Hofher, Emily Hope
February 4, 1975 – October 15, 2019
Age 44 of Minneapolis. Emily Hope Hofher, 44, died of cancer on October 15, 2019, at her home in Minneapolis, MN, where she lived with her husband Robert Raub, and their daughter Ruby Irene Raub, 3. Born February 4, 1975, in Gainesville, Florida, Emily grew up in the Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis and in Stillwater, Minnesota. She traveled extensively, and lived in Istanbul, Thailand, and Taiwan. She felt a strong connection to Powderhorn, recalling beautiful memories of childhood with her mother Karin and her maternal grandparents, and eventually made her home there. Emily was passionate about her career as a school librarian. She studied English Literature at Hamline University, and completed a Masters in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She taught at Chippewa Middle School and South View Middle School. Emily lived with an urgency and excitement to learn and explore. Always up for new adventures, she worked as a dive instructor in Thailand and on a cruise ship, and as an English teacher in Istanbul and Taiwan. She actively worked to make positive change in the world and generously shared her time and energy toward community-building, notably with involvement in the GLBT Host Home Program to support GLBTQ young adults who experience homelessness. Active in the transracial adoption community, Emily and Rob connected with other parents, and pursued education and support. More important than the facts of her life was how she lived and moved through the world, with a unique and inspiring sparkle. She was intelligent, mischievous, and had a gift for theatrical flair and storytelling. Her endless curiosity, openness, and ability to communicate on a deep level formed immediate and lasting friendships. She took every opportunity to connect her extensive chosen family with each other, and never missed an opportunity to celebrate or host a party. Emily is survived by her husband and daughter, her mother Karin Eide, brother Spencer Rossbach, and stepfather Rich Rossbach. She was preceded in death by her father Jim Hofher, grandparents Leif and Irene Eide and Clarence James and Bertha Alice Hofher, aunt Debbie Hofher Haines, and uncle Rolf Eide. Emily chose a green burial, allowing her body to recycle naturally. She worked with a KARE11 journalist, documenting the process to raise awareness of this option; the story’s anticipated release date is February, 2020. Emily was saddened by the plight of immigrant children separated from their parents, so rather than sending flowers, she asked that memorials be made to RAICES, a nonprofit agency providing free legal services to immigrants and refugees. She requested that “in lieu of sympathy cards, write a letter or card to an older Ruby, telling her a memory you have of her mother. Funny is ok. It doesn’t have to be Hallmark heart warming.” Letters can be mailed to 3432 18th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55407. The memorial service, officiated by Celebrant Anne Murphy, will be held at Mindekirken, the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, 924 E. 21st St. in Minneapolis, at 3:00pm on Saturday, October 19, with refreshments to follow. Emily requested traditional funeral attire. She will be interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Minneapolis.