Lois Joy Hofmann—visionary business leader, intrepid world explorer, and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend—passed away peacefully on Oct. 17, 2026, at the age of 84 in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, with her loving family at her side.
Born on Jan. 5, 1942, in Cushing, Wisconsin, as the firstborn child of Lester and Sigrid (Larson) Glassel, Lois soon displayed the spunk, curiosity, and independent spirit that would define her life. When she was nine years old, she gave her life to Jesus and was baptized at Eureka Baptist Church in Eureka, Wisconsin. She grew up in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, where she attended high school and won scholarships to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Later, while raising her son and daughter as a single mother, she furthered her education by attending night school at the University of Minnesota in a male-dominated engineering field, laying the groundwork for a career that crossed traditional boundaries.
In the business world, Lois was a true vanguard. After working in the nascent computer industry in the early 1970s, she founded her own advertising agency, Crandell Communications, which served top Twin Cities medical corporations. When her children were grown, she moved to San Diego, where she became President and Chief Executive Officer of Genetronics Biomedical. The position offered everything she wanted—including a devoted husband! Lois married her soulmate, Genetronics founder and scientist Gunter Hofmann, on May 27, 1995.
As Lois guided the San Diego biotech firm, which developed breakthrough cancer treatment technologies, she shattered the era’s nearly impenetrable corporate glass ceiling. She was one of only a few dozen women to ever take a company public on a major North American stock exchange, and, remarkably, she did so when female CEOs led less than one percent of public corporations and virtually none helmed firms at the forefront of science or technology. Her leadership, vision, and entrepreneurial tenacity made her a true trailblazer for women in both leadership and biotech.
During their “retirement,” Lois and Gunter embraced another rare challenge: world circumnavigation on a 43-foot catamaran. From 2000 to 2008, Lois navigated the open sea on Pacific Bliss with Gunter as captain, sailing 34,000 miles around the world and visiting 62 countries.
Her voyages gave outlet for another passion: storytelling. She chronicled their journey through blogs on her website, back in the days when she had to upload her posts at remote internet cafes in exotic lands. Upon completing their travels, Lois published her travel trilogy, “In Search of Adventure and Moments of Bliss,” featuring her award-winning writing and stunning photography.
In 2012, Lois and Gunter bought a home in Balsam Lake and began dividing their time between Mission Bay in California and South White Ash Lake in Wisconsin. From spring to fall each year, Lois channeled her exuberance into creating a beautiful, welcoming retreat for extended family gatherings. The vibrant flowerbeds, rain garden with native flora, and luxuriant lakeside trail she designed showcase her love for God’s creation and her phenomenal green thumb. For the last fourteen years, family and friends from Europe and around the U.S. have gathered to bask in the beauty, peace, and fellowship of Northern Bliss.
Beyond her historic professional milestones and personal adventures, Lois will be remembered most for her wisdom, curiosity, creativity, and generosity. Her ability to dream big, set goals, and accomplish what she set out to do inspired everyone she met. She loved encouraging others to find and pursue their passions. She believed in giving back, so she volunteered her time and gave generously to several charities, including Uplift San Diego, Polk County Museum, and Camp WaPo near Amery, Wisconsin.
Lois was preceded in death by her mother and father; sisters, Esther Lee and Ruth Grace; and brothers, Mark and Jon Glassel.
She is survived and forever cherished by her husband, Gunter Hofmann; daughter, Kim (Mike) Mowers; sons, Jeff (Joellen) Caldwell and Jerry (Sherri) Baack; stepchildren, Markus (Sabine) Hofmann and Simone Mueller-Timm; grandchildren, Cody (Bonnie) Caldwell, Brett (Valerie) Caldwell, Holly (Kyle) Ricke, Chelsey Mowers, and Manuel Timm; great-grandchildren, Trey Mowers, Tristan Mowers, and Arthur Caldwell; brothers, Dave, Dan (Dee), and Tim (Jeanette) Glassel; and sisters, Loretta (John) Ekdahl and Rebecca (Bob Miller) Hope; many special nephews and nieces; cruising friends; writer friends; and many other dear friends. Their lives have been shaped and enriched by her love, wisdom, and example.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Apple River Community Church, Amery.
Despite Lois’s love of flowers, the family requests no flowers or gifts. If you would like to honor Lois with a gift, consider donating in her name to Apple River Community Church, Amery, giving.myamplify.io//app/giving/Appl9999229.
