August 21, 1934 – June 9, 2026
Betty Lou (Dodge) Hofschulte, age 91, formerly of Silver Bay, MN, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN.
Betty was born on August 21, 1934, in Rochester, MN, to James and Agnes Dodge. She graduated Rochester High School and worked at the Rochester Public Library for 5 years. She met Carl Hofschulte, they married on June 30, 1956. They moved to Silver Bay and raised four children.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, the Finland Snowmobile Club, the Finland Historical Society, the Whole Foods Co-op, and the Lake County Chamber.
Betty’s life’s work was Betty’s Cabins, which she owned and operated for 51 years. More than a business, it was a place where lasting friendships were made and cherished memories were created. Betty treasured the countless people she met through the resort over the years and enjoyed welcoming generations of families who returned year after year. The relationships she built and the hospitality she shared became an important part of her legacy.
In her free time, Betty enjoyed gardening, quilting, counted cross-stitch, crocheting, weaving rugs and visiting her local library to find new reading material.
Most of all, Betty loved to travel. Whether camping, traveling by car, bus, Amtrak or plane, setting out on her own, or sharing adventures with friends, she was always eager to see new places. She often said there were only two states she had never visited—Oregon and Hawaii. Her adventurous spirit, curiosity, and independence remained with her throughout her life.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; her son, Mark; her parents, James and Agnes Dodge; her sister, Joan West; and her brother-in-law, Glyndon West.
She is survived by her brother, Stanley (Susan) Dodge of Rochester; her sons, Gary Hofschulte of Silver Bay; David (Tammy) Hofschulte of Rochester; her daughter, Carla Floen (Jim Lehn) of Park Rapids; her grandchildren, Adam, Amber, Joshua, Jacob, and Michael; numerous great-grandchildren.
The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga for the exceptional care, kindness, and dignity they provided to Betty.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., with a luncheon immediately following. Interment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Viola, MN.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Hofschulte family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit http://www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.
