Gabriel LeRoy Kofstad

Gabriel LeRoy “Gabe” Kofstad, 44, of Ellendale, went to be with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ August 25, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic- Methodist Campus in Rochester, MN, following a five-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was a devoted husband, dad, & grandpa.

Born on December 30, 1980, in Waseca, Gabe was the cherished son of Lynne (Wallin) Kofstad and the late David Kofstad. Gabe was the fourth born of the five children and the youngest boy. He proudly called himself a “momma’s boy”.

Gabe graduated from NRHEG High School in 1999, where he excelled in both football and track. After graduation, he coached track and played in a summer volleyball league for several years. After school, Gabe built a career in construction, landscaping, and as a Parts Associate at L&D Ag. He was known for his exceptional craftsmanship and meticulous handiwork. He loved driving around southern Minnesota and pointing out, “I helped build that.”

Gabe and Laurel met in June 2008 and finally married in May 2015. They built a life in New Richland, raising their five children together. They attended Vibrant Life church together and enjoyed spending their summers outdoors. In particular, sitting on the tailgate of the truck watching it rain, taking family biking trips, and going camping.

A man of great faith and a devoted member of Vibrant Life Church, Gabe radiated care for others, possessing a true servant's heart. In June 2023, Gabe and Laurel took a bold step, selling their home and possessions to embrace a life of travel as “RV Volunteers.” Together, they traveled around the United States, restoring and rebuilding churches and camps in need. He loved to tell his story and his testimony to anybody who would listen.

Gabe loved to stay busy. In his downtime, he enjoyed fishing, hiking, biking, watching football, and playing retro Nintendo. Some of his fondest memories were riding in the semi with his Dad, fishing with Uncle Davey, lunches with Uncle Randy, and hiking in Glacier National Park.

Gabe will be remembered for his unwavering faith, resolute decisions, and traditional ways. Above all, Gabe was a devoted husband, dad, and grandpa. He made it a point to stay connected with family even while on the road.

In addition to his wife of 10 years, Laurel Kofstad, those left to cherish Gabe’s memory include his five children, Austin, Sydney, Olivia, Madelynn, and Deacon Kofstad; a grandson, Archer Brown; his mother, Lynne Kofstad; brothers, Jason and Isaac (Martha) Kofstad; sisters, Annie (Adam) Morstad and Emily (Scott) Poeschl; maternal grandfather, Duane Wallin; parents-in-law, Karla (Alan) Colby and Ken (Sandy) Neeld; a sister-in-law, Amanda Karaba; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Gabe was preceded in death by his father, David Kofstad; his paternal grandparents, LeRoy and Bonnie Kofstad; his maternal grandmother, Arlys Eastvold; and Laurel’s grandpa, Ken Neeld

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Vibrant Life Church, 702 3rd St N., Ellendale, with a visitation beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held at Hartland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family as they navigate this difficult time and honor Gabe’s memory.

A Letter Prepare by Gabe before his passing:

My name is Gabe Kofstad. Five years ago, my family and I received news that seems all too familiar these days, "You have cancer". I was diagnosed with colon cancer that had already metastasized to my liver. The doctors were also suspicious of a spot on my right lung. In the first six months I received 12 chemo treatments and had surgery to remove the colon tumor and the cancer from my liver. All went very well and was successful in removing the cancer from those areas. Unfortunately, the suspicious spot on my right lung continued to grow and in May of 2021 I had surgery to remove it. It was successful as well. Over the next year and a half things kind of got back to normal. I had regular scans, blood work and consultations every three months. During that time unfortunately more spots were detected on both lungs. In September of 2022 I had another surgery on my left lung. Again, it was successful. As we moved into 2023, they decided I needed to have surgery on both lungs again. So, in February they worked on the right lung and in late March they worked on the left lung. After those surgeries I had 15 rounds of radiation on a spot that could not be surgically removed. While all this was going on God was working in a way we could have never imagined. He was calling my wife Laurel and I to sell our house, most of our possessions and buy an RV to live in full time so we could join a program called RV Volunteers. Since late June of 2023 we have been living in our RV full time and traveling around the country from fall until spring doing volunteer work for churches and camps in need of help. This time of life has been so blessed not just because of the work we have accomplished but because of the wonderful people we have met and been able share our testimony with. During our travels I had to continue with chemotherapy treatments which had been successful until this spring/summer. We recently learned that the cancer has continued to grow and has metastasized into my right hip bones, sternum, and a couple of vertebrae in my back. I am starting a new/different chemotherapy now and considering radiation therapy for my hip and sternum. I have also been seeing a doctor who practices alternative medicines. This has helped aid in recovery from the chemotherapy as well as keeping my immune system strong. The alternative medicine is not covered by insurance, so everything is paid out of pocket. We have been blessed so far to have had several people help with those expenses. Unfortunately, due to the damage in my lungs and the hip pain from the cancer I have been extremely limited in how much I can work, and Laurel has been limited as well due to appointments with me and our son Deacon. Overall, the last five years we have been incredibly blessed through the trials and ups and downs of cancer. The support that we have received from family, friends, our church family, and even strangers has been tremendous, and we are so grateful. We look forward to positive results through the upcoming treatments so we can continue to serve God and further his kingdom here on earth. God Bless and we thank you in advance for your support.

"Be strong and courageous for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9