Obituary for Ellwood "Woody" Hoiseth

Ellwood “Woody” Hoiseth passed away on September 8, 2024, of natural causes.

Hoiseth was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1936 and had a successful career as a music educator. He graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School where he discovered his passion for music and sports. Hoiseth attended St. Cloud State University, earning a bachelor’s degree before earning a master’s degree from MacPhail College of Music.

Hoiseth started his teaching career at Brooten High School in 1958 before taking a job at Osseo High School in 1960. He then opened Park Center High School in 1971, and his first task at the new school was to write the school song, which is still played at home events. Hoiseth spent 32 years in the Osseo School District as a band director and instrumental music department supervisor before retiring in 1992. Among his many great career achievements, Hoiseth was named the Osseo Teacher-of-the-Year in 1967, and his marching band at Park Center earned the WCCO Football Marching Band-of-the-Year in 1971.

In addition to his career as a high school teacher and administrator, Hoiseth was the president of Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) from 1979-81. He later served as the executive director (1991-93) and opened an office with the organization’s first staff member. Hoiseth was also the president of the National Association for Music Education (formerly MENC) North Central Division (1986-88), which encompassed 10 states in the Midwest region.

Hoiseth was part of a four-piece dance band that performed at weddings and local events from 1957-87. He liked to travel and would regularly take vacations with his family to Florida and Colorado. An avid Minnesota sports fan, Hoiseth spent much of his retirement watching the Timberwolves, Vikings, Twins, Gophers, and Lynx.

Hoiseth is survived by his wife, Pauline; children, Sandy (Dean) DesJardins, Lori Lenz, and Brad (Wendy) Hoiseth; stepchildren, Jennifer (Gordy) Thom Shaw and Jason (Brenda) Thom; 10 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

A visitation has been scheduled from 1-3 PM Wednesday, October 9, 2024 with a celebration of life to follow 3 PM at the Evans-Nordby Funeral Home, 34 2nd St. NE, Osseo, MN.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) or a charity of your choice.