Obituary of Jesse Aaron Schoff

Jesse Aaron Schoff

1986-2019

Jesse was a creator, an artist, an explorer. His explorations brought him to the tops of mountains, to the bottom of the sea with diving, to far away sci-fi worlds through books, to emotional landscapes through music. His creative expression was vast; he wrote, painted, and built. Through his work he created interactive websites that often incorporated his passion for photography, while also independently managing and hosting numerous websites for clients across multiple industries. He was able to seamlessly combine technology and nature. Most importantly he was always eager to share his creativity and his breadth of knowledge with anyone with an ear to listen.

Born in Madison, WI and raised in Duluth, MN Jesse had a passion for the outdoors. He loved snowmobiling and cabin time in the winter, and lived for bonfires and fun on the lake in the summer. He graduated from Marshall School in 2004 and attended University of San Francisco, University of the Americas Puebla, Mexico, and finished at Augsburg College with a joint major in computer science and English, with a focus in creative writing.

Jesse worked at TRIA Orthopaedic Center as Head of Web Development and then Snap Agency as Director of Technology, while maintaining his own private contracting service building and hosting websites.

His essence lives on in the paintings he created, often with individuals in mind to give them to, as well as in his multitude of playlists followed by many. Jesse felt that music was a part of him, and his insides were etched with the lyrics of the music that moved him. He lived and felt intensely and he cared deeply. Jesse lived for his relationships, often stating friends and family sustained him, inspired him, and were his spiritual base.

We will forever miss him and long for his presence, we have learned so much from him and will hold tight to his memory. He is survived by a long list of friends and family who loved him; sister Ainsley Schoff, mother Mary Johnson and father Patrick Schoff, stepfather Tom Klassen, step siblings Sam, Abbey and Paige Klassen, stepmother Julie Schoff and step brothers Tom, Dan and Jack Hazelton. Also survived by several close and loving aunts, uncles and cousins of the Johnson and Schoff families.

Jesse was open about his struggle with mental health and addiction. We will never be able to heal Jesse’s pain, but in an attempt to help others we have set up a fund in Jesse’s honor supporting addiction research at the University of Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation. Please use the following link and select the box under Special Options to enter Jesse’s name https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/fund.html?id=21976. You may also make checks payable to the University of Minnesota Foundation - fund #21976 and include Jesse Schoff in the memo line. Please mail to P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486-0266. A private gathering for family and close friends is being planned.