Noel Hoilien died on September 10, 2026, at his home, surrounded by family. He was 50 years old.

He loved Jesus. He loved his family. And he loved others more than himself.

Noel was a man of extraordinary gifts. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and he earned his PhD in electrical engineering in 2003. He became a brilliant engineer, spending his entire career at Polar Semiconductor in Bloomington, MN. He was named on 19 patents throughout his career, and his high intelligence and aptitude were truly gifts from God.

But what made his brilliance remarkable was not simply how much he knew. It was how he used it.

He used his brilliance to help people.

Noel was wise and discerning, and he listened carefully to people and to God. He was a trusted counselor to many and generous with his wisdom. He asked good questions and made people feel seen.

He was selfless, patient, steady, kind, gentle, caring, humble, genuine, witty, thoughtful, and godly. He was strong—very strong—but his strength was rarely loud.

In fact, he was not loud at all. But his presence was loud.

He was slow to speak, but when he talked, people listened. What he said was important. Looking back, we probably should have listened more and let him talk.

He thought carefully about what to say and how to say it. He was willing to say hard things when hard things needed to be said, but he did so with wisdom and grace. He frequently said insanely witty one-liners that you had to listen carefully to catch.

He lived by “in all things consider others more important than yourselves.”

His Family

Noel and Heidi met in middle school in Eau Claire. Their first date was the winter carnival during their senior year of high school, 32 years ago. After going to college in different states, they married after graduation, sharing 28 years of sweet marriage.

Two becoming one, building a life together—a marriage, a family, a home, and a deepened faith through years of adventures together.

Noel made Heidi his pride and joy. He honored her well, prioritizing her and putting her first.

Noel was an incredible dad to his four children: Caleb, Elliot, Jesse, and Maya. For 24 years, he was present as dad. He asked questions, he listened, and he taught them how to think deeply. He counseled them, challenged them, laughed with them, and helped them make wise decisions.

He also helped lay the foundation of their faith, pointing them toward Jesus and teaching them to listen to God and seek His wisdom.

His children will miss the big things, but they will also miss the little things. They will miss his questions. His prayers. His voice. His steady presence.

Noel created a massive amount of safety for the people around him, often at a cost to himself. He created stability—emotional, financial, and relational. He carried a lot of strength, and he did this so that other people could carry less.

His children are proud of the home he helped create—not because it was perfect, but because it was stable, safe, loving, and faithfully built on the firm foundation of the Lord.

A Life Given to Others

Noel loved welcoming people into his and Heidi’s home. He was deeply hospitable. People were welcomed at his table, in his home, and into his life.

Noel knew how to live well. And he cared about how to use his life rightly. He wanted to use the gifts God had given him well—his intelligence, strength, time, wisdom, resources, and influence.

When cancer came, that did not change. Noel even prayed about how to use his cancer well. How could he honor God in it? How could he love people through it? How could he use even this for God’s purposes?

He wanted his whole life to count. Not for his own glory, but for God’s glory and for the good of others.

His Faith

Noel knew he was loved by Jesus. His faith was not something separate from the rest of his life, but the foundation underneath it.

These Scriptures were meaningful to Noel and to those closest to him:

Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Philippians 1:21 – “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Psalm 16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Psalm 34:8 – “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

1 John 5:12 – “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Noel’s family is grateful for their years together. Grateful for 28 years of marriage. Grateful for four incredible children. Grateful for the home built and the people welcomed into it. Grateful for Noel’s brilliant mind, his generous heart, his strength, his wisdom, and the way he loved so well. Truly, the lines have fallen in pleasant places.

We are heartbroken that our time with Noel here is finished, but we know this is not the end.

Noel loved Jesus, and he lived his life trusting Him. “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Noel is survived by his wife, Heidi; his children, Caleb Hoilien (Bethany), Elliot Hoilien (Eva), Jesse Hoilien, and Maya Hoilien; his parents, Philip and Jeanne Hoilien; his brother, Brad Hoilien (Kari); his sister, Melissa Thomas (Daniel); and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his grandparents.

Noel’s memorial service will be Saturday, September 19, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 720 13th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Visitation at 10:00am, service at 11:00am, with a private interment to follow at Elmhurst Cemetery.

Noel’s Caring Bridge: (Link)

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to:

Hope Academy: Hope and Help Crisis Relief Fund

~ This fund provides short-term, emergency assistance to the families and staff of Hope Academy during unexpected crises. These one-time gifts help stabilize homes so children can remain focused on learning, and staff can continue serving our mission. Every dollar goes directly toward meeting urgent needs with compassion, discernment, and wise stewardship allowing us to live out Galatians 6:2 to “Bear one another’s burdens.”

~ https://www.hopeacademympls.org/give-hope-help

Family celebration fund to support ways the Hoilien family will be celebrating in the future:

~ Venmo @Heidi-Hoilien (put “Noel’s Family Celebration Fund” in memo) 

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