1910
Walter
2011
Walter Hokanson
April 9, 1910 — April 5, 2011
Funeral services for Walter "Slim" Hokanson of Morris, MN will be held Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Morris. Reverend Ali Boomershine will be officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris. Military rites will be provided by the Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.
Walter Osborn Bernard Hokanson, "Slim,"son of Olaf and Nellie (Walstad) Hokanson, was born April 9, 1910 in Urness Township, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Urness Township near Evansville. He attended country school and graduated from the West Central School of Agriculture in the class of 1930. On August 25, 1934 he was united in marriage to Lily Anderson. They moved into the 3rd floor of the Dining Hall on the campus and later moved to the big farm house across from the dairy barn, where they raised their four children. After retiring in 1975, they built a new home on East 7th St, Morris and lived happily ever after!
Slim's first and only fulltime career was with the West Central School of Agriculture and the Experiment Station where he was the Dairy Herdsman. He worked in that position for nearly 45 years.
As a side line business he was a bee keeper for as many as 600 colonies and processed the honey under the business name of Elm Ridge Apiary. Walter was a 24 year member of the National Guard and the Minnesota State Guard for 6 years. He was also active in the Sons of Norway Lodge.
Walter was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Morris from 1936 until his death. He was involved at First Lutheran as an usher for many years and served on the Board of West Central Christian Homes.
Following his retirement a whole new list of interests arose. He became a Master Gardener for the University of Minnesota, and specialized in evergreens and mums. He began an avid walking and running program running his first 10K at the age of 72. He switched to biking and once took a 10 day trip in the Black Hills with Jim Klobuchar, biking 500 miles in a week. His extensive cream separator collection numbering over 200 required its own building and showcased his interest in dairy.
Slim went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at the West Wind Village in Morris, four days short of his 101st birthday.
He is survived by daughter, Sheryl (Vernon) Eystad of Kensington, MN; sons Robert (Diann) Hokanson, of Happy Camp, CA, Rolland (Joan) Hokanson of New Brighton, MN, and Steven (Randee) Hokanson of Morris, MN; 18 grandchildren, 38 great grand-children and 2 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-laws Mayme Hokanson and Edna Dohmstreich. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lily, his parents, his sisters, Josephine and Gladys; brother, Lloyd; and baby boy Eystad.
Pallbearers for the service are Slim's grandchildren: Tim Eystad, Tom Eystad, Tami Presler, Tony Eystad, Todd Eystad, Misti Hawkins, Dan Hokanson, Eric Hokanson, Matthew Hokanson, Kayla Nadig, Nikki Hokanson, Mitchell Hokanson, Paul Hokanson, Mark Hokanson, Jon Hokanson, Robert Hokanson, Scott Hokanson and Heidi Hokanson. Honorary pallbearers are: Dennis Johnson, Marv Ryan, Harley Hanke, Joe Riley and Les Lindor. Deb Mahoney will serve as pianist for the service with Linda and Ken Hodgson serving as soloist/song leaders. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
To send online condolences to the family please visit www.pedersenfh.com.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS THE FAMILY PREFERS MEMORIALS TO MISSIONARY FOR A DAY AT 1ST LUTHERAN CHURCH, WCROC HORTICULTURE GARDENS AND THE STEVENS COUNTY MUSEUM.
Walter Osborn Bernard Hokanson, "Slim,"son of Olaf and Nellie (Walstad) Hokanson, was born April 9, 1910 in Urness Township, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Urness Township near Evansville. He attended country school and graduated from the West Central School of Agriculture in the class of 1930. On August 25, 1934 he was united in marriage to Lily Anderson. They moved into the 3rd floor of the Dining Hall on the campus and later moved to the big farm house across from the dairy barn, where they raised their four children. After retiring in 1975, they built a new home on East 7th St, Morris and lived happily ever after!
Slim's first and only fulltime career was with the West Central School of Agriculture and the Experiment Station where he was the Dairy Herdsman. He worked in that position for nearly 45 years.
As a side line business he was a bee keeper for as many as 600 colonies and processed the honey under the business name of Elm Ridge Apiary. Walter was a 24 year member of the National Guard and the Minnesota State Guard for 6 years. He was also active in the Sons of Norway Lodge.
Walter was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Morris from 1936 until his death. He was involved at First Lutheran as an usher for many years and served on the Board of West Central Christian Homes.
Following his retirement a whole new list of interests arose. He became a Master Gardener for the University of Minnesota, and specialized in evergreens and mums. He began an avid walking and running program running his first 10K at the age of 72. He switched to biking and once took a 10 day trip in the Black Hills with Jim Klobuchar, biking 500 miles in a week. His extensive cream separator collection numbering over 200 required its own building and showcased his interest in dairy.
Slim went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at the West Wind Village in Morris, four days short of his 101st birthday.
He is survived by daughter, Sheryl (Vernon) Eystad of Kensington, MN; sons Robert (Diann) Hokanson, of Happy Camp, CA, Rolland (Joan) Hokanson of New Brighton, MN, and Steven (Randee) Hokanson of Morris, MN; 18 grandchildren, 38 great grand-children and 2 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-laws Mayme Hokanson and Edna Dohmstreich. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lily, his parents, his sisters, Josephine and Gladys; brother, Lloyd; and baby boy Eystad.
Pallbearers for the service are Slim's grandchildren: Tim Eystad, Tom Eystad, Tami Presler, Tony Eystad, Todd Eystad, Misti Hawkins, Dan Hokanson, Eric Hokanson, Matthew Hokanson, Kayla Nadig, Nikki Hokanson, Mitchell Hokanson, Paul Hokanson, Mark Hokanson, Jon Hokanson, Robert Hokanson, Scott Hokanson and Heidi Hokanson. Honorary pallbearers are: Dennis Johnson, Marv Ryan, Harley Hanke, Joe Riley and Les Lindor. Deb Mahoney will serve as pianist for the service with Linda and Ken Hodgson serving as soloist/song leaders. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
To send online condolences to the family please visit www.pedersenfh.com.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS THE FAMILY PREFERS MEMORIALS TO MISSIONARY FOR A DAY AT 1ST LUTHERAN CHURCH, WCROC HORTICULTURE GARDENS AND THE STEVENS COUNTY MUSEUM.
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