Alden D. “Hokie” Hokanson

Alden Hokanson, 91, Two Harbors, died Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, in Ecumen Scenic Shores.

He was born June 20, 1920, to Axel and Clara Hokanson in Hinckley, Minn. After graduating from Hinckley High School in 1938, he worked on the family farm until enlisting in the Army in 1945. He served in the 77th Infantry Division in the South Pacific until his discharge in May 1946. In 1947 he married the love of his life, Margaret Mallory, and they moved to Two Harbors in 1951. He was employed by the DM&IR Railroad Telephone Company (later Gopher State and Contel) until retiring in 1983 due to his health.

Alden liked to golf, bowl, curl, hunt, square dance, and camp. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council, and was chairman of the property committee for many years. He was also a member of American Legion Post #109.

Because Alden resided in a nursing home, visitors were important to him. He gave back more than he knew to the visitors that came, as his eyes lit up with recognition and his special smile appeared. He especially enjoyed visits from his great-granddaughters and loved to talk with them and watch their every move.

Alden was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Margaret; daughters, Cindy (Mace) Maher of Two Harbors, Pam (Jim) Jensen of Kellogg, Minn., and Pat (Gregg) Townsend of Tucson, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Jeni (Mike) Torgerson of Two Harbors, Tammy (Nate) Higgins of Prior Lake, Annie (Patrick) Shanahan of Buckeye, Ariz., Ben Townsend of San Diego, Calif., and Steve Townsend of Scottsdale, Ariz.; nine great-granddaughters, Lita, Brynn, Bree, and Brooke Torgerson, Avari and Rilyn Higgins, Celia, Autumn, and Glory Shanahan; two step-grandchildren, Martin (Debbie) Maher and Ann (Howard) Rogotzke; three step-great-grandchildren, Elise and Ben Rogotzke, and Haily Maher; a brother, Gerald of Long Beach, Calif., and a sister, Arlene Harth of Hinckley.

Visitation was from noon until the 1 p.m. service Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Two Harbors. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook please go to www.cavallinfuneralhome.com

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