Dennis Hokanson

Dennis E. Hokanson, age 80, Rosholt, passed away Thursday, March 16, 2023, at the Countryside Inn in Rosholt.

Funeral Mass will be Monday, March 20, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Rosholt.  Visitation will be Monday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Rosholt.

Dennis Eugene was born November 28, 1942, along with twin brother Donald, to John E. and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Hokanson in Sisseton. He grew up in rural Rosholt attending country school at Harmon Township. Dennis graduated with the Class of '60 from Rosholt High School. He then attended NDSSS and graduated with a degree in diesel mechanics. After finishing school, he returned home to farm with his dad.

On June 20, 1964, Dennis married Phyllis LeClair at St. John's Catholic Church in Rosholt. Together, they raised five kids: Melissa, Leah, Jill, Wayne, and Darren. Dennis continued to farm and raise cattle on the Hokanson Homestead farm southwest of Rosholt. He spent hours overlooking the lake and the pastures. In May 2015, Dennis and Phyllis moved to town. Phyllis passed away May 21, 2015. Dennis made his home at the Countryside Inn in Rosholt in December 2019.

Dennis was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. He served on the Rosholt Elevator board for many years.

Dennis enjoyed checking the crops, going to auction sales, and tinkering in the shop.  He also loved his Coca Cola, donuts, and a little ice cream with his Hershey's syrup.  Dennis had the kindest heart. He always had a wave and a smile for everyone.

Family was very important to Dennis. He thoroughly enjoyed having all the grandkids out to the farm and supplying them with outdoor adventures, ice cream and cookies. He loved taking them to Victor and buying them all pull tabs until each one won a candy bar. He was always on the lookout for another Go Kart or snowmobile for the kids.  Dennis attended many, many ballgames over the years.

Survivors include his children, Melissa (Ron) Heesch of Christine, ND, Leah Syverson of St. Cloud, MN, Jill (Kelly) Eggers of Rosholt, Wayne (Lorie) Hokanson of Rosholt, and Darren Hokanson of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Austin Eggers, Mackenzie (Matthew) Wieser, Madeline (Jake Frishman) Syverson, Sierra (Adam) Krueger, Alec (Jamie Ronning) Heesch, Sasha (Austin) Gilbertson, Anna (Jared Rohloff) Eggers, Addison (Jake Bennett) Syverson, Sydney Hokanson, Halle Hokanson, and Ethan Hokanson; four great-grandchildren, Mazie and Elsie Krueger and Josie and Freddy Wieser; sisters-in-law, Lana Schiltz, Ina (George) Akerson, Burlene LeClair and Roberta LeClair; and several nieces and nephews.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; twin brother, Donald; parents, Johnny and Elizabeth; in-laws, Lester and Mazie (Swartz) LeClair; and brothers-in-law, Tony Schiltz and Curt, David, and Randy LeClair.