Phyllis Ann Hokanson

Phyllis A. Hokanson, 71, Rosholt, SD, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2015, at her home in Rosholt.

Funeral Mass was Saturday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Rosholt with Father Jerome Ranek officiating. Music was provided by organist Lana Sand.

Burial was in the Hillside Cemetery, Rosholt. Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters Madeline and Addison Syverson, Mackenzie and Anna Eggers, Sierra, Sasha and Halle Hokanson and Sydney Hokanson. Active pallbearers were Wayne Hokanson, Darren Hokanson, Ron Heesch, Kelly Eggers, Austin Eggers, Alec Heesch and Ethan Hokanson.

Visitation was Friday from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt. Visitation continued Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Phyllis Ann was born September 12, 1943, to Lester and Mazie (Swartz) LeClair in Southwest City, MO. She was baptized in Neosho, MO, and the family moved to Rosholt, SD, when she was an infant. Phyllis was confirmed at St. John's Catholic Church in Rosholt. She attended school in Rosholt, graduating from Rosholt High School in 1961. Phyllis then went to South Dakota State College in Brookings for a year and then moved to Minneapolis where she worked for IDS.

On June 20, 1964, Phyllis married Dennis Hokanson at St. John's Catholic Church in Rosholt. Together they raised five children on a farm southwest of Rosholt. Phyllis enjoyed being a farm wife, driving tractor, mowing lawn, making meals and taking care of her cats and dogs. In 1984, once her kids were all in school, Phyllis was employed as the secretary at Rosholt High School. She enjoyed visiting with all the students in the office and watching them grow. After 26 years, she retired May 21, 2010.

Phyllis was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Rosholt, where she served on the altar society and was a CCD teacher. She was the co-leader of the Cloverettes and the Harmony Hustlers 4-H club for several years helping her children with multiple projects.

Phyllis loved being outside and spent many hours in her flower gardens. She had a knack for decorating, always knowing the perfect choice for color and décor. Shopping and traveling were her passion, always ready to jump in the car. She was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins. Above all, she loved spending time with her family, especially attending all of the grandchildren's sporting events and activities. She had a warm, generous heart, always finding ways to make them feel special.

Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Dennis of Rosholt; five children and eleven grandchildren, Melissa (Ron) Heesch and Alec of Christine, ND, Leah Syverson, Madeline and Addison of St. Cloud, MN, Jill (Kelly) Eggers, Austin, Mackenzie and Anna of Rosholt, Wayne (Lorie) Hokanson, Sierra, Sasha and Halle of Rosholt, and Darren (Rhonda) Hokanson, Sydney and Ethan of Sioux Falls, SD; two sisters, Lana (Tony) Schiltz of Rosholt, and Ina (George) Akerson of Lincoln, NE; two sisters-in-law, Burlene LeClair of Seguin, TX, and Bert LeClair of Garden City, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Les and Mazie; and three brothers, Curt, David, and Randy LeClair.