Roy "Coach" Hokkanen

Roy 'Coach' Hokkanen, 77, of rural Virginia, died Friday, Sept. 17, 2004 at the Virginia Regional Medical Center. He was born Nov. 16, 1926 to Matt and Turna (Kangas) Hokkanen in Virginia. He attended kindergarten in Virginia and attended grade school in Sandy Township where he resided. He graduated from Embarrass High School in 1944. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Air Force Armed Service and was transferred into the Army. He served in Germany with the Military Police. Roy attended college at Drake University in Iowa and transferred to the University of North Dakota-Grand Forks graduating in 1951 and also received his Masters degree in 1961. Roy was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers but chose to continue his education. Roy married Virginia Mae Uggerud on Aug. 30, 1952. They lived, taught, and coached in Bowbells, N. D., Oklee, Minn. for 15 years, Toivola-Meadowlands for 3 years, and Cook, Minn. for 14 years. He retired after 36 years of teaching and coaching. He coached for 4 years in Cotton and was recruited by Pepper Lysaker as an Assistant Coach for Mesabi Community College Football team for 10 years. Roy was inducted in the Minnesota State Coaches Hall of Fame and the Football Hall of Fame of Minnesota. He avidly enjoyed his Finnish heritage and belonged to the Kaleva Hall, American Legion Post in Virginia and the VFW in Thief River Falls, Minn. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and harvesting his numerous potato crops. He was preceded in death by his parents, Matt and Turna. Survivors include, his wife, Virginia Hokkanen, of Virginia; children Shirley (Mike) Granley of Virginia, Randy Hokkanen and special friend Mary Ann of Virginia, Carol (Steve) Miettunen of Virginia, Marian (Don) Debeltz of Grand Forks, N.D., Phyllis Hokkanen of Virginia; grandchildren Christopher Granley, special friend Kacey, Danielle Granley, fiance Steve, Jennifer (Tony) Bastianelli, Ashley Miettunen, fiance Dustin, Jared Miettunen, Casey, Jon, Samantha and Kelly Debeltz, and Andrew Milbridge and Madison Hokkanen; and special dog, Koko. VISITATION:5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Range Funeral Home in Virginia, and will continue one hour prior to the 1 p.m. funeral service, Tuesday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Virginia. Pastor Robert Simensen will officiate. Burial will be in Sandy Cemetery/North. Military rites will be accorded by the Virginia Color Guard. Arrangements are by the Range Funeral Home in Virginia.