Grace W. Hokanson

Grace Hokanson, 91, died Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Stevens' Homes Plus, rural Barrett. Grace Winifred Hokanson was born at home on March 24, 1922, near Randall, Minnesota, in Morrison County. She was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on April 21, 2013. Grace was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents Oscar and Della Taylor, siblings Ernest, Bert, George, William, Hazel and Alice. She is survived by her sister Vernie, and five children and their spouses, 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. As a young child, Grace and her siblings walked to a one-room schoolhouse in Clough Township. She carried her lunch in a tin pail each day and heated it on the wood stove. When Grace was sixteen, she lived in family homes helping mothers with newborn babies. The Taylor family rented farmland in Clough Township that became part of Camp Ripley by Little Falls, Minnesota. Several of the family members were very musical and played regularly at civic functions. Grace gave her life to the Lord on December 6, 1943, at a Presbyterian revival. Her friends encouraged her to attend Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis. During this time, she felt called to the mission field. She traveled by train to Oklahoma to work with the "Go Ye Mission." Grace drove a Model-A Ford up and down western Oklahoma. She grew vegetables, plowed her garden with a stubborn mule, picked wild blackberries and trapped rabbits. Two and one-half years later, she returned to Minnesota to marry John Edward Hokanson. They exchanged vows on December 31, 1950. John and Grace built a home in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. From this union five children were born: Charlotte Hope, Carolyn Faith, Carla Joy, Curtis John, and Charles Edward. Their children were taught frugality and the benefits of hard work. John and Grace attended Camden Covenant Church and then became charter members of Brookdale Covenant Church. Grace worked as a homemaker and John painted with his brother, Joe. Each summer their backyard garden was filled with produce that Grace faithfully preserved. Grace was known for her delicious baked bread, baked beans, Swedish tea ring and dill pickles. In 1976 John died suddenly leaving Grace with two young sons still at home. She worked hard as a cleaning lady for several clients until she was 70 years old. Upon her retirement, she moved to Kensington, Minnesota. She was a member of Kensington Covenant Church. After several health issues, she moved to Stevens' Adult Foster Care where she thoroughly enjoyed the country atmosphere. Grace's love was to write. She left many pages of her thoughts behind that will be treasured for many generations to come. Looking out her window into the beautiful green landscape and river, she imagined living in her favorite stories called "Old Mother West Wind." She penned, "Now and here would be the perfect time. One only needs to close your eyes and let the imagination go free and the whole story unfolds for you. The creek has a space for a slippery slide. One day you might see the party when the little meadow people take time off for an afternoon of fun." Grace is now in her heavenly home resting by the clear, crystal river of life coming from the throne of God. Funeral: 2pm Sat., April 27, Kensington Covenant Church, Kensington, MN Clergy: Rev. David Wallin, Rev. Charles Hokanson Visitation: 5-8 pm Friday at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Hoffman; one hour prior at church Burial: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis