Donald Eugene Hokanson, age 85 of Litchfield, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at St. Cloud Hospital on September 21 st , 2026, surrounded byhis wife, children, and extended family members. Don was born on August 4, 1941, in Hinckley, MN, to Elsie and Hjalmer Hokanson. He was the 2 nd youngest of 8 children and grew up in Hinckley, where he graduated in 1959.
After high school, Don moved to Cokato and worked at Standard Lumber at the behest of his oldest brother. It was in Cokato that he met Mary Lindstrom, and the two were married on February 11, 1961. Don and Mary made their home in Cokato for many years, where they raised their three children, Karen, Laurie and Chris. They resided for many years in Stockholm Township, where Don also had the joy of owning and running the Stockholm Store.
In 1984 the family moved to Litchfield, where Don continued his farm equipment career—moving from sales to managing his own dealership. Over the years, he sold both “green and red,” developing a deep
connection to the farming community, and forming many lifelong friendships. In 1991, Don started Hokanson Appraisals, beginning another new chapter in his career. Through his own business, he formed
countless new relationships and proudly served his local communities—always staying true to his rural agricultural roots.
Don took great pride in his work and dedicated himself to building a better life for his family. He was always a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—truly, his family was his world. The
simplest moments were often his favorites; he especially enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball, deer hunting, gardening, and reading. Don was also a craftsman who loved creating things with his hands. Over the years, he built wooden foot stools, Barbie houses, toy boxes, blanket racks, and many other special projects. These were more than things he made – they became lasting reminders of the time, care and love he put into everything he did.
Don will be deeply missed by his wife of 65 years, Mary, his children, Karen (Ted) Anderson, Laurie (Gary) Pierce, and Chris (Tammy) Hokanson; his grandchildren, Jenny (Eric) Johnson, Tim Pierce, Jeff Lagergren, Mike (Nicole) Pierce, Amy Pierce, Christian and Heath Hokanson; and his great grand-children, TJ and Matthew Gregor, Alena, Benjamin, Joselyn, and Theodore Pierce, and cherished friends Brent
and Rebecca Wessman. He is also survived by siblings, Alice Currie & Clyde Hokanson, along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who will remember him fondly. He was preceded in death by his parents and his five siblings.
Don’s love for his family, his work ethic, his generosity, and the memories he created with those around him will live on through generations.
A funeral service for Don will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday September 28, 2026 at the First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, Minnesota, with a visitation beginning 1 hour prior to the service.
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