Lyle S. Hokanson, 65, Fargo, ND, died Wednesday, August 10, 2011, in his home in Fargo.
Lyle Stuart Hokanson was born February 28, 1946, in Fergus Falls, MN, to Robert and Gladys (DeVries) Hokanson. They made their home in Herman, MN and in 1960, they moved to Paynesville, MN, where Lyle graduated from high school. Lyle then moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where he attended and graduated from Augustana College.
Lyle worked as a wrestling coach in Baldwin, WI, and was the assistant football coach in Springfield, MN. He then moved to Fargo and worked various jobs until becoming the Equipment Manager at the Bison Sports Arena. Better known as the "Voice of the Bison", Lyle was also the public address announcer for NDSU games and track and field meets.
Lyle umpired and officiated many high school football games and was also a fast pitch softball umpire. His greatest love was NDSU and he often said, "Once a Bison, always a Bison."
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his uncles, Carroll (Blanche) Olson and Ed "Butch" (Terri) DeVries; aunts, Shirley DeVries and Marlys (Don) Overson; cousins, Jeffrey (Nancy) Olson, Julie (John) Haehn, Jennifer (John) Polz, Jolene (Brian) Lambrecht, Jill (Stirling) Callander, Jill DeVries, Kara (Joe) Schumann, and Bryant (Rebecca) DeVries; and his NDSU family and friends.