W. Jean "Billie" Hokanson

W. Jean "Billie" Hokanson passed peacefully into eternal rest September 27, 2024, in her 94th year with family by her side.

Billie was born September 2,1930 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to John Eskil "Ernie" and Bjorg Thorunn "Bertha" Fernstrom.

She grew up in Spooner, Minnesota, across the bridge from Baudette Minnesota moving to Warroad to attend Warroad High School. She married Donald Dean Hokanson December 25, 1947, later living in Bemidji, MN, Blackduck, MN and Moorhead, MN for the last 45 years. Billie lived independently until January of this year when she became of a resident of Serenity Memory Care of Dilworth MN.

She was the proud mother of Mary Naylor, Bemidji, MN, Terri Snustad, Mankato, MN, Jack (Judy), Lewistown, MT, Greg (Sandy) Rochester, MN, Phil, Moorhead, MN, Dan (Mariann) , Perham, MN, Neil (Terry), Virginia Beach, VA, Michael (deceased), Roberta "Berta" (Chad) Sapa, Dilworth, MN. 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Billie had many careers, as business partner with Don at Don's TV and Radio, the family resort at Blackduck and when they moved to Moorhead, she worked at St. Ansgar's, Minnesota Fabric and was the housemother and cook for an NDSU fraternity for quite a few years.

She was deeply interested in her Icelandic heritage and of being listed in the Book of Icelanders database. She also treasured her precious piano that followed her through all of her moves from childhood, and she especially loved playing ragtime, jazz and pop music.

She was a beautiful knitter, and every year knit a new pair of mittens and a hat for her kids. In her later years she knit as many as 50 hats a year to donate to whatever organization could use them. And she loved to dance so in the words of one of her favorite songs, your kids hope you're having a ball and dancing out of your shoes. Love you, Mom.

Special thanks for the loving care of the staff at Serenity Memory Care in Dilworth MN.

A Gathering of Family and Friends for Jean will be held in the near future. Please check back for the date of time of the Gathering. 

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)