Harlen Carl Hokanson

Harlen Hokanson of Browerville, passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022, surrounded by his family at the St. Cloud Hospital. He was 79 years old.

A funeral service will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Browerville. Visitation will take place at the church on Thursday, February 17, 2022, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a time of sharing starting after the visit. Visitation will continue the day of the funeral one hour prior at the church. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Both visitations and the funeral will take place at the church.

Harlen was a friend to all. He was himself in all situations and accepted others as they were too. He loved nothing more than to help others without need for payment or recognition, and to make sure everyone had what they needed. 

Harlen was a teacher and lifelong learner. He taught agriculture and mechanics for 33 years and was always investigating the way things worked and reading about the workings of the world around him.

Harlen was an outdoorsman. He had a love for the natural world. He loved walking in the woods, identifying plants, canoeing, and supplying the family with venison.

Harlen was a gardener. He filled the shelves with dill pickles and the freezer with raspberries; and shared the bounty. He tended his apple trees with the utmost care and attention.

Harlen loved to work with his hands. He handcrafted knives, made the most amazing chokecherry wine, and could revive any appliance or fix any small engine.

Harlen had a unique sense of humor. He loved to laugh at his own jokes that often made his family groan. He would often impart his unique way of looking at the world through stories and anecdotes.

Harlen was a devoted father and husband. He was married to Sue for almost 55 years and was able to show his love to three generations, including his children Kristi and Eric, Heidi and Mike, and Carl and Natalie; grandchildren Luke and Jenny, Dani, Jack, and Andrew; and great grandchildren Brayden, and Freya.

Harlen was a family man who loved his family which also included siblings Darryl, Wes and Darla, and Ardyce and Lorence; and siblings-in-law John and Wendy, and Carla and Jeff; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He dearly missed his loved ones who had already departed.

Harlen was a child of God. He was a lifelong Lutheran and a questioner who sought answers about the mysteries of faith. Harlen died peacefully at St. Cloud hospital after surgery following a fall at home, and now he has the answers he was seeking.

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