Hartley Hokanson

Mankato Mortuary
1001 N. Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 388-2202

Hartley "Hoki" Hokanson, age 93, of Mankato, died on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 10, 2013 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mankato with Rev. Ted Hottinger, S.J. and Rev. Steven Hultengren officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Hartley was born on June 24, 1919 in Traverse, MN to Alfred and Hilda (Svenson) Hokanson. He attended St. Peter schools. Hartley served in the United States Army from 1942-1945. On October 1, 1946 Hoki was united in marriage to Barbara Hottinger at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He loved her dearly and shared 63 years of his life with her. They owned Hoki's Market in Mankato from 1949-1969. He became known as the "banana king" after selling over 2,000 pounds of bananas every week at the market. He loved trains and even built a train at his home that people were able to ride on. Hoki and Barb hosted the family corn roast for many years at their home. Hoki enjoyed gardening and had a soft heart for animals. He would always take in stray animals and care for them.

Hoki is survived by his four children, Ron (Carolyn) Hokanson of Mankato, Tom Hokanson of Cumberland, WI, Sue (Craig) Gilbaugh of Ashland, WI, and Anita (Steven) Hultengren of Mankato; grandchildren, Donna (Kevin) Killion, Jessica, Christopher (Maria), and Lisa Gilbaugh, and Kelly and Jimmy Hultengren; and great-grandchildren, Paige, Coulter, and Caden Killion.

Hoki was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara in 2009; one brother; and one sister.