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Loretta Ann Dokken Obituary – 05/22/08


Loretta Ann Dokken, age 87, of Cokato, died Thursday, May 22, 2008, at the Cokato Manor.

She was born Aug. 26, 1920, to Fritz and Mabel Nelson in Cokato.

Loretta was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and was a lifelong member of Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church.

After graduating from Cokato High School in 1938. She attended Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. Following completion of business school, Loretta worked in Minneapolis for a few years, and then returned to Cokato.

Loretta was united in marriage to Donald Dokken Aug. 15, 1948.

Over the years, Loretta was employed in secretarial and bookkeeping positions for Green Giant, A.M. Anderson Services, Stockholm Creamery, and Minnegasco. She also provided secretarial services for her church, and served as the church’s financial secretary for over 40 years. Following retirement, Loretta continued to work as an independent bookkeeper.

She enjoyed being involved in community organizations and activities including Legion Auxiliary, Eastern Star, Community Chest, Red Cross Blood Drive, Federated Club, as an election judge, in commodities distribution, as a member of card club, and the Esther Circle at church. In recognition of her ongoing services, she was honored in 2005, by radio station KDUZ as a “Hometown Hero,” and by the City of Cokato with the “Outstanding Citizen Award.”

Friends and relatives will remember Loretta most for her quick wit, homemade pies, a full coffee pot awaiting the next drop-in visitor, and a generous spirit she shared with many. As much as letter writing has become a lost art, Loretta continued to be an avid writer, with eloquence and beautiful penmanship.

Loretta is survived by her sons, Dan (Marie) of Rochester, Tom (Bev) of Bloomington, and Todd (Jean Bass) of Minneapolis; five grandchildren: Kristen, Peter, Melisa, Mark, and Annie; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded ind death by her parents; her husband, Donald; and a brother, Russell.

Funeral service was Wednesday, May 28 at 1 p.m. at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with the Revs. Steven Thorson and Daniel Carlson officiating. Music was provided by Karen Anderson, Tracy Hagstrom-Durant and Heidi Hagstrom. Interment was in the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery.

Casket bearers were Peter Dokken, Mark Dokken, Kyle Stroup, Larry Bollman, Joe Harmala, Mick Hoien, Bob Bergstrom, and Chuck Ortquist. Honorary casket bearers were Carl Chan, Eric Gesick, Walter Hybbert Jr., Bill West, Kenneth Nelson, and Loren Olson.

Visitation took place Tuesday, May 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, and continued Wednesday, one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements were by the Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato.

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