Virginia Mae Hokkanen, age 94 of Sandy Township, died Tuesday, November 19, 2024 in the Waterview Pines Care Center. She was born August 9, 1930 in Pembina County, North Dakota, the daughter of John and Tilda (Swanson) Uggerud. Virginia grew up in North Dakota, graduated from St. Thomas High School, the Deaconess School of Nursing, and was a proud member of the first class to attend North Dakota Girl's State. She married Roy Hokkanen on August 30, 1952 and the couple made their home in Bowbells, ND, Oklee MN, and Meadowlands prior to moving to the family farm in Sandy Township. Virginia was employed the School Nurse in Oklee, as a Public Health Nurse, and an RN with Range Mental Health, Virginia Regional Medical Center, and the Merritt House. Virginia was an avid bowler, a gardener, loved music, a loyal Fighting Sioux and Green Bay Packer fan, was an excellent cook and baker, a proud Norwegian, and a dog lover. She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Virginia, and the Pike Sandy Women's Club.

Virginia is survived by her children: Shirley (Mike) Granley of Duluth, Randy (Maryann) Hokkanen of Mountain Iro, Carol (Steve) Miettunen of Virginia, Marian (Don) DeBeltz of Grand Forks, and Phyllis (Joe Uremovich) Hokkanen-Uremovich of Virginia; grandchildren: Chris (Kacey) Granley, Danielle (Steve) Beaudin, Jake (Sarah) Leoni, Laura Leoni, Ashley (Ben Johnson) Miettunen-Pittman, Jennifer (Anthony) Bastianelli, Jared Miettunen, Casey (Chase) Christen, Jon(Alex) DeBeltz, Samantha DeBeltz, Kelly DeBeltz, Andrew (Sarah) Milbridge, and Madison Hokkanen; great-grandchildren: Lucas, Mikayla, Kenzie, Caiden, Dominic, Gino, Jay and Keira; extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Roy, and siblings: Orlando Uggerud and Martha Torgerson.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Virginia. Pastor Liz Cheney will officiate. A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Private interment will take place in the Sandy North Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the University of North Dakota Nursing School or the Mesabi Humane Society.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia, To share condolences online, please visit: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Mesabi Humane Society
2305 Southern Drive, Virginia MN 55792
Tel: 1-218-741-7425
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.mesabihumanesociety.org/donate

UND Alumni Association & Foundation
3501 University Ave Stop 8157, Grand Forks ND 58202
Tel: 1-707-777-2611
Web: https://undalumni.my.site.com/ascendportal/s/give/initiative?dsgt=61436