Loren Joel Hoikka

Loren Joel Hoikka passed away peacefully at the age of 89 years old on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 with his wife Carol by his side at Dassel Lakeside Center. He was born March 3, 1933 to Joseph “Joe” and Elsie (Nelson) Hoikka at their farm in West Albion Township near Annandale Minnesota. Loren attended school at the French Lake country school until the third grade then moved to Minneapolis with his mom and brother Leland. He graduated from Minneapolis North High School in 1950. After graduating high school, he worked one year for Soo Line and then served in the Army for two years. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1959. He worked at 3M in Hutchinson for 25 years and retired in 1991. Loren married the love of his life, Carol Jamison on Aug. 29, 1964. Together they lived and raised their nine children in Cokato. He and Carol attended the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church and faith was most important to him. Loren and Carol enjoyed a long and healthy retirement in both Arizona and Minnesota spending time with children, grandchildren, and many friends. Loren loved playing golf with his friends and made many special memories with everybody who shared in his passion. He spent the last two years of his life at the Dassel Lakeside Center where he received wonderful care. Loren is survived by his wife Carol and nine children, Joel (Karyn) of Cokato; Amy (Mark) Aho of Cokato; Heidi (Kari) Valli of Cave Creek, Arizona; Jane (Jeff) McClintock of Hastings; Mark (Angie) of San Antonio, Texas; Gary (Jen) of Cokato; Carl (Tina) of St. Louis Park; Dale (Karla) of Cokato; Sara (Davin) Tarnanen of Cave Creek, Arizona; 80 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends young and old. Loren is preceded in death by his father Joe, mother Elsie, stepfather Elmer Alajoki, twin sisters Doris and Dorothy, brother Leland, infant son Paul, son-in-law Toby Jablonsky and grandson Finley Tarnanen. There will be a visitation on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church. The funeral service will be Monday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. with one hour of visitation prior to the service. Interment will be at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery. Arrangements are by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534.