Gerald "Joe" Joel Hokkanen

February 16, 1967 - December 26, 2016

Gerald "Joe" Joel Hokkanen, age 49, of Dassel, died Monday, December 26, 2016, in Shakopee, Minnesota. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel with Fr. Joe Steinbesser officiating. There will be a one hour visitation prior to the service at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel. Gerald "Joe" Joel Hokkanen, the son of Gerald and Kathleen (Wittenberg) Hokkanen was born on February 16, 1967, at the North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. Joe grew up in the Minneapolis area and graduated from Armstrong Senior High School in 1985. In April of 1993, Joe was united in marriage to Jamie Lommen in Los Vegas, Nevada. Together they made their home in Bismarck, North Dakota, Watertown, and Elmore, Minnesota. They also owned USA crafts were they built and sold their own handmade crafts. On May 16, 2008, Joe was united in marriage to Charlotte Klein at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Plymouth. Together they made their home in Dassel. Gerald Had held many jobs over his lifetime. He had worked as a vehicle detailer and car deliveryman for several car dealerships, cook, and a handyman. Recently Joe had been employed as a cook at Norms Wayside Bar and Grill. He had been helping out many people doing handyman work in the New Hope area. Joe enjoyed fishing, hunting, cards, and he was good with his hands and could build anything. He had built many end tables, corner cabinet, statue shelf, the dog house, tire swings, and had made a 150 foot slippery slide on the back hill of their house. He was a jack of all trades and could build anything. He loved his family with his whole heart and was always there, from a hug to a cup of coffee at work when it was needed. He was a wonderful husband and father and will be missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte of Dassel, children, Lucas "Luke" Hokkanen of Belgrade, Alia Losoya of Maple Grove, Deanna Klein-Scott of Dassel, Skye Hokkanen of Dassel, Faith Hokkanen of Dassel, and Dakota Hokkanen, two grandchildren, Aiden Poshek and Kyson Hokkanen, father, Gerald "Jerry" Hokkanen of Shakopee, Minnesota, two sisters, Robin (Wally) Swanson of Waterville, Minnesota and Jodelle (Tony) Steinke of Elk River. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Jamie in 2003, mother, Kathleen, and a sister, Alicia Hackbarth.