Annette Asplund Hokanson

Our dear Annette (Asplund) Hokanson passed away on November 7, 2019 following complications from a brain bleed.

As the oldest child, Annette was born May 9, 1953 in Logan, UT at Logan Regional Hospital to loving parents Russell Owen Asplund and Colleen (Packer) Asplund. The family later moved to Salt Lake City, UT and spent the remainder of her childhood and teen years in Morgantown, WV, Austin, TX, and Laramie, WY. After working for a time at a bridal shop and attending LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Annette returned home and met her husband, Lin Dee Hokanson at the University of Wyoming. They were sealed as husband and wife for time and eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on March 9, 1979. Annette and Lin Dee raised their children for several years in Freedom, WY. They later became residents of Coarsegold, CA and Rapid City, SD where she greatly enjoyed doing administrative work for the Boy Scouts of America. The couple returned to Wyoming’s Star Valley for a time before settling in Rigby, ID. Annette returned to LDS Business College to complete her education in 2012, and has lived most recently in Murray, UT.

In addition to her time working with the Boy Scouts, Annette enjoyed her work at Sock City in the Gardner Village Shops, and with the children of Westbrook Elementary School, where she was employed as a Teaching Assistant over the past couple of years. She has been an avid quilter, sewer, crafter, and painter throughout her life, and always enjoyed plants and gardening. Annette taught herself to play guitar, had a beautiful singing voice, and great enjoyment of many kinds of music. She was passionate about books and words, especially enjoying mysteries, puzzles, and clever humor. She was a writer of poetry, short stories, and songs. Her cooking was wonderful and she took much pleasure in sharing it with others.

Annette has been a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and has served as Relief Society President, taught Sunday School, Early Morning Seminary, and Primary children, as well as fulfilling other callings. Her roles as a mother, grandma, and mother-in-law were the joy of her life, but she was also a wonderful big sister and a caring friend. Her unwavering faith has been a guiding force and strength in her life and the lives of those who have known her. She was a devoted caregiver to her husband, Lin Dee, and to her parents during their final days. Although she endured hardships through the years, this has always been offset by a heart full of passionate caring, kindness, and a will to give to others. Annette’s every act has been marked by a sincere desire to be of service to those she loved, who are many. Her wit, wisdom, and sense of whimsy and fun will always be remembered.

Annette is survived by her children: Whitney Lynn (Steven) Whiting of Lakeside, AZ; Mark Shane (Adela Nuti) Hokanson of Orem, UT; Lon Dee (Liz) Hokanson of Herriman, UT; and Kelsey Colleen Hokanson of Millcreek, UT. Her grandchildren are Grace, Scott, Spencer and Ada (Whiting). Her sisters are Ruthellen (Jesse) Overy of Fort Bridger, WY; Terry Lee (Dale) Micheli of Fort Bridger, WY; Rebecca Asplund of Rock Springs, WY; Elizabeth (Zachary) Shields of Lehi, UT; and Brita Marie (Norman) Arrington of El Paso, TX.

Annette is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lin Dee Hokanson; her parents, Russell Owen Asplund and Colleen (Packer) Asplund; her father-in-law, Dee Hokanson.

The family wishes to extend special gratitude to the doctors and medical support team at Intermountain Medical Center, especially Dr. Robert Hoesch and the staff of IMC’s Neurological Intensive Care Unit (Neuro ICU) for their kindness and conscientiousness in Annette’s care.

A Viewing will be held November 21, 2019, 6-8pm at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 4760 State St, Murray, UT 84107. Memorial Services will be held Friday, November 22nd, 4pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4220 South Jeannine Drive, Murray, UT 84107. In addition, there will be a viewing one hour prior to the funeral services.

Donations can be made in Memory of Annette Hokanson to Granite Education Foundation. https://granitekids.charityproud.org/donate