Josephine Swart

Josephine (Jo) Sylvia Ovedia (Hokanson) Swart was born to Olaf and Nellie (Walstad) Hokanson on October 18, 1908 in Urness Township, MN. She went home to be with the Lord on April 13, 2008 at the age of ninety-nine years. Jo attended Douglas County rural school District #49, was a graduate of the Evansville High School, the Alexandria Normal Training Department and received her Masters Degree in Education from the St. Cloud State University. Jo?s forty-four years of teaching included schools in rural Douglas County, Rothsay, Evansville, Long Prairie Elementary, Alexandria Elementary principal, Alexandria High School Mathematics and St. Cloud State University geography and mathematics. She also served as an elementary school principal in Alexandria. Jo had varied and interesting experiences during her teaching career. She taught in four school systems of which she was a graduate and from which she was offered a contract without applying for a position. When Jo retired in 1971, she married Clarence Swart and moved to Brooklyn Center where she resided for twenty-three years. They spent winters in Arizona and Texas until Clarence passed away in 1979. Jo loved to travel and did extensive touring to every continent except South America. Through all of Jo?s life she was active in school, church and community organizations. Jo served as president of the Alexandria Education Association, the Douglas County Education Association, the eleven county Western Division Education Association, Rho Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and Vice President of the Minnesota Education Association. She was chairman of the local NEA evaluation project and recorder for the Minnesota delegation at an N.E.A. convention. Jo was State Chairman of the Teacher Education and Professional Standards Commission, member of the Board of Directors of the local school employees? credit union. In 1961, Governor Elmer Anderson appointed Jo to the Education Committee for a two-year term. She edited the first newsletter for the local education association and continued to be its editor for fifteen years. Jo was secretary of the Alexandria Galaxy Condominium Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the Vikingland Retired Educators. Wherever Jo resided she took an active part in community organizations ? Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, PTA Secretary, Vice Chairman of County Republicans, Chairman of the Robbinsdale Senior Services Committee, member of the Metropolitan Board on Aging, secretary of the Alexandria Senior Center and member of the Life Time Learning Executive Board. Church involvement was also a major part of Jo?s life. She has served as Sunday School Superintendent, teacher, member of the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, church librarian and various church committees ? membership, care, finance and property. Jo has been the recipient of several awards - Alexandria Teacher of the Year, Douglas County Teacher of the Year, Minnesota Honor Roll of Teachers of Excellence, Honorary Future Farmer, Outstanding Senior Citizen of Hennepin County, Brooklyn Center Rotarian Award of the Year, Douglas County Hall of Fame, Alpha Kappa Chapter Woman of Achievement, Who?s Who in Minnesota, and Who?s Who in her family genealogy. Jo is survived by her two brothers, Walter Hokanson of Morris, MN, Lloyd and wife, Mayme Hokanson, of Evansville, MN; four nieces and four nephews; step son, William Swart of Eagan, MN, step daughter, Elizabeth Kenny of Eugene, OR; six grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Her husband, parents, infant sister Sylvia, sister-in-law Lily Hokanson, step daughter-in-law Lukris Swart, step son-in-law Patrick Kenny and step grandson Bill Swart passed away prior to Jo. A funeral service was held Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at the Grace Church in Alexandria. Rev. Craig Dahl was the officiant. Sue Lundblad and Ruth Peterson provided music. Interment followed at the Fryksande Cemetery near Evansville. Casket bearers included all of her nieces and nephews Sheryl Eystad, Bob Hokanson, Rolland Hokanson, Steve Hokanson, Helen Kent, Harlan Hokanson, Romel Hokanson and Renee Schecker. Honorary casket bearers included Vern Eystad, Rod Felbur, Andy Karlsgodt, DeLair Melzer, Clifford Peterson and Vern Taylor along with the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.