Archie A. Hokana

Live stream can be located at

Archie's Celebration of Life

On February 11, 1924, Archie Arvid Hokana was born in his grandparents’ home to Arvid and Mary Hokana of Guelph, ADA Township, North Dakota. His brother Robert joined the family a few years later. The family moved to Milnor, ND in 1928. Archie was baptized, attended the Lutheran church, and graduated high school in Milnor. From October 29, 1943 – May 5, 1946, Archie served our country in the U.S. Navy as a tail gunner on an amphibious patrol bomber. Following WWII surrender, he was stationed in Japan. Upon returning stateside, Archie attended the State School of Science in Wahpeton for auto body repair. One of his earliest jobs was driving his dump truck, which he used to help build many roads in the area.

On June 15, 1947, Archie’s high school sweetheart, Ruby Stockstad, became his wife in a formal church wedding in Milnor. The couple made their first home in West Fargo while Archie did body work at the Husted Dodge and Plymouth dealership in Fargo. They moved to Milnor in 1950 where Archie owned and operated Archie’s Auto Body and Repair through 1956. He was also the first driver of the local school bus.

Archie and Ruby built their Milnor home from recycled barnwood, and it is still in use today. They welcomed two children from their union, Ceata (Hokana) Cook of Moorhead and Linton Hokana of St. George, UT.

In September 1956, the family packed up and moved to Cut Bank, MT on a trip resembling The Grapes of Wrath. Archie worked as the auto body foreman for many years at the Ford and Mercury dealership before becoming the service manager for the GM dealership. He joined the Phillips Petroleum Company in 1977 as a field tester for oil wells. Phillips transferred him to their Westhope, ND office, and they lived in Maxbass until his retirement in 1985. Archie was very active in the Lutheran church, American Legion, and Jaycees.

Archie and Ruby lived in Moorhead for the next 35 years, enjoying time spent with their grandchildren Christian and Andrea and great grandchildren Jude and June. He and Ruby were faithful members of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

Archie is survived by his daughter, Ceata Cook; son, Lin (Sue) Hokana; grandson, Christian Cook; great grandson, Jude Cook; granddaughter, Andrea Cook (Russ Pfaff); and great granddaughter, June Pfaff.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Ruby; father, Arvid; mother, Mary; and brother, Robert.

Archie passed away peacefully under the superb care of the Veterans Home in Lisbon, ND and Hospice of the Red River Valley. After 100+ years, his body slowly gave out, but he was coherent and aware to the very end. He was happily “at home” at the Veterans Home and was a friend to staff and residents. He will be missed by all.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 11AM in The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN. Burial of ashes will be at the Fargo National Cemetery. A livestream of Archie’s service will be available on his obituary page at www.korsmofuneralservice.com.

Donations can be made to the Milnor American Legion building fund, ND Veterans Home, or Red River Hospice.