Marquette––– Robert A. “Banjo Bob” Hokenson, 55, of 1701 Woodland Avenue, Marquette, entered eternal life Wednesday morning, April 25, 2007, after a year long battle with colon cancer.
Robert was born April 11, 1952, in Marquette, a son of Arion and Mae (Liljeroos) Hokenson and was a lifelong Marquette resident. He graduated from Marquette High School, class of 1971 and following graduation enrolled in the Auto Mechanics program at NMU, receiving his certificate in 1973. Robert worked for Cleveland Cliffs for 30 years before retiring in 2004 from the Tilden Mine. He was a former member of the “No Credit Band” and the “Hogs back Bluegrass Revival Band”. Robert attended the Hiawatha Music Festival for the past 28 years and was a member for the last 5 years. He was an active musician for over 25 years. Robert was an active mentor who taught Banjo workshops for the last 4 years. In his leisure he enjoyed digital photography, wood crafts and making whirly gigs.
Surviving are his five sisters, Betty (Gene) O’Neill, of Marquette, Janet Wright, of Marquette, Karen (Thomas) Dobbins, of Sands, Helen (John) Versendaal, of Sacramento, CA, and Sandy Robello, of Sacramento, CA; special family members, Carrie (Jim) Miller, of Sands, Patrick (Kristi) Dobbins, of Grand Rapids, and his great-niece, Jenna Miller, of Sands. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call at the Fassbender Funeral Home, Saturday April 28, 2007, beginning at 2:00 pm. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 pm Saturday afternoon in the funeral home with a Chaplin from Lake Superior Hospice officiating. Burial will be made in Northland Chapel Gardens.