Zelma M. Hokanson

Born in High River, Alberta, Canada, Zelma and her family moved to Salem, Oregon when she was 4 years old. She and her sister, Ruth, were the apple of their father's eye. She graduated from Oregon School for the Deaf in 1933. Zelma attended Gallaudet College for one year, returning home after the death of her father in 1935.

Zelma married Konrad "Hoke" Hokanson in 1940 and they were happily married for 62 years raising two children - Karon and Roger. She was a full-time homemaker until her son was a freshman in high school.

Zelma then went to work for a custom drapery company making special draperies such as Roman- and Austrian-shades. Zelma and Hoke also taught American Sign Language at Portland Community College for ten years.

In 1971 she founded the Deaf Kids Holiday party which is still going strong! Because of her great love for children Zelma volunteered as "Grandma" in deaf and hard of hearing pre-school classrooms until she was 80 years old. In 2006 she moved to Hearthstone retirement home in Beaverton, Oregon and discovered a hidden talent for watercolor painting of landscapes and flowers.

Zelma is survived by children Karon Reese and Roger Hokanson (Michele); grandchildren Janet Reese Bell (Bill), Noelle Benedict-Hokanson (Sergio) Teran and Lynda Reese Carlson (Alec); great grandchildren Wyatt and Lucy Bell, Emma and Alejandro Teran, Trevor Reese, Steven, Kailey and Victoria Carlson.

A memorial service will be held at Hearthstone (10880 SW Davies, Beaverton, OR 97008) on January 21, 2013 at 3:00 PM.

Remembrances to, Deaf Kids Holiday Party, c/o Christine Anderson, 1152 NE 71st Ave., Portland, OR 97213.

Arrangements by Pegg, Paxson, & Springer Chapel in Beaverton, OR.