Dee Dee Hokanson, age 70, passed away on May 14, 2026.
Born on May 20, 1955, in Hammond, Indiana, Dee Dee was the daughter of Dorothy and Robert Osborn and grew up in Calumet City, Illinois.
Dee Dee was the best mother to Victoria Boczkowski (Derek) and Charlene Rocha (Rick). Her heart sang as a grandmother to her three grandchildren: Lily, Ava, and Gage. A middle child, she is survived by her baby sister, Lynn Osborn and her big brother, Bob Osborn.
Dee Dee’s small yet mighty family also included her nephew, Bob Osborn, and his children Chloe and Bob; her stepsister, Dale; her husband’s daughter, Colleen, and many cousins.
Dee Dee was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Hokanson. They were together for over 40 years.
This south-side Chicago gal lived in Calumet City (graduate of T.F. North, ‘73), then migrated to Lincoln Park, and later, to her midwestern family’s chagrin, eventually settled in Bradenton, Florida. While we didn’t begrudge her that climate, she still remained a Chicago sports fan, which lessened the heartache of distance.
And back in the day, Dee Dee was quite the explorer underwater. A certified scuba diver, she took many trips to tropical locations (even Australia) to swim among fish and coral.
Dee Dee’s love was watchful, tender, and quietly responsive. Caretaking was her superpower. Her mother’s intuition of knowing what someone needed always shone through. She was praised for her elaborate holiday gift boxes and just-in-time care packages.
A gem among her work families, Dee Dee could be trusted for warmth, laughs, and stellar potluck themes, like Work Thanksgiving or Super Bowl parties. She gathered co-workers together to form lasting friendships.
At home, Dee Dee created a perfectly comfortable space. She always surrounded herself with plants and pets. Dogs and cats were her constant companions throughout her life. Every place she lived, stray cats somehow knew how to find her, and she made sure they were taken care of.
Dee Dee was a rock. Over her seventy years, she held strong against the battering of life's many storms. Her daughters felt a lot of pride learning from this single mother who built a life for the three of them from scratch. And they took a final lesson by watching her face her final storm with dignity. They can also find some solace in knowing she will be reunited with her love, Bob.
Dee Dee was loyal and full of joy when she was near her family, friends, and fur-babies. It will be naturally comforting to all of us who loved her in return to know that she is now our guardian angel.
If you wish to donate in Dee Dee’s memory, know that she frequently donated to animal rescue shelters and local community groups and a variety of charities as she became aware of causes that had meaning to her. She’d encourage you to do the same–but especially for the animals.
Brown And Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 604 43rd Street W, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of Arrangements.
