Ione Rachel Stokes, 82, passed away on Saturday June 14, 2025 at Upstate Community Hospice Health in Landrum, South Carolina, surrounded by loving family members.
Ione Hoagenson was born on May 17, 1943 to Hubert and Norma (Olson) Hoagenson. She grew up on the family farm in the Town of Irving. She attended the Irving School before continuing her education in Black River Falls where she graduated in 1961.
Ione enjoyed helping her dad with the animals while growing up and loved driving tractor, especially during the threshing season. It was then that she got to drive a variety of different makes of tractors belonging to the various owners that made up the threshing crew. It was her job to transport the grain from the fields to the threshing machine. She went on to work at the Krohn Clinic and Hospital which was then located on the corner of Main and 3rd Street in downtown Black River Falls.
She was baptized and confirmed at Little Norway Lutheran Church and was married there on October 12, 1963 to Joseph B. Stokes. They moved to Minnesota and resided there for over 57 years, living in several different communities including Lakeville, Eagan and Hastings. They had two children, both daughters, Nancy and Janel. Ione worked as an accountant’s bookkeeper. After retiring, they loved to get together with their friends and share stories along with a cup of coffee. They enjoyed checking into new and different establishments for eating out and would sometimes stop along the way to purchase collectables that were of interest to them or simply just browse around. One of Ione’s passions was to put up displays in their home using those collectables for the various holidays or change of seasons.
In May of 2021, they moved to South Carolina and for 2.5 years resided with their daughter, Nancy, and her husband Peter. Due to failing health, it became necessary to move to assisted living facilities and eventually nursing homes with hospice.
Ione was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Norma Hoagenson, her daughter, Janel (Brian) Robbins and her brother-in-law, Ray Becker. She is survived by her husband, Joe; daughter, Nancy (Peter) Houston; two granddaughters Janna (Wimer) Martinez and Jolisa (Keil) Nitz; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Lois M. Becker, Carol (Mark) Stenulson, and Lester (Devery) Hoagenson, plus several nieces and nephews.
Palmetto Mortuary in Spartanburg, South Carolina, was in charge of the cremation. A memorial ceremony will be held at a later date.
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