Dorothy Jean Hokenstad

Dorothy Jean Tarrell Hokenstad

Dorothy Hokenstad, a long-time Cleveland resident who settled in Ohio in 1974, by way of South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York City and Michigan, died peacefully at age 89, on Tuesday, November 4, 2026, at the Judson Park Health Center in Ambler Heights, Ohio. She died of natural causes after a long and remarkable life marked by education, public service, international travel, and family. She will be deeply missed. 

Dorothy was born on May 24, 1937, in Winner, South Dakota, to Alvin Tarrell, a school principal and proprietor of a general merchandise store; and Gladys Eagleton Tarrell, a schoolteacher and, later in life, elementary school principal on the Rosebud Native American Reservation. Along with her older sister Rosalie, and her younger brother (and “best buddy”) John, Dorothy grew up amid the rolling greens hills of Winner, a small township in Tripp County that is tucked between the White River at the north and South Dakota’s southern border.

Like her parents, Dorothy was a life-long learner, earning a bachelor's degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Chicago. In 1962, Dorothy wed Merl C. "Terry" Hokenstad, Jr., of Nebraska, a social worker and educator who ultimately became a Dean and Emeritus professor at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. After the birth of their three daughters, Dorothy attended law school at Cleveland State University and proudly passed the Ohio State Bar in 1981.

Dorothy served her community in many capacities, including as a foster care caseworker for the Children's Aid Society in New York City; City Commissioner in Kalamazoo, Michigan; fundraiser for United Way of Greater Cleveland; Director of Development for the Cleveland Sight Center; and, after her retirement, as a volunteer tutor at Fairhill Partners, a non-profit social services organization in Cleveland.

Dorothy was an avid reader, crossword puzzler, and wicked bridge player. She enjoyed the privilege of traveling extensively throughout Europe and the pleasure of visiting many other beautiful places around the world, including Egypt, Ecuador, and New Zealand. She was a "no-nonsense" mother, devoted grandmother, and kind and caring neighbor. She had a keen intellect that was often peppered by a delightfully snarky sense of humor.

Her family is deeply grateful to the many people who helped care for her in her final years, particularly Debbie, Joe, Catherine, Latanya, Derika, Darnell, Heaven, Latoya, Shereen, Mirika, Shuvet, Angela, Annick, Michele, and Shirley, and the many compassionate staff at both the Judson Health Center and the Hospice of the Western Reserve. 

A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at her home of 50 years in Shaker Heights when the flowers in her beloved garden bloom again in the spring.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 64 years, Terry Hokenstad; her daughter Alene Anne Hokenstad and son-in-law Bruce Kluger, New York City, and their daughters, Bridgette Anne Kluger, Philadelphia, and Audrey Rae Kluger, Honolulu; daughter Laura Rae Hokenstad, New York City; daughter, Marta Lynn Hokenstad, New York City; sisters-in-law Diane Baxley and Cindy Tarrell; brother-in-law Douglas Hokenstad; and her seven nieces and nephews, Mark, Alvin, Everett, David, Paul, Elizabeth and Brandon. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, sister, brother, and brother-in-law, Jerry Baxley.