Cleone Honken

Cleone Jane Honken was born on March 21, 1934 to Edwin and Magna (Haroldson) Swenson in Luverne, Minnesota. Following graduation, she worked at Luverne Style Shop. On October 19, 1963 she was united in marriage to Oltman “Okie” Honken at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. The couple was blessed with two sons, Ronald and Randall, and raised their family in Luverne. Cleone worked at Creegers for many years and later at Gabe's. She was critical to the success of Honken Construction. Okie and Cleone later moved to Touchmark at All Saints in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Cleone died on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at the Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 92 years and 22 days.

Cleone was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne where she volunteered in the library, taught release time and vacation Bible school, and often would help with the monthly church newsletter. She loved baking, cooking, reading, crafts and growing flowers.

Cleone is survived by her two sons, Ronald (Cathy) Honken of Leota, Minnesota, and Randall (Carmen) Honken of Sartell, Minnesota; grandchildren, Reed, Riley, Matthew, Vanessa and Anna; and siblings, Roger Swenson of Norfolk, Nebraska, Linda (Milton) Jackson of Sioux Falls, and Larry (Phyllis) Swenson of Luverne. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Magna; sisters, Mardella Hansen, Mary Ann Hamann, Norma Swenson, and Leone Reker; and brother, Leo Swenson.

Memorials can be directed to the Luverne Dollars for Scholars for the Okie and Cleone Memorial Scholarship Fund.