1927
Big
2013
Big Mike Kokotovich
October 17, 1927 — September 2, 2013
Big Mike “Koko” Kokotovich
Big Mike “Koko” Kokotovich, 85, Hibbing, died Monday September 2, 2013, at Guardian Angels Health Care Center in Hibbing. He was born at home in North Hibbing on October 17, 1927, to Jovo and Milosova (Stokich) Kokotovich. Big Mike graduated from Hibbing High School and was united in marriage to Mary Ann Sullivan on June 10, 1950, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He had worked for Buhler Brothers, Oliver Mining Company, the Scranton Mine, Century Motor Freight, and Peter’s Meat, prior to owning and operating Mike’s Cheese in Hibbing for 22 years. Big Mike was a member of St. Archangel Michael Orthodox Church in Hibbing and the Hibbing Moose Club. In his youth, Big Mike played cadet hockey, midget hockey, and legion baseball. Later, he was a member of the Hibbing Greyhounds, one of the city baseball teams. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he was an encyclopedia of baseball knowledge who could quote statistics and facts going back at least fifty years.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann Kokotovich, of Hibbing; three children: John (Jane) Kokotovich of Maple Grove, MN, Kathleen (Dave Carlson) Kokotovich of Minneapolis, and Peter (Terri) Kokotovich of Brooklyn Park, MN; four grandchildren: Katie (Jeff) Benson, Mike (Jenn) Kokotovich, Kelly (Chris) Gray, and Nathan (Nicole Parry) Kokotovich; five great grandchildren: Mitchell, Joel, Grant, Jaelynn, and Jestin; a brother, Eli (Georgia) Kokotovich of Duluth, MN; a sister-in-law, Shirley Kokotovich of Oak Park Heights, MN; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by infant children Carol Ann and David Kokotovich, his parents, and a brother, Bill Kokotovich.
Visitation will be Thursday September 5, at Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing, from 11 AM until the 12 Noon memorial service. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Michael’s Orthodox Church or any Hibbing youth sports organization. Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com.
Big Mike “Koko” Kokotovich, 85, Hibbing, died Monday September 2, 2013, at Guardian Angels Health Care Center in Hibbing. He was born at home in North Hibbing on October 17, 1927, to Jovo and Milosova (Stokich) Kokotovich. Big Mike graduated from Hibbing High School and was united in marriage to Mary Ann Sullivan on June 10, 1950, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He had worked for Buhler Brothers, Oliver Mining Company, the Scranton Mine, Century Motor Freight, and Peter’s Meat, prior to owning and operating Mike’s Cheese in Hibbing for 22 years. Big Mike was a member of St. Archangel Michael Orthodox Church in Hibbing and the Hibbing Moose Club. In his youth, Big Mike played cadet hockey, midget hockey, and legion baseball. Later, he was a member of the Hibbing Greyhounds, one of the city baseball teams. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he was an encyclopedia of baseball knowledge who could quote statistics and facts going back at least fifty years.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann Kokotovich, of Hibbing; three children: John (Jane) Kokotovich of Maple Grove, MN, Kathleen (Dave Carlson) Kokotovich of Minneapolis, and Peter (Terri) Kokotovich of Brooklyn Park, MN; four grandchildren: Katie (Jeff) Benson, Mike (Jenn) Kokotovich, Kelly (Chris) Gray, and Nathan (Nicole Parry) Kokotovich; five great grandchildren: Mitchell, Joel, Grant, Jaelynn, and Jestin; a brother, Eli (Georgia) Kokotovich of Duluth, MN; a sister-in-law, Shirley Kokotovich of Oak Park Heights, MN; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by infant children Carol Ann and David Kokotovich, his parents, and a brother, Bill Kokotovich.
Visitation will be Thursday September 5, at Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing, from 11 AM until the 12 Noon memorial service. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Michael’s Orthodox Church or any Hibbing youth sports organization. Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com.
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