Many a Benson-area youngster got his start as a musician under the baton and steady, easy swing of Albert Lokken's "magic wand" during the 1940's, 50's, and 60's. With encouragement from his mother and some of her egg money stashed into a separate account for his music education, Albert Lokken began his long-time love affair with music when he was a student attending junior high school in Canby. Mr. Lokken was born and raised on a farm south of Canby, Minnesota. He is the son of Peter and Sina Lokken and a graduate of Canby High School in 1929. After attending "normal training" for one year in Canby after completing high school, Lokken taught in a country school for four years between Clarkfield and Canby. He then enrolled at Moorhead State Teachers College and graduated in 1937 with a BS degree and majors in music and history. He next taught music at Tyler one year, then became a member of the faculty at Osakis High School, serving as director of the school's band and orchestra for eight years. It was during this time that he also studied music at the Minneapolis College of Music and in 1946 earned a master's degree. He moved to Benson with his wife, the late Agnes Lokken, in 1946 and for the next 20 years, served as band instructor and director at Benson High School stepping down from that position in 1966 when he became a classroom teacher at the junior high. Although he retired from that position in 1974, he served as director of District #777's Title 1, Chapter 1 program on a part-time basis until 1986. As director of bands for Benson High School, Lokken not only developed the concert band but the summer, marching, pep, jazz and German bands, which all performed for various civic and community functions. He also created and developed the band for the fifth grade. In addition to his duties as a member of the District #777 faculty, Lokken was a charter member of the Benson Kiwanis Club in 1950; served as director to the senior and men's choirs at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church for many years and served on the music board; several other boards of the church including the Building Committee; and was a member of the Dreamland Theater. - Biography provided by Ruth Lokken Rud and written by Steve Kufrin, Swift County Monitor, June 1985. Albert is survived by his children: Lawrence (Mae) Lokken of Gainesville, FL, Paul (Nancy) Lokken of Minneapolis, and Ruth (Galen) Rud of Montevideo; 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Hazel Lokken; and nieces, nephews, and many friends.Preceding him in death were his wife of 42 years, Agnes, in 1979; his parents; brothers: Henry (Emma) Lokken, Melvin Lokken, Olav Lokken, and Norman Lokken; sisters: Selma(Carl) Wahlstrom and Mavis (Marvin) Pederson.
