Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Margaret Lorraine Hanson (Chelgren), 98, of Stockholm, Minnesota passed peacefully to her heavenly home on November 13, 2024 at Carver Ridge Senior Living after a long battle with heart disease and dementia.

She was born on May 30, 1926 to Adolph and Agnes Chelgren in Stockholm, Minnesota. She
was very active in high school activities: band, declam, theater, cheerleading, swing band and she
sang in a female group called the Tonettes who performed on WCCO radio in the 40’s. After
graduation she moved to Minneapolis where she took voice lessons at McPhail and attended
secretarial school. She married Orion Hanson on June 4th 1949. They had three children Joni,
Alan and Rogene. She worked as both a secretary and office manager. In 1987 they moved
back into the home of her birth and spent winters in Arizona. She was very involved with both
church and music. She sang in various church choirs, the Minnetonka Symphonals, the
Minnetonka Choral Society and she sang solos for many weddings and funerals throughout the
years. She loved her music, as she loved her family, friends, and God.

She was preceded in death by her husband Orion, her parents, her sister Eldora, and many
friends and relatives.

Margaret is survived by her children: Joni (John) Anker, Alan (Jo Ann) Hanson, Rogene (Scott)
Meriwether and her 9 grandchildren: Andrew, Jay, Alissa, Ben, Heidi, Chris, Jennifer, Courtney
and Dustin and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be Friday, November 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Stockholm Lutheran Church -
16133 County Rd 30 SW Cokato, MN with visitation at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at the Stockholm Cemetery.

Memorials requested to: Stockholm Lutheran Church, Good Shepard Free Lutheran Church,
Ridgeview Hospice, or Minnesota Valley Women’s Chorale.

James Allen Heuer
January 14, 1935 – October 31, 2024

Jim Heuer, age 89 of Howard Lake passed away on Thursday, October 31st at The Lodge Assisted Living Facility in Howard Lake, MN after a short battle with leukemia. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion and a proud United States citizen.

Jim was born January 14, 1935, to William and Selma (Rosenberg) Heuer in Bertha, MN. He was the fifth of eight children, with three sisters and four brothers. Jim grew up on the family farm two-and-a-half miles south of Bertha.

Jim served in the United States Army from December 1954 to September of 1956. His occupation was listed as weather observer; however, his mathematics skills were also called into play in his service. After leaving the service, Jim became a law enforcement officer serving Todd County, the City of Wadena and eventually Renville County, all in Minnesota.

Jim was a proud father of four boys with his first wife, Patricia, living and raising the boys in Long Prairie and Wadena. Jim later met Betty Gerdes and they were wed on February 11, 1984 in Hector. After a few years in Hector, they chose to relocate to Apache Junction, AZ. They both worked at Tri-Rentals in Phoenix until their retirement. They lived a total of eighteen years in Arizona before deciding to move back to Minnesota and found a new home in Osakis. Both Jim and Betty were active members of the Osakis Lutheran Church. In early 2020, a health concern brought the need for him to be closer to family and he relocated to The Lodge Assisted Living facility in Howard Lake, MN.

Jim loved to garden, fish, hunt and golf with his extended family. A card shark until the very end, he could look at a cribbage hand and know the score of all hands before his opponents could add only their own. Jim was an avid follower of local sports teams and supported his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in their activities whenever possible. Upon relocating to Howard Lake, Jim joined the St John’s Lutheran church family and quickly became a beloved member. He sang in the choir and regularly read the scripture readings for Sunday services. He was also unofficially designated as the social director of the assisted living facility. In his retirement, Jim also volunteered at Love INC (a local non-profit) in Howard Lake several days a week. Jim created “family” wherever he went in his later years.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; son William (Billy) Heuer; stepson Thomas Cummens; his parents; brothers Don and Jerry; sisters Mona and Carolyn; ex-wife Patricia Heuer.

Jim is survived by sons; James (Patty) Heuer, Carey (Missy) Heuer, Patrick (Michelle) Heuer; daughter-in-law Debra Heuer; four stepchildren Richard (Denise) Cummens, Donna (Jerry) Strobel, Pattie (Don) Miller, Lori (Mark) Rath, Gregory (Amanda) Cummens; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister and brothers Maxine, Wally and Chuck. He is also survived by a plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11 AM with a visitation one hour prior to the service at St John’s Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, MN. A lunch will be served following the service. Inurnment will take place at Ft Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis in the spring. The service will be broadcast on the St John’s Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnshowardlake

Memorials are preferred to the Organ Project at St John’s Lutheran Church, PO Box 307, Howard Lake, MN 55349.

Kathleen Rose Wallat born on December 3, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2024.

Kathy had a dedicated career with the Bureau of Mines, where she met and married Jim Wallat. Throughout her life, she made it a point to connect with family, never missing a birthday or sending a card during the holidays. Her thoughtfulness was a testament to her love for her family.

An adventurous spirit, Kathy enjoyed traveling and lived in various places, including Minnesota, Washington, D.C., and Arizona, where she sought a warmer climate. A breast cancer survivor, she was also a proud holder of 17 years of sobriety medallion. In a true display of compassion, she returned from Arizona to care for her former husband during his battle with cancer, cherishing the time spent with him in those final days. Her love extended beyond her family to her beloved dog, Max.

Kathy is now at peace with her mother, Genevieve Ecker, father Rush Ecker, Max, and many other cherished family members who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her cousin Charleen Bacigalupo, Monica Anderson (Bacigalupo), her long-time friend Reverend Alta Jewel and her children, who she spent time with over the years. Kathy will be remembered for her kindness and the love she shared with those close to her. She loved the Lord, and the Lord has her now.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at the Howard Lake City Cemetery.

Elaine Mildred Smith, age 91 of Howard Lake, passed away on October 28, 2024 at home. She was born August 4th, 1933 to William and Lydia Westphal Frank on the family farm southwest of Howard Lake. She was the youngest of 4 siblings. She attended Merriman County School, St. James School, and Howard Lake High School graduating in 1950. She then accepted a job as secretary at the Howard Lake School and worked there for 9 years, through consolidation of the country schools and building the new school in 1955, which was demolished in 2015.

Elaine married Everrett Smith June 28th, 1957, moving to the Smith Family Farm west of Howard Lake in 1958. Together they raised three children, farmed the land, and had an egg business for many years. Many people came to the farm to buy “farm fresh eggs”. She was active in the Presbyterian Church, serving as church treasurer, a trustee, and in the women’s group. She also served as an on-call babysitter for her grandchildren as needed. She was always working on projects from sewing quilts to business suits for her girls to mending jeans. Her kitchen usually smelled of fresh baked bread and desserts and her grandchildren could always count on cookies in the cookie jar. She remained on the farm until March of 2019, when she moved to Edgewood Gables apartments in Cokato.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Everrett, siblings: Orville Frank, Verna Mulvanny and Melvin Frank.

Survived by son Larry (Laurie) Smith, daughter Jeanne (David) Mages, and daughter Debbie (David) Honebrink. Seven grandchildren: Ryan Smith, Kyle (Alicia) Smith, Chelsea (David) Buttenhoff, Trevor (Catheryn) Mages, Cassie (Cal) Sleiter, Danny Mages and Jason Honebrink, seven great-grandchildren with two more on the way, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services are Friday, November 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake, with visitation one hour prior.

Duane (Rocky) Charles Henry Rokala was born on February 17, 1937 to Henry and Elma (Tormanen) Rokala in Kingston Township, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm along the Crow River in the Kingston area. During his growing up years he worked on the family farm and could often be found swimming. He proudly served in the United States Army from February 20,1956 through April 10,1958. During his time in the military, he married B. Elaine Hale on February 22, 1958. Together they had 3 children. He worked several jobs over the years, including: being manager of Anderson Box Company, owned R and R Roofing, ServiceMaster and BDL Furniture store. He also enjoyed truck driving. He lived in the Dassel area through the majority of his life.

Duane enjoyed the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing. He also loved to travel and spending time with others. His faith in the Lord was very important to him as well as attending church. Everyone knew where “his spot” was at church. Duane was always ready and willing to help out anyone in need and lend a helping hand. He treasured time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also very proud when he became a great-great grandpa just a few months ago. He will always be remembered by his big smile and infectious laugh, which was heard often.

Duane was survived by his three children: Randall Rokala of Cosmos, Minnesota, Marcella (husband Craig) Hagen of Mesa, Arizona, and Peggy (husband Michael) Kinzler of Glencoe, Minnesota. 10 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Duane was preceded in death by his father Henry Rokala, mother Elma Rokala, brother Russell Rokala, granddaughter Ashley Hagen and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, October 23 at 11 AM at Riverside Church in Hutchinson, MN. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 22, from 5-7 and continue 1 hour prior to services on Wednesday, all at Riverside Church (20924 St. Hwy. 7 West, Hutchinson, MN 55350)