Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Memorial Service: 11 AM Friday 4/27/2018, at Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church of Cokato.
Visitation: 4-8 PM Thursday afternoon at church.
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery
Joyce Ann (Kotila) Jarl passed away on April 24th, 2018 in Cokato MN.
Joyce was born on February 9th, 1933 at the Kotila home place in Cokato. This is where Joyce grew up and spent much of her life. She attended Temperance Corner Country School until she went to Cokato High school where she graduated in 1950. The following year Joyce married the love of her life, Thomas Jarl, on May 5th 1951. Joyce and Tom spent the first four years of their marriage living on the Kotila farm place until they moved to a home in Dassel. They lived there until 1966. They then moved back north of Cokato by Temperance Corner and lived there for many years. Joyce and Tom raised 11 children during this time. Joyce was a loving wife and mother and raising her children was her purpose for many years. Joyce had a love for cooking and baking and she worked at the Dassel-Cokato schools in the kitchens for many years. Later, her and Tom lived and worked at Camp Chi Rho where Joyce continued to cook and bake and share her joyful smile with all who visited the camp. Joyce also loved to garden and spent much of her time out side tending to her flowers. Joyce loved visiting with friends and family and always had a friendly smile and a pot of egg coffee on the stove for those who walked through her door, and usually a cookie or a treat, too. Joyce was devoted to her heavenly father and enjoyed going to church and bible studies. Joyce shared this love and devotion to her Father by showing kindness to those she met. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.
Joyce was anxious for spring so that she could spend time sitting outside. She got to do just this on Sunday and Monday. With loved ones by her side, Joyce was called to her heavenly home on Tuesday, April 24th, 2018. She is proceeded in death by her parents August & Selma Kotila, daughter Karen Hillstrom and grandchildren James Lantto, Daniel Jarl, Keith Larson and John Hillstrom. She is survived by her husband of nearly 67 years, Thomas Jarl, children Steven (Cheryl) Jarl, Vicki (Chris) Lantto, Janice Christenson, Kathy Jarl, Cindy (Mike) Worden, Shari (Phil) Rokala, Brenda (Cyrus) Welte, David (Susan) Jarl, Mary (Nathan) Ruonavaara, Joe (Kari) Jarl as well as 38 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren.

Geraldine Ann Anderson was born March 6, 1930. She was the youngest child of August and Maude Anderson of Middleville Township.

Geri graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1948. After medical training she moved to Spokane, Washington in 1952. She worked in the medical field until 1970, when she became National Representative for Stonecroft Ministries. In 2001 she retired to provide healthcare for her friend, Jane Machen, until the time of Jane’s death in February, 2012. In the spring of 2013, she moved back to Minnesota to be close to family. Geri lived in Willmar and Buffalo before moving to The Lodge in Howard Lake, in November of 2015. Geri moved to Cokato Manor in March, 2018 and was cared for there until the time of her passing on April 12, 2018.

Geri is preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Evelyn (Roland) Diers, Harriet (Welton) Zander, June (Kenneth) Wagner, Ione (Marvin) Swedberg, and brother, Roger Anderson.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Vergil (Geri) Anderson of Howard Lake, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Service for Geraldine Ann Anderson will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 2 PM, with visitation one hour prior to the service at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Interment at Highland Cemetery in Middleville Township, Wright County, Minnesota. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401

Esther Elaine Simonson of Cokato, Passed away on March 24, 2018 at Cokato Manor.
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Friday, March 30, 2018 at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church
Visitation: 5-8 PM Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church, and 1 hr prior to funeral service on Friday
Prayer Service: 7PM Thursday at Church
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery

Esther Elaine Simonson was born December 2, 1923 in Cokato, the daughter of Charles & Wilhelmina (Tuominen) Aho. She grew up with five siblings on the family farm northwest of Cokato, attending the local country school and Cokato Public High School. As a young girl, Esther always wanted to be a teacher. Following high school, she attended Litchfield & St. Cloud Teacher’s Training for two years. Among other schools, she taught at the one room school house at Temperance Corner north of Cokato.

At age 19 she was engaged to Eddie Koivisto, who was called overseas shortly after, to serve in WW II. He never returned. About ten years later, Esther was married to Alfred Hannus on June 13, 1953. They were blessed with two children and were expecting their third when Alfred died suddenly of a heart attack. Esther was left to raise their three young children as a widow.

On September 7, 1974, Esther married Edwin Helmer Simonson, gaining 12 stepchildren, the youngest 7 years old. Together they raised their children in Cokato, enjoying their lake place and traveling during retirement. Esther loved gardening, flowers, and treating their many grand and great grandchildren to fresh bread, canned peaches, pears, and applesauce.

With loved ones by her side, Esther was called to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Cokato Manor. She is preceded in death by her fiancé Eddie, husbands Alfred (1956) and Helmer (2004), parents, brothers Eino & Melvin Aho, sisters Ellen Tormanen & Lempi Koivisto, stepsons Mark & Kevin Simonson, step son-in-law Paul Kariniemi, and one granddaughter.

Survivors include her children Christine (William) Josephson, William (Lynn) Hannus, and Ruth (Gordon) Raisanen all of Cokato, her step children Ronald (Melba) Simonson of Buffalo, MN, Harley (Roberta) Simonson of Snohomish, WA, Dale (Diane) Simonson of Deer Park, WA, Sandra Kariniemi of Wayzata, MN, Karen (Vaughn) Lundeen of Monroe, WA, Maureen (Bradley) Mattila of Monroe, WA, Gary (Lisa) Simonson of Cokato, Patricia Davison of Chattaroy, WA, Kent Simonson of Menahga, MN, and Chris (Jodi) Simonson of Deer Park, WA, daughters-in-law Ilona Simonson of Deer Park, WA, and Janet (Mike) Stonelake of Prescott, AZ. Esther is further survived by her sister Lorraine Wisuri of Cokato, many dear grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her gentle nature, patience, and love for children will be greatly missed.

Dennis Duane Ortquist

Born: September 3, 1929
Died: March 23, 2018, Cokato Minnesota surrounded by his family

A memorial service will take place Wednesday March 28th at 11am at Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. Visitation will take place on Tuesday evening, March 27th from 4-7 pm at the church with a prayer service at 6:30 pm.

Dennis was born September 3rd, 1929 to Carl and Ellen (Erickson) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the oldest of 9 children. Dennis grew up in the French Lake area and graduated from Annandale High School in 1947.

Post graduation, Dennis was drafted into the United States Marines Corps and served 2 years. Dennis was a ‘jack of all trades’ enjoying farming, heavy equipment operations, steel building construction and professional baking with his in-laws at the Cokato Bakery.

Dennis was married to Marlys Salmela on January 13th, 1952. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage together and had 8 children, 26 grandchildren, and 40 great grandchildren.

Dennis loved his community and volunteered 28 years of his time to serve the Cokato Fire Department, was a frequent visitor of the Cokato Town and Country Club enjoying many rounds of golf. He traveled throughout the United States with his bowling buddies playing in various tournaments. Dennis was a member of the American Legion and active member of the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. Dennis greatly loved his family and spending time with them. He thoroughly enjoyed helping his children with their farming enterprises.

Dennis is survived by his wife Marlys, children Rene Ortquist, Robin (Tim) Kelly, Rise (Ron) Beckman, Rori (Doug) Carlson, Ruthie (Ron) Klima, Reid (Cheryl), Rahn (Pamela), Raquel (Chad) Kirchoff, and Blake Ortquist, 26 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. Brothers: Marvin (Donna), Robert (Mary Jo), Chuck (Karen). Sisters: Lois Nelson, Doris Neunfeldt, Paulette Vogel. Sister-in-law Mary Jean Ortquist.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents (Carl and Ellen), sister Jean Rusling, brother David, granddaughter Ria Beckman, and great grandson Austin Carlen.

Loren George Borg, 83, entered heaven on March 22, 2018 surrounded by his family and the loving prayers of so many. Throughout his whole life and up to his last breath, Loren praised God for His blessings and trusted God’s plan for him.
Loren was born on March 22, 1935 in Watertown, MN to Edward and Inez Borg. He was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN where he was a member his entire life.
Growing up, Loren lived and worked at his family farm in Cokato. He had one brother, Darrell, who passed away of polio at the age of 17. During Loren’s senior year in high school he assumed responsibility for his family’s farm when his father passed away. Through hard work and determination, Loren still graduated with his high school class as well as graduated from the University of Minnesota in only seven quarters.
At college, Loren met Helen Viren in an Industrial Psychology class. They dated six months and were wed on December 11, 1965 in Duluth, MN. After marriage, Loren and Helen lived in Cloquet, MN where he worked at Wood Conversion as an Industrial Engineer. In the spring of 1966, they moved to Cokato to focus solely on farming where he expanded the business.
Loren and Helen had three children Steven, Kevin and Sara and seven grandchildren. He delighted having his family together and built a lake home as a gathering place for family and friends for generations to come. Loren was a caring friend to so many, including the close and lasting friendships that were formed during their 24 years wintering in South Padre Island, Texas.
Loren maintained a steadfast faith and gratefulness to God for all His blessings. In his last days, Loren prayed words of thankfulness to God and shared his belief and trust in Him. He proclaimed: “This is my final message- Believe it! Believe!” Loren’s faithfulness is the greatest legacy he leaves for his family.
Loren is survived by his loving wife Helen, three children Steven, Kevin (Jill), Sara (Craig) Holje, and seven grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with visitation from 4-8 PM on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home (655 Broadway Ave. S, Cokato, MN 55321) and continuing 1 hr prior to services at church. www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534