Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Paul Raisanen passed away at his home in Cokato on Sunday, January 28, 2018, surrounded by family members.

Funeral Service: 11 AM Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Cokato Laestadian Church at 16144 20th Street SW, Cokato
Visitation: 5-8PM Tuesday, January 30, at the church and 1hr. prior to services on Wednesday.
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery.
K. Paul Raisanen was born July 15, 1925 in Cokato Township, the son of Nels and Mary (Juusola) Raisanen. Paul grew up on their family farm in West Albion.
Paul graduated from Annandale High School in 1943. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950 and served as a radio repair man during the Korean War.
Paul was united in marriage to Millie Halonen on September 15, 1953. They farmed in West Albion until they moved to Pioneer Lane Farm North of Cokato in 1957. There they dairy farmed until their retirement in 1990, after which they moved into town.
Paul passed away at his home in Cokato on Sunday, January 28, 2018. He had reached the age of 92 years, 6 months and 15 days.
Survivors include his children: Randall (Sheryle) of Scottsdale, AZ, Joan Kotila of Cokato, Mary (George) Koivukangas of Cokato, Gordon (Ruth) of Cokato, Kenneth (Pearl) of Greenfield, Bruce (Patricia) of Cokato, Carolyn Mattila of Cokato, Heidi (Lawrence) Torola of Cokato, Warren (Brita) of Peoria, AZ. Susan of Scottsdale, AZ.
Dwight of Annandale, Laura (Evan) Bekkala of Cokato, Gretchen (Mark) Plough of Snohomish, WA. Kirsti (Nicholas) Lang of Lake Stevens, WA. and Philip of New Hope. Many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. He is further survived by sisters and brothers-in-law; Dorothy Raisanen, George Kivisto, Gladys Kariniemi, Sylvia (Walter) Muhonen, Fred (Thelma) Halonen, Lorraine Hillukka, Virginia (Ernest) Lehtola, Connie Halonen, Raymond (Betty) Halonen, LillianYlitalo, Donald (Florence) Halonen, Martha Halonen, and Gerald Anderson.
Paul is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred (in 2013), parents, sons-in law: Mervin Mattila and Mark Kotila, 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, sisters, Martha (Robert) Cress and MaryAnn Kivisto, brother, Niilo, brothers and sisters-in-law: Carl (Eunice) Halonen, Judith Mattila, Paul Kariniemi, Paul Halonen, Edward Halonen, Paul Ylitalo, Douglas Halonen, and Sharen Anderson.

Grangroth (Arvola), Verna Esther
age 84, of Cokato, passed away on January 4, 2018 at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN. She was born December 26, 1933 at home in Sebeka, MN to Hjalmer and Anna (Niemela) Arvola. Verna was baptized and confirmed in the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Sebeka. She graduated from Sebeka High School in 1952. On June 6, 1953 she was united in marriage to Harvey Grangroth at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Sebeka. This union was blessed with 13 children. They made their home farming in Waverly, MN until 1961, when they moved to Cokato. They continued to farm until they moved to town in 2003.
She loved spending time with her family, and baking apple pies, canning and selling their rag rugs, and baked and canned goods at the farmers market. Faith being very important to her, she was a current active member of the Cokato First Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Verna is survived by her husband, Harvey, children, Rebecca Grangroth, Deborah (Robert) Lasanen, Paul (Peggy) Grangroth, Bonita (Charles) Nikula, Diana Grangroth, Julia Grangroth, Timothy (Linda) Grangroth, Theodore Grangroth, Ann (David) Jones, Maria (Daryl) Martin, Wayne (Karen) Grangroth, Steven (Jodi) Grangroth, and Suzanne Bourque, 63 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren, siblings, Leslie (Louise) Arvola, Norma Hillukka, Joyce Kotila, Florence (Don) Halonen, Kenneth (Arlene) Arvola, and David (Mary) Arvola, and Richard North.
Preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Lila Johnson, and Ruth Leukuma, infant brother, Rudy, and grandson, Trent Grangroth, and great-grandson, Danny Lasanen.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, January 8, 2018 with visitation on Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 5-8 PM and continuing 1 hour prior to the service on Monday, all at the Cokato First Apostolic Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534

Clifford Kenton Boeson Jr.
age 69, of Cokato, passed away on December 24, 2017 at the Dassel Lakeside Care Center. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11:00 AM with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Elim Mission Church in Cokato.

Charles Ernest Lehtola 69 of Howard Lake passed away at the St. Cloud Hospital on December 20, 2017.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church, 5939 Oliver Avenue SW, Cokato, Minnesota
Visitation: Begins at 10 AM, on Thursday at Church
Interment: 2 PM Friday, December 29, 2017 at Lakeview Cemetery, on Windy Lake, in Smoky Hollow Township of Cass County. THIS INTERMENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTILL FURTHER NOTICE
Charles Ernest Lehtola, 69, passed away Wednesday, December 20th, 2017 at the St Cloud Hospital.
Chuck was born to Ernest and Beatrice (Leinonen) Lehtola on February 25th 1948. Chuck was the second of four children. Chuck attended Cokato School for his elementary years and then transferred to Annandale School. Chuck married Sharon Elaine Sieg on January 7th, 1967. Two sons were born to them, Donald Charles in 1967 and Brian Harvey in 1968. The family resided in the Town of Howard Lake until they purchased the Sieg farm south of Cokato in 1994.
Chuck worked at several business in Cokato until he got a job at Mammoth Industries in Chaska in 1970. Mammoth closed their doors in 2000 and Chuck officially retired in 2002.
After retirement Chuck enjoyed many mornings having coffee with the guys at Daniel’s Restaurant and going to auctions. Chuck and Sharon have a place in Remer, MN where they made many good friends and spent many enjoyable summers and deer hunting seasons.
Chuck deeply loved his wife, sons, grandchildren and extended family. At family get-togethers he was quite the talker. Chuck also had a soft spot for animals, many four legged ‘children’ lived in their home over the years. In recent years Chuck found enjoyment in reading his Bible and listening to Country Gospel music. He was so proud of a large print Bible gifted to him by his good friend Ron. He also appreciated the support he received from speaking with his good friend, Pastor George.
Chuck is survived by his wife Sharon and sons Donald and Brian & Jen, his friend; ex-daughter-in-law Melanie; grandchildren: Brianna, Brandon; step-grandchildren: Beau (Stephanie), Cameron (Valarie) and Shea (William); step-great-grandchildren: Saylah, Judson, Eliana, Jadyn, Cesar, Charlie Marie, Bane and Eva; siblings Randy and Jeannie; many nieces, nephews and their families; and many friends in the community.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie & Beatrice, infant sister Yvonne, grandparents Matt & Emma Lehtola and Charles & Elvira Leinonen, father & mother-in-law, Harvey & Ruthie, sister-in-law Susan, and many aunts & uncles.

Welle, Donald James
age 82 of Cokato, passed away on December 15, 2017 at Cokato Manor. He was born December 24, 1934 in St. Cloud, MN to Louis and Magdelena Welle. Donnie was the youngest of 8 children. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. He graduated from Sauk Centre High School. Donnie served his country in the United States Army for two years, stationed in Germany. Returning home, he was united in marriage to Judy Sursely in 1958. This union was blessed with two children, Sandra and Michael. They made their home in Cokato, where Donnie was the manager of for several different grocery stores.
Donnie was a member of the Cokato Lions, an avid golfer, and woodworker. He enjoyed fishing in his younger years. He and Judy were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly.
He is survived by his children, Sandra (Cary) Linder of Cokato, and Michael (Rosemary) Welle of Brownwood, TX, 6 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his wife, Judy, and siblings.
A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 18, 2017, 4-7 PM and continuing 1 hour prior to services, all at the Funeral Home. www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534