Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Russell Carrol Odell Rokala passed away at the Cokato Manor on March 13, 2017.
Memorial Service: 3PM Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Kingston, 71580 CSAH 27, Kimball, MN 55353
Visitation: begins at 1 PM on Saturday at the church
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery in the spring.
Russell Carol Odell Rokala was born in Kingston Township on December 23, 1932, to Henry and Elma (Tormanen) Rokala. He grew up on the family farm in Kingston, was baptized and confirmed at the Cokato Apostolic Church. On August 7, 1954 Russell Married Betty Lindquist; they were married at Russell’s parent’s home. They made their home first at Russell’s parents, and then Sleepy Eye for a short time then returned to the Dassel and Cokato area where they stayed and raised their family. They farmed and Russell worked for Cokato Township for a time and Annandale Rock Products. He enjoyed heavy equipment.
Russell loved family time, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He enjoyed watching all sports and listening to country music.
Russell passed away at Cokato Manor on March 13, 2017, he had reached the age of 84 years, 2 months and 10 days. Survivors include: his wife Betty of Cokato, children: Debra of Kimball, Terry of Kimball, Joel (Kris) of Dassel, Susan (Dave) Jarl of Kingston and Chad (Melissa) of Cokato. Grand children: Jon Moe, Christa Vaughn, Steve Moe, Beth Klein, Josh Rokala, Jason Rokala, Emily Farniok, Michael Jarl, Alex Jarl and Marquese Rokala. Breanna Rokala, Brenden Rokala, and Benny Rokala. 16 great grand children

Heger, Sondra K.
age 24, beloved daughter of Kristie and Jeff (Terri), died suddenly on 3/11/17. Survived by her parents, grandma, Lucy Vandervort, sisters, Suzy and Stephanie, brother, Jacob, aunt, uncles, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by 3 grandparents. Celebration of life: 11 AM Fri. 3/17 with gathering 1 hr prior at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Glenna Sturman passed away on March 5, 2017 at Cokato Manor.
Funeral Service 11 AM, Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato.
Visitation begins at 10 AM
Interment: Delano Cemetery.

Viola Larson, one of God’s good and faithful servants, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 1, 2017, following complications from Pneumonia. Viola was 93 years old. On Thursday, February, 25, Viola played the piano for her final hymn sing at Heritage place in Cokato MN. Everyone so enjoyed her ministry of music and she always provided a full repertoire of favorite hymns. When she played the hymns everyone enjoyed singing along. She was a great fan of Fanny Crosby, the famous hymn writer and she featured Fanny’s songs in all of her mini concerts.
Viola was born to Joseph and Ruth Willett in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 11, 1924. She dedicated her life to her Lord’s work and at an early age set her goals to serve Him wherever he needed her. She graduated from St. Paul Bible Institute with a degree in Christian Ministry. She married Wallace Larson, whom she met at school. They married on May 30, 1945, in Sandstone, Minnesota and began a lifelong Christian ministry as pastor and wife to churches in Annandale, MN, Fairmont MN, Arthur, IA, Rapid City, SD, Rochester, MN, Clover, MN, and Albion, MN. Since her husband passed away in December, 1986, Viola has lived in the Annandale/Cokato area and is no doubt known by the entire community for dedicated church work, portrayal of “Mrs. Noah” and “Queen Esther” and her wonderful portrayal of the nice old lady who taught everyone about history at Pioneer Park in Annandale. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Ruth and Joseph Willett, her loving husband Rev. Wallace Larson, whom with she is now happily reunited. She is survived by her three children, Dr. David Larson, of Bennett, Co, Dean Larson, of Auburn, CA and Linnea Raasch of Dassel, MN. She has many grandchildren and great grandchildren spread out across the country who will miss her dearly. She was a wonderful example and inspiration to all her family.
Viola’s Celebration of Life will be held, Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Albion Evangelical Free Church, 11480 5th Street Northwest, Cokato, MN 55321. There will be a visitation at 1:00 pm with services to begin at 2:00 pm. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534

Hoium, Helen Elizabeth 89 of Cokato, formerly Hopkins. Passed away at Cokato Manor on 2/23/2017. Survivors include her sons: Robert Snell of Webster WI, and Tom (Gwen) Snell of Cokato. Grand children; Rob, Jordan (Karen) , and Justine. Memorial Service: 2 PM, Wednesday, 3/1/2017 at Mizpah United Church of Christ, 415 5th Ave. N., Hopkins. Visitation begins at church at 1 PM.
Helen Elizabeth Hoium, was born on July 24, 1927, in Parkland, of Douglas County, Wisconsin, to Carl and Elsie (Needs) Petersen. She grew up at South Range, Wisconsin and graduated high school at Superior, Wisconsin. She went on to Teachers College and received her teaching degree at Superior.
Helen taught grade school for 40+ years. Most of them at Mckinley Elementary School of Ham Lake. In 1965, Helen married Kermit Hoium, they made their home first in Coon Rapids, and later Hopkins.
Helen liked to paint, do cross word puzzles, and volunteer. She enjoyed playing the piano and was the choir director at her church, Mizpah United Church of Christ in Hopkins. She also wrote the Christmas Programs there, gave her time to the Los Amigos program for kids, and served on the funeral committee. She was an avid sports fan she especially liked baseball and the Olympics.
Helen passed away at Cokato Manor on February 23, 2017. She had reached the age of 89 years , 6 months and 29 days. Survivors include her sons: Robert Snell of Webster, WI. Tom (Gwen) Snell of Cokato. Grandchildren Rob of Rice Wisconsin, Jordan (Karen) of Howard Lake, and Justyne of Minneapolis. Great-grandchildren: Christopher, Kayla, Nathan, Kaden, Kaitlyn.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents Carl and Elsie Petersen, husband Kermit Hoium, daughter-in-law Jo Ann Snell, sister Margaret Bredshears, and brothers Jack and George.