Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Arlene Ann Russell passed away at the Cokato Marnor on February 21, 2017.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11 AM Saturday, February 25, 2017 at St. Johns Catholic Church of Darwin
Visitation: 4-7 PM Friday, at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and 1 hour prior to service at church on Saturday
Interment Church Cemetery
Arlene Ann (Boerner) Russell was born on June 5, 1933, in Litchfield, Minnesota to William and Mary Magdalyn (Turck) Boerner. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Phillips Catholic Church of Litchfield.
In 1951 Arlene graduated from Litchfield High School. In 1953 she married Ralph Russell. They lived in Dassel for two and a half years before moving to the Russell family farm east of Dassel, where they were blessed with 6 children: Jerome (Jerry), John, Joel, Mary, James (Jim) and Jeffery (Jeff). Arlene was employed for nearly 30 years at the Cokato Manor as a C.N.A. and rehab aid, and at Lakeview Ranch by Darwin.
She was a active and dedicated member of St. John’s Catholic Church of Darwin where she taught catechism, did jail ministry, and brought the Holy Eucharist to, and visited with the homebound, she also did scripture meditation at various places and taught religious instruction. The Russell’s were pleased to provide the land for the St. John’s Educational Center. In 2009 Arlene and Ralph left the farm and moved into a townhouse in Dassel.
Arlene passed away at Cokato Manor on February 21, 2017. She had reached the age of 83 years, 7 months and 16 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Fred (Helen), Clifford (Shirley), Orville (Delores), and James Boerner and brother-in-law, Bill Necklen. Sisters: Lucille (Jed), Adeline (Orville), and grandson Jesse. Survivors include: Her husband of 63 years, Ralph and their children: Jerome (Liz) of Duluth, John (Jenny) of Cokato, Joel of Cokato, Mary (Kelly) Sinclair of Monticello, James of Cokato and Jeffrey of Cokato. Grandchildren: Michael Russell of Big Lake, Jonathan (Cheryl) Russell of Marietta, GA, Sarah (Peter) Wlosinski of Duluth, Jordon Russell of Hutchinson, Andrew Swan, Alex, and Logan Sinclair of Monticello, Brandon (Carman) Russell of Buffalo, Scott (Liz) Russell of Howard Lake, Ashley Russell and fiancé Austin Peterson of South Haven, Daniel of Cokato, Zack, Tyler, and Tara Russell of Hutchinson. Great grandchildren: Elizabeth, Caleb, Nolan, Brielle, Avery, Raylan, Whitley, Harper, Arianna, and Jameson. Special Granddog, Jaxon.
She is further survived by: Brothers and sisters: Isabelle Kolarchik of Butte, MT, Vernon Boerner of Butte, MT, Louise Necklen of Monticello, Jerry (Millie) Boerner of Burnsville, Willard (Geri) Boerner of Minnetonka, Brother Peter Claver, OFM of Manitowoc, WI,and sister-in-law Joan Boerner of Minneapolis. In addition to many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Arlene is preceded in death by her parents William and Mary Boerner, grandson Jesse, and 6 siblings.

Loren Roepke was born in Hutchinson, Minnesota on November 11, 1946. He was a life-long resident of Minnesota graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1965. He married Karen Lee Reyo on April 27, 1968. He served in the U.S. Army in the 452nd General Supply Company in 1968 and 1969. After returning from Vietnam, he worked at the Eaton Corporation for 35 years. He and Karen lived in Glencoe until 1984 when they moved north to Cokato. He had a life-long love for antique cars—particularly his 1937 Ford grain truck. He enjoyed threshing bees, camping, and spending time with his dachshund Bodsie.
Loren passed away at home on February 19, 2017. He reached the age of 70 years, 3 months, and 8 days.
He is survived by his wife, Karen; his brothers: Melvin, Virgil, and Glendon Roepke; his children: Debra Roepke, Robert Roepke, and Michele Roepke Skoog; four grandchildren: Sophia and Charissa Nelson, Emma and Greta Skoog.

Visitation begins at 1 p.m. with memorial service at 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 23 at Cokato Manor, 180 Sunset Avenue N, Cokato MN. Interment: 11:45 a.m. at Fort Snelling on Monday, February 26. All are welcome. Please be on site by 11:30.

James Toralv Shofner of Howard Lake passed away at Harmony River Living Center of Hutchinson on February 15, 2017
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake
Visitation: beginning at 1 PM Sunday
Interment: Riverside Cemetery of Osage, Minnesota
James Toralv Shofner was born on February 24, 1938, at Nimrod, Minnesota to Rynard and Olga (Olson) Shofner. He was baptized in the Baptist Church. He grew up in northern Minnesota attending Park Rapids High School first and graduating from Hibbing High School.
After High School, he lived in Aurora and worked in the Iron mine. He entered the United States Army. After service, he came back to Aurora to work in the mine. James later moved to Minneapolis and went to work for Bennett Material Handling, as a fork lift mechanic. He worked there for 30 years retiring in 2000.
In 1968 James married Connie Kimler. On November 11, 1989 James married Jo Ann Beyer-Gehrke. In 2001 the couple moved to Howard Lake.
James liked the outdoors, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He liked old cars and restored a 1951 Cadillac. He was a member of operating engineer’s 49 union.
James passed away on February 15, 2017 at Harmony River Living Center of Hutchinson, Minnesota. He had reached the age of 78 years, 11 months and 21 days.
Survivors include: wife Jo Ann of Howard Lake, son Michael (Tanisha) Shofner of Arden Hills. Daughter Shelly (Justin) Pintabona of Petaluma, California. Step son Tony Gehrke of Annandale. Grandchildren: Abigail, Parker, Mason, Brittany, Shelby, Sara Jo, and Dylan. Great grandchildren: Hailey, Devin, Raven, Karter, and Arlo. Brothers and sisters: Donna (deceased), Gene (Alice), Jerry (deceased) his wife Carol, Pete (Judy), Bard (Vicki), Barbara (Ronald), Sheryl, Caroline (John), Russell (Debbie), Allen (Mike) deceased, Laurie, Edna (deceased) and Elizabeth. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ohm, Viola Elvira
age 98, of Litchfield, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, February 13, 2017 at Meeker Manor Nursing Home in Litchfield. She was born December 21, 1918 in New Germany, Minnesota . She was united in marriage to Carl “Charley” Ohm on April 2, 1936 in New Germany. This marriage was blessed with 4 sons: Gerald, Loren, Curtis and Roger. After marriage, Charley and Viola lived in Belle Plaine, MN for a time before moving to a farm in Greenleaf and eventually purchasing a farm northeast of Dassel. From there, they moved to Cokato and later resided in Litchfield.
Viola enjoyed baking bread, quilting, and taking care of her family. She worked for several years at Jennie-O Produce in Litchfield and later at Tonka Toys in Mound, MN, retiring years later.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Charley, 4 brothers, 4 sisters, 2 sons, Gerald and Loren and 3 grandchildren, Keith, Jennie and Linda Ohm.
Viola is survived by 2 sons, Curtis (Barbara) and Roger (Lynn), 6 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great great-grandson.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Meeker Manor (600 S. Davis Ave, Litchfield, MN) with visitation beginning at 1:30. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Doris Adelle Gerber of Cokato passed away on February 6, 2017, at the home of her niece.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Friday, February 10. 2017 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato
Visitation begins at 9:30 AM on Friday at Church
Interment will be at the Cokato City Cemetery
Doris Adelle Gerber was born on August 18, 1919, in Middleville Township, Minnesota to Walter and Alice (Beckman) Melquist. She grew up on the Melquist farm, attended grades 1-8 at Melquist country school, and graduated from Cokato High School in 1936. She went on to Beauty School in Minneapolis in the fall. She came home in the spring and went to work for Freda Olson. Doris worked there a year then started her own beauty shop in Cokato.
In 1942, Doris took the train to Ft. Ord, California to marry her sweetheart Leo Gerber, soon to be sent to the Pacific Theater. They were married on December 11, by Chaplin Stout. She returned home to wait for 4 years while Leo finished his time in military service. When he returned they made their home in an apartment above Moberg Motors in Cokato. In 1950, they purchased the farm, where Doris stayed even after Leo’s death in 1992.
Doris was a hard worker and loved the farm. She was a good cook, and her specialties were fudge and potato salad. Most of all she loved her Lord and her family.
Doris passed away at the home of her niece, Dianne Zitzloff, on February 6, 2017. She had reached the age of 97 years, 4 months and 18 days.
Survivors include: son Rick (Marcia) of Aitkin, daughter Ronette (Martin) Badalucco of Las Vegas, Nevada. Grand children: Anne (Jerry) Daniels, Mark (Molly) Gerber, Jill (Travis) MacLeod, Kerrie (Brian) Rovito, Kellie Badalucco. Great Grandsons: Beckett MacLeod, Crosby MacLeod, Jacob Rovito. Brother Virgil Melquist. Sisters-in-law: Helen Melquist and Esther Olson.
She is preceded in death by her parents: Walter and Alice Melquist, husband Leo Gerber, brothers Wally Melquist, and Lloyd Melquist, sister-in –law Lucille Melquist and nephew Loren Melquist.