Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Julie Vera (Lindahl) Westerlund, aged 90, of Minnetonka, MN, passed away on August 31st, 2016 at St. Therese Home in New Hope. She was born on November 20, 1925 to Oscar and Pearl (Anders) Lindahl of Howard Lake, MN.
Julie graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1943, where she was a cheerleader and part of the dance line. She worked for many years as a Bridal Consultant for Bjorkman’s. Julie was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Eastern Star. She was also a hardworking member of the Howard Lake Class of 1943 Reunion Committee.
Julie is survived by two sons, Gary of Sun Prairie, WI, and Robert (Jean) of Webster, WI; two grandchildren, Michael Westerlund of Andover, and Cheri Claybaugh of Elko New Market. She is also survived by brothers, Bud (Bernita) of California, and Vic (Delores) of MacGregor, MN, her sister Daisy Binder of Winsted, MN.; and numerous nieces, nephews and their children. Julie was preceded in death by her sister Ruth Mildred (Lindahl) Riewei, her daughter Diane (Westerlund) Peters, and her granddaughter Julia (Westerlund) Ellingson.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 22nd at 12:00PM, at the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1224 6th St., Howard Lake, MN. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at the Howard Lake Cemetery for Julie and her daughter Diane.

Martha Helen Gerard, went to be with her Lord, Jesus, on Saturday, October 8, 2016.

Martha was born the second of fourteen children of Jacob and Eriika (Ammala) Kotila on March 21, 1915, in rural Cokato. She was baptized and confirmed in the faith at the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in rural Cokato, and as an adult she was an active and dedicated member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in French Lake. She lived in French Lake most of her life. Martha worked as a supervisor for Munsingwear in Minneapolis. She resided at Lake Ridge Manor in Buffalo for the past four years.

She was widowed twice and was preceded in death by her infant son, Dennis Gordon Gerard in 1945, her husband Glen Gordon Gerard in 1982, and her second husband, Arthur J. Johnson in 2000. She was also preceded in death by her sisters and spouses, Linda (Wayne) Harmala, Aune (Virgil) Matsen, Lillian (Harold) Matsen, Elsie Kotila, and William Kivisto; and her brothers and spouses, Eino Kotila, Alvin (Hazel) Kotila, Wayne (DeLores) Kotila, Milton Kotila, Reino Kotila, Wesley (Rosalie) Kotila, Roy (Darlene) Kotila, and Donald Kotila. She was also preceded in death by her Gerard and Johnson sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws.

She is survived by her step-children, Philip (Elizabeth) Johnson of Eugene, Oregon, and Carol (Stanley) Vander Kooi of Buffalo, as well as her grandchildren, Suzanne Johnson (Jarrell Johnston) and Corinne Johnson of Eugene, Oregon; Kyle (Karisa) Vander Kooi, and Stacy (Mark) Bajema of Buffalo. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Noah, Clare, and Jack Vander Kooi and Breanne, Eric, and Marie Bajema all of Buffalo.

She is also survived by her sister Helmi (William) Kivisto, Minneapolis, and sister-in-laws, Dorothy (Reino) Kotila of Cokato and Alvina (Donald) Kotila of Litchfield as well as many, many loving nieces and nephews and their families including great-great-great nieces and nephews.

She was quite surprised to have lived to be 101 and enjoyed the commotion of having six great-grandchildren to amuse her. Her quiet and calm presence, sisu, and her strong faith in Jesus as her Saviour will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Funeral Service: 2 PM Saturday, October 15, 2016, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church of French Lake by Pastor Edward Groop.
Visitation: 1 hr prior to the funeral service
Interment: Riverside Cemetery.

Patrick Deputy passed away at his home in Cokato on October 2, 2016. There will be a memorial service at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 2 PM. Visitation will begin at 1 PM.
Patrick Allan Deputy was born on June 26, 1972 at Athens, Ohio to George and Judith (Windhauser) Deputy. He grew up first in Pueblo, Colorado the family moved to Minneapolis then later to Howard Lake, Minnesota where Patrick graduated from High School with the class of 1991.

After High School Patrick worked as a cook at Red’s Pizza in Howard Lake, Bergies Pizza, then Daniels Restaurant in Cokato until they closed. He then became a personal care attendant.

Patrick enjoyed reading and video gaming.

Patrick Allan Deputy passed away on October 2, 2016 at his home in Cokato. He had reached the age of 44 years, 3 months and 6 days.

Survivors include: his mother Judith Lucken, Sister Deb Lucken (Russ Hanson), Brother A.J. Fulks, nieces Jessica Hanson and Jennifer Hanson (Jake). Nephew Russell Hanson Jr. Great niece and nephews Jasin Hanson, Natalie and Wesley Madson. Uncles Mark Windhauser, Brad Windhauser, and Fred Reimer. Many cousins and friends.

Patrick was preceded in death by: grandparents: Ray and Mildred Windhauser, father Donald Lucken, aunts Madelyn Scharlepp and Marie Reimer. Uncle Randy Windhauser, cousins William Scharlepp and Nicholas Anderson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 2:00 PM at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake. Visitation will begin at 1PM.

Dorothy Emily (Asplund) Cochran was born on October 28, 1920 to Benjamin & Ann (Jerabek) Asplund; she was their oldest child and only girl, followed by seven brothers. She was born and raised in Dassel, MN and graduated from Dassel High School in 1937. On December 14, 1940, she married Arnold Ernest Cochran and they welcomed four children into their lives; Judith, Janet, Gary & John. They lived and farmed in the Howard Lake area, moving to town after their children were grown.

Dorothy had a strong work ethic and held various jobs throughout the years, including “farm hand” at home, and after raising her family, she worked at a sewing factory and lunchroom/school aide, and was a babysitter & ‘nanny’ for many. Her most important ‘job’ was being a good wife, mother, grandmother, sister & friend, and a good & faithful servant, a member of First Presbyterian Church of Howard Lake for many years.

She always enjoyed time with her loved ones, and she made new friends easily & accepted everyone! She liked to socialize & visit, sharing stories & sharing her faith, along with many other gifts, treasures & talents! Besides her family, friends & faith, her interests included cooking, canning & baking (the best sugar cookies!!), gardening & caring for her plants, sewing & embroidery, listening to music & the radio news, playing games or working on puzzles, proudly supporting the USA & the military members (especially her sons & family members in the military!), following the MN Twins & following the grandchildren’s activities, too, always cheering them on! She loved family get-togethers & wouldn’t want to ever miss them! She enjoyed any kind of celebration, with family or friends; going to fairs & parades & theatre plays, shopping & eating out, Community Ed & weekend trips, traveling in the past & recalling the past, especially with trips to the Historical Society. She always enjoyed & appreciated these outings; one of her biggest highlights in the past year was going to a Twins game in May 2015!

She always declared her faith & felt so blessed, despite the many trials & hardships she endured, including her own health concerns and many losses over the years. She appreciated what she had, living a simple life, never even driving a car! She maintained a busy & active lifestyle despite that, as her health allowed. She lived alone for 38 years after Arnie passed away in 1976; she moved from her home into an apartment & then moved into the Howard Lake Care Center in 2014, still maintaining a positive attitude & ‘active’ lifestyle the best she could, despite her health declining. As her body & heart were failing, she chose hospice care 5 weeks ago, and so appropriate for her life, after living almost 96 years, she passed away at the care center on Saturday evening, October 1, 2016 with family present; her last ‘family get-together’, filled with laughter, tears, prayers & love. She went ‘home’ peacefully at the end of the day, a day that began with morning devotional readings including “I have fought the good fight” and “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” May she rest in peace…

Dorothy is survived by daughter Judy (Glenn) Mallak, son-in-law Laurel Anderson, daughter-in-law Karlen Cochran; Grandchildren Lisa (Brad) Jurek, Jeff (Julie) Mallak, Brad (Leah) Mallak, Eric (Nikki) Mallak, Ryan Mallak (Tricia Loxtercamp), Chris Anderson (Marlena Mogensen), Dawn (Jerome) Lindquist, Ann Horrmann (Kurt Potvin), Justine (Keith) Damlow, Amy Peters (Jon Brilowski), Beth Cochran, Mindy (Bob) Verhasselt & families, including 25 great-grandchildren & 5 great-great grandchildren (& another due March 2017); brothers David (Lorraine) Asplund & Robert Asplund; and many other family & friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold; daughter Janet, sons Gary & John; great-grandson Erik Horrmann, great-great granddaughter Talon Jade Dressel; parents & brothers Darrell, Richard, Donald, John, Bill Asplund, Sisters-in-laws Martha & Rosella Asplund; many Cochran in-laws, other family & friends.

A celebration of Dorothy’s life will begin on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 with visitation at the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home from 5pm-8pm with prayer service at 7:30pm; a funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 1:00pm at First Presbyterian Church of Howard Lake with special friend Pastor Jacob Van Pernis officiating; pallbearers will be Dorothy’s grandsons & grandsons-in-laws & honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren. Interment will be at the Highland Cemetery, Howard Lake, MN. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN. www.swansonpeterson.com 320-543-3401

Vernon Yager, 91 of Waverly, passed away at the Buffalo Hospital on September 19, 2016. He is survived by his wife Mildred and their children. Funeral Service: 11 AM Saturday, September 24, 2016 at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake. Visitation will begin at 9 AM at church on Saturday. Interment Church Cemetery.
Vernon Louis Yager was born September 16, 1925 on the family farm near Waverly, Minnesota the son of Louis and Meta (Wandersee) Yager. A lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake he was baptized on November 1, 1925 by Reverend C.G. Seltz and confirmed in his faith on April 2, 1939 by Reverend Eugene Seltz.
He farmed his entire life and during the Depression he left home to work for area farmers earning a salary to support his family.
On August 29, 1950 he was married to Mildred Krause. Their marriage was blessed with six children. During the Korean War, he was drafted into the army and served our country for two years.
Returning to the family farm he and Mildred raised their family there as he enjoyed working on the farm until retiring at the age of 78. As important as the farm was to him, it always took second to his family and faith.
It was on September 19, 2016 while with his wife Mildred at the Buffalo Hospital that Vernon Yager was called to his eternal rest at the age of 91 years and 3 days. Yager
He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Meta Yager; son Bradley; grandson Daniel; brother, Alvin Yager; sisters, Meta Krohn, Erma Krohn, and Elda Hagelin.
Vernon is survived by his wife Mildred of Waverly; children Kenneth (Lee Ann) Yager of Maple Lake; Kevin (Cheri) Yager of New Ulm; Allan Yager of Little Falls; Marlene (Greg) Rudenick of Buffalo; Brian (Darlene) Yager of Cokato; 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, sister Lila (Ron) Yager, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Pallbearers are his grandsons Peter Yager, Markus Yager, Jeff Yager, Paul Yager, Joseph Yager, Justin Yager and Cameron Rudnick.
Officiating at the celebration of his life today is Reverend Mark Loder. Nancy Butterfass is serving as organist. Interment will be at the St. James Cemetery on Dutch Lake.
Arrangements are by the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake.