Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Hoyhtya, Josephine Ann
age 82, of Cokato passed away on February 24, 2015 at the Cokato Manor. Jo was born May 20, 1932 in St Paul, Minnesota to Orion and Frances (Kohanek) Kingstedt. She was baptized at 16 after giving her life to Christ. Jo was united in marriage to Wilmer Hoyhtya on November 15, 1954 in Big Fork, Minnesota. This union was blessed with her greatest joy, 5 children.
She belonged to Cokato TOPS, taught herself to play the guitar, and enjoyed spending time with her family.
Jo is survived by her husband, Wilmer, children, David (Kathy) Hoyhtya of Cokato, Kathy (Keith) Herrmann of Glencoe, and Kenneth (Sheri) Hoyhtya of Cokato, daughter-in-law, Jennie Hoyhtya of Arizona, grandchildren, Stephanie (Greg) Morrison, Crystal (Bjorn) Bakke, Luke (Lindsay) Hoyhtya, Adam (Jennifer) Johnson, Jennifer (Derrick) Todnem, Samantha (Aaron) Peterson, and Kaycie Kellogg, great-grandchildren, Mason, Evan, Aunnalise, Erica, Sydney, Isabelle, Spencer, Julia, Ethan, Noah, Kylan, Baylynn, Makenna, and Kaden, brother Owen (Lois) Kingstedt, and sister-in-law, Gerri Kingstedt.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sons, John and Steven, and brothers, Roger and Richard.
A celebration of Jo’s life took place at 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Elim Mission Church in Cokato with a visitation 1 hour prior to the service.

After passing away at her home in rural Cokato, Betty Jean Johnson, age 84, celebrated her heavenly homecoming on February 8, 2015. Betty, the youngest daughter of Oscar and Elsie Olean, was born on August 26, 1930. She grew up in the Annandale area, graduated in 1948 from Annandale High School, and then lived and worked in St. Paul, Minnesota. Betty was united in marriage to the love of her life, Russell Albert Johnson, on May 13, 1950 at Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale. She worked at the State Bank of Cokato up until 1953 when Russ entered the US Army. They traveled together to army bases in Missouri, Virginia, South Carolina and Tennessee for two years, and upon returning to Minnesota in 1955, Russ and Betty purchased the Johnson Family Homestead seven miles north of Cokato. Over the next several years they worked together to raise four children, farm and establish an electrical business which serviced the community for more than 40 years. During the early years of the business, Betty worked at National Connectors to support the family and fledgling business. In 1984, Betty returned to the State Bank of Cokato where she worked until her retirement in 2014. Throughout their life together, Betty and Russ were active members of North Crow River Lutheran Church in Knapp, MN.
Like the women described in Proverbs, one of her favorite books of the Bible, Betty was known for her noble character, wisdom, generosity, faithful instruction, kindheartedness and genuine love. She lived each moment in the awareness of God’s delight in all of His creation and found fulfillment in being His servant and spotlighting this joy for others. Her optimistic approach allowed her to recognize each moment, ordinary or unique, as an opportunity to learn, to grow, to understand or to celebrate. Betty carried herself with a gentle poise and quiet confidence stemming from a genuine love and concern for all people, especially her family. To them she gave the gifts of love, faith, patience and self-acceptance. Her entire family has been blessed by this remarkable woman and is thankful God placed them in this life together.

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31: 31

Left to cherish Betty’s memory are her children Debra (Neal) Wahlman of Plymouth, Marion (Phil) Lee of Cokato, Randy (Lynda) Johnson of Cokato, and Teri (Jim) Johnson of Big Lake, grandchildren Jon (Jenny) Lee, Bengt (Emily) Lee, Noah (Laura) Lee, Annalicia (Phil) Niemela, Grant Johnson, Zachary Johnson, Calab Johnson, Kate Johnson, Brianna Johnson, Jeremy (Mary) Wahlman-Krogh and Jason (Kristi) Wahlman, great grandchildren Katelyn, Kezia, Ezra, Lilly, Owen, Violet and Etta Lee, Josie and Henry Wahlman, sister Elma Peterson and many relatives and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Johnson, infant son, Mark, parents, Oscar and Elsie Olean and brothers Clarence, Walter, Harold and Robert Olean. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 13, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Cokato with visitation on Thursday, February 12, 2015 evening from 4-7 PM at the church and one hour prior to funeral services. Interment will be in the North Crow River Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Mildred Mavis Haapala passed away at Golden Living Center of Hopkins on February 6, 2015.

Funeral service: 11 AM Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at North Crow River Lutheran Church (North of Cokato)
Visitation: 4-8 PM Tuesday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, and 1 hr prior to service at church on Wednesday
Interment: Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery of French Lake.

Horsch, Marlys Eileen
age 80, of Howard Lake passed away peacefully on February 5, 2015 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on April 2, 1934 in French Lake Township to William and Lucille (Daly) Nelson. Marlys was baptized on December 20, 1934 in South Haven, MN. and confirmed at the Evangelical Free Lutheran Church in Minneapolis on April 25, 1948. She graduted from Cokato High School in 1952. Marlys met Burton Horsch rollerskating in Cokato and they were united in marriage on April 16, 1955 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. In 1963, they purchased their current residence, a family farm in rural Victor Township.
Marlys was very active on the family farm and in the church and community. She enjoyed spending her time driving the lawn mower. Marlys also spent her time gardening, sewing, baking, and with the Howard Lake Seniors. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family.
Survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Burton, children, Aaron (Stacy) Horsch, and Amy (Carl) Fredricks, grandchildren, Adam and Noah Horsch, Jasmine Meservey, Casssandra Fredricks, and Stacie (Shane) Derichs, brothers Dale Nelson, and Dennis (Nancy) Nelson, sister Linda (Dean) Rasmussen.
Preceded in death by her parents, and brother Rodney Nelson.
Visitation: Saturday, February 7, 2015, 3-7 PM at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake and 1 hour prior to the service at church.
Funeral Service: Sunday, February 8, 2015, 2PM at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake.
Interment to follow service at Sunset Cemetery in French Lake Township.

Hamilton, Leland Ray
age 54, of Howard Lake, passed away on January 28, 2015 at his home. He was born on October 3, 1960 to William and Christina Hamilton. Lee’s family resided in the Battle Lake and Fargo areas. He was united in marriage to Katherine Asp, and this union was blessed with 3 children. Katherine passed away in 1998. In 1999, Lee met Cheryl Lauzer and they were wed on October 19, 2002 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota, where they resided.
Lee loved the holiday’s, especially the 4th of July. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, NASCAR, and the Vikings, but most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends.
Survived by his wife, Cheryl, children Jessica, Laura, and Mark, granddaughter Nellie Jane, siblings, Wayne (Bertha) Hamilton, Margie Leinen, Leslie (Carol) Hamilton, Ronald Hamilton, Harry Hamilton, and Dick (Romaine) Hamilton.

Preceded in death by his parents, wife, Katherine, brothers, Arnold and Tommy, and sister, Clara.
A celebration of life will take place at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 6, 2015 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, with visitation beginning at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.