Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Hanson, Norman Russell
age 79, of Howard Lake, passed away on November 11, 2014. He was born September 8, 1935 in Grove City, MN to Raymond and Mildred Hanson. He attended school in Willmar, MN and moved to Chicago, IL., before returning to Minnesota and was united in marriage to Judith Swanson on October 28, 1967 in Minneapolis, MN. This union was blessed with 5 children. They later moved to Howard Lake, MN. Norman was a hard worker and enjoyed working on cars in his spare time. He retired from the Radison hotel as an engineer.
Survived by his wife of 47 years, children, Warren, Kristal, Russell (Debbie), Benjamin, and Amanda, grandchildren, Jade Grunau, Nicole Niesen, Shane Hanson, Shelby Reid, Jessica Hanson, Jenny Hanson, Russell Hanson Jr., Eric Miller, and Levi Miller, sister, Floris (Donald) Strand, nieces, Gail Gilbert, and Mardee (Dean) Tjepkes, nephews, Jeff (Cher) Strand, and Donald (Pam) Strand Jr., along with several other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, and brother, LeRoy.
Funeral service, Monday, November 17, 2014, 11:00 AM with visitation 1 hr prior to the service at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake

Gregory Allen Hillukka, 40, of Cokato, MN passed away due to a car accident on November 5, 2014.

He was born on August 14, 1974 in Detroit Lakes, MN and his childhood home was in Wolf Lake, MN. After high school, he lived in Fargo-Moorhead while attending college. He spent a few years near Carbondale, CO, but spent most of his adult life in MN. Greg was joined in marriage to the love of his life Jaclyn Mattila on June 18, 2005 in Monroe, WA.

Greg owned and operated a local construction company along with his brother Gary for several years. More recently, he worked in Williston, ND fracking oil.

Greg was intelligent, charming, passionate, and funny. People interacting with Greg always felt his caring presence. He loved to hunt, fish, play and talk about sports such as softball, football, and hockey. Greg was a dedicated father, loving husband and son, protective and fun brother, big dreamer and a great people lover. He was an active member of Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife Jaclyn Hillukka, his children Faye (8), Slade (7), Cora (6), Bryer (5), Brynn (4), Kyla (3), and Ladd (2). He is also survived by his parents, Ernie and Rauha Hillukka, 3 siblings Jodi (Patrick) Tierney, Gary (Aimee) Hillukka, Julie (Jeffrey) Early, father- and mother-in-law Bradley and Maureen (Simonson) Mattila, sisters- and brothers-in-law Erica (Brian) Forstie, Scott Mattila, Courtney (Mike) Kesti, Drew (Ashley) Mattila, Brittany (Bryce) Niskanen, Chase (Lorelle) Mattila, Taryn Mattila, Bree Mattila, Paige Mattila. He also will be missed by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

The visitation will be held Monday, November 10th from 4 to 8PM with singing and service starting at 7. Funeral services will be at 11AM on November 11th. All services will be held at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church. Memorial donations can be made to the Wells Fargo “Greg Benefit” account under Gary Hillukka.

Cowan, James P.
age 56, of Waverly, passed away unexpectedly on October 18, 2014. He was born November 18, 1957 in Buffalo, New York to Bernard and Mary Cowan. He served his country in the United States Army for several years. He is survived by his wife, Sharon. A celebration of Jim’s life took place at 2:00 pm. on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at the Howard Lake Legion.

Kotila, Martin
age 83, of Cokato, passed away on October 21, 2014 at St. Cloud Hospital. He was born April 17, 1931 at home in rural Cokato to Oscar and Hilma Kotila. Martin was raised on the family farm and attended country school at Temperance Corner. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict in Japan. Returning from the service, he was united in marriage to Joyce Arvola in 1960. This marriage was blessed with one child, Jodi. Martin farmed until he begain his career and hobby as a salesman, whether that was farm implements, vehicles, or brooms. His greatest love was spending time with his family.
Martin is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joyce, his daughter, Jodi (Jim) Danielson, grandchildren, Katie (Brian) Larson of Cokato, Annika (Marcus) Johnson of Houghton, MI, Brett Danielson of Dickinson, ND, Chase (Cindy) Danielson of Dickinson, ND, and Courtney Danielson of Cokato. Along with 7 great-grandchildren, Maggie, Riina, Brooklyn, Brock, and Ivy Larson, Clay Johnson, and Maverick Danielson. Sister, Impie Olson of Cokato, step-sisters, Alice Schad of South Dakota, and Helen Maza of Oregon.
Preceded in death by, his parents, step-mother, Annie Kotila, siblings, Nels, George, Earl Kotila, Della Erickson, and Linnea Engstrom, along with step-brother Tom Laurilla.
Visitation, Friday, October 24, 2014 from 4-8 pm, and Funeral Service, Saturday, October 25 at 11:00 am, all at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church, Dassel, MN. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com