Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Virginia “Ginny” Irene (Wendorf) Anderson, age 87 years and 22 days, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 5, 2014. She was born August 14, 1927 on a small farm north of French Lake, where she lived with her parents, Fred & Hulda Wendorf and two brothers, Hartwell and Harold and one sister Lorayne. When she was about nine years old, her folks lost their farm, during the depression years, and moved to Delano. Her dad worked as a mechanic in Delano. Because of hard times, they moved four times and came back to farm west of French Lake. She lived there until she married Clarence Anderson in 1944 and moved to a farm in Knapp, where she lived the rest of her life. She was confirmed in the Evangelical Free Church in Annandale and when she married Clarence, she joined the North Crow River Lutheran Church, where she remained very active for many years. She found the Lord, as her personal Savior in 1952, which through faith and prayer helped her through many happy times and hard times in her life.
She loved the outdoors and being a “farm wife”. In 1966 she raised chickens and went into the “egg business”. Many people would stop and buy eggs and of course a cup of coffee. Among all of her friends, met many more through the business, who started out as a stranger and left as a friend. She sold her chickens in 1986, and in all those 20 years, never complained of the work. Ginny was a soft-spoken person, with a heart of gold. She loved to mow the lawn, tend to her flowers, get her laundry on the line, (early in the morning), and just be outdoors. She wrote many letters, and never forgot a birthday by sending a card and well wishes. Ginny enjoyed reading, quilting, puzzles, “big noodles” and coffee with family & friends.
She is survived by her five sons: Elroy (Roxann), Bradley (Mary), Larry (Beverly), Michael (Kara), and Lennie, eight grandchildren: Richard, Annette (Joel) Whitson, Jeremiah (Melanie), Marshall (MaryCatherine), Scott (Kassey), Kelsey, Juston (Brooke), Joelle and five great-grandchildren: Trey, Jayden, McKenna, Maylie & Laney. Brother: Harold Wendorf, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; Clarence, parents; Fred & Hulda, brother; Hartwell, sister; Lorayne, and infant granddaughter Kaisa. Peace be to her memory.
Visitation will take place on Monday, September 8, 2014 from 4 to 8 PM at North Crow River Lutheran Church and continue for 1 hour prior to the funeral service, which will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 11:00 am, also at North Crow River Lutheran Church (45 Quinnell Ave SW, Cokato, MN 55321). Internment will immediately follow services at the North Crow River Lutheran Cemetery.

Mark Allen Kotila, 62, was born in Cokato, Minnesota on February 26, 1952, to Nels and Ardyce (Morris) Kotila. He grew up on the farm North of Cokato and lived there his entire life. On November 17, 1973, Mark married his high school sweetheart, Joan Raisanen. They were blessed with thirteen beautiful children.

Mark attended the Auto Mechanics Course at Hutchinson Vo-Tech the very first year it opened. He worked at Cokato Motors Sales in his early years, until he and Joan took over running the family dairy farm full time. In 1998, he sold his cattle and rented out his cropland and concentrated on his excavating business with his son, Nels, where he worked until his death.

Mark was very talented and had many hobbies including mechanics, especially rebuilding and souping up the ’50′s vehicles, his favorite being his ’57 Chev. Some of the highlights of his life were taking sauna, ice fishing on Lake of the Woods, motorcycling out in the mountains, camping along the North Shore, enjoying winter siestas in Mexico on the white sand of the Caribbean Sea with Joan. He loved wheeling and dealing, and spending endless hours in his shop fixing equipment and visiting with friends and neighbors who stopped in to see what his latest project was. He was an innovative inventor, and gardening and cooking were also enjoyable to him.

Mark had a gentle and friendly nature and had a gift of bringing laughs and entertainment to many of us with his ability to mimic people and tell humorous stories of his latest adventures. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and had a special spot in his heart for his grandchildren.

Mark passed away on his beloved farm, on August 23, 2014, doing what he loved to do, working on his latest mechanical project.

He is survived by his wife Joan. Children: Annika (Sam) Mattila of Cokato, Nels (Mary) of Cokato, Mitchell (Anna-Reeta) of Cokato, Bridget (Jeff) Ylitalo of Cokato, Jack (Leah) of Gillette, WY, Natasha (Greg) Jurvakainen of Cokato, Colin of Gillette, WY, Julie (Pat) Lake of Wolf Lake, MN. Ashley (Nathan) Lake of Cokato, Tatiana Kotila of Scottsdale, AZ, Jordan of Cokato, Taylor Kotila of Cokato and Shauna Kotila of Cokato. 41 grand children and 4 step-grandchildren. Sisters; Karen (Larry) Goga, Kathy (Del) Young, Susie Hutchins, Ruth (Darrel) Miller. Father-in-law Paul Raisanen, sister & brother-in-laws, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Nels and Ardyce, mother-in-law Millie Raisanen and brother-in-law Chuck Hutchins.

A Funeral Service will take place at 11 AM, Thursday, August 28, 2014 at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church (16144 20th Street SW, Cokato), with visitation from 4-8 PM Wednesday, and 1 hour prior to services on Thursday, all at the Church. A prayer service will be held at 7PM on Wednesday, and interment will take place at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery.

Scott Jay Miller, age 51, passed away at his home on August 5, 2014. Scott grew up in Georgetown and graduated from Moorhead High School. He attended Farrier Horseshoeing School and worked for a while doing many things. Scott was a member of the United States Marine Corp from 1988 to 1992. Following his service, he moved to Howard Lake where he worked as a farrier and did part time jobs, finally ending up full time at Dura Supreme.

Scott enjoyed participating in reenactments of Old West life and events. He was a member of the Old West Regulators and the Old West Society of Minnesota. Scott also enjoyed woodworking and shooting.

In June, Scott married his wife, Shellie.

Scott is survived by his wife Shellie, parents Don and Fern of Fargo, brothers Milo (Barb) of Buffalo and Mike of Moorhead, stepchildren Miranda and Jasmine Bratton, and a grandson on the way.

A visitation will be held Monday, August 11, from 2 to 6 pm with a prayer Service at 5pm at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake.

Wade Thomas Ashwill was born on June 30, 1976 in Litchfield to Thomas and Sheri Ashwill. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly. Wade graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1995. Following high school he attended Ridgewater College in Willmar.

Wade’s teen years were spent restoring the Challenger with his dad. Wade’s talent and creativity led him to follow in his father’s footsteps building beautiful curved staircases and unique woodwork. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was kind to everyone he met. Helping others was a highlight in his day. Wade held a special place in many people’s hearts and will always be remembered for his ability to make everyone feel loved.

Wade was preceded in death by grandparents Richard and Ann Ashwill, and Martin and Violet Mallak.

Wade is survived by his parents, sisters Lisa (John) Holmquist, Lori (Jesse) Trebil, nephews Michael and Luke Trebil, special friends Shannon Mattson and her daughter Kiah, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 10 at 3pm with visitation two hours prior to service at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato.

Arnold Eldon Evenski, age 81, of Dassel passed away peacefully on Monday, July 28, 2014 at his home. Arnold was born on May 11, 1933 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Steven and Alma (Gillitzer) Evenski.

Arnie grew up near St. Joseph, Minnesota and moved to the Stockholm area near Cokato in 1941, where he lived until 1998. He attended Grass Lake, Stockholm, and Cokato schools. Following his schooling, Arnie painted with his father. On November 1, 1952 he was united in marriage to Arlene (Bjork). He began work at Pure Milk, later Mid-America, in Winsted in 1954 where he worked until his retirement in 1997. Arnie and Mae (Erickson) were married on September 25, 1998 and made their home near Dassel.

Arnie was a hobbie farmer. He loved being outdoors hunting, camping, or just walking the bean fields. He also loved motorcycles, purchasing his latest motorcycle at the age of 74. Arnie enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Arnie is survived by his wife, Mae, children Brenda (John), Keith (Joyce), grandchildren Kyle (Nicole) and Amanda, great-grandchildren Kyson and Ashlyn, brothers Roland and Vernon (Diane), along with other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Arlene, and brothers Orvin and Edward.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM Saturday, August 2, 2014 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Darwin, Minnesota.

A Visitation will be 4-8 PM Friday with a prayer service at 7 PM at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and 1 hour prior to service at Church on Saturday.