Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Welton “Tuffy” Jerome Zander was born to Herman and Agnes (Shepperd) Zander on July 20, 1922. He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church where he was baptized on August 20, 1922 and confirmed on April 14, 1935. As a member of St. James he served on several boards and committees, was involved in Bible classes and enjoyed singing in the choir for over seventy years.
Welton and Harriet Anderson began their 63 years of married life on July 18, 1942. They lived on the home place where he farmed and milked cows until 1965 when he and Harriet purchased the Lake Bowl which they ran until 1974. During that time they built the Village West Apartments and a house where they lived until moving to Heritage Square in 2004. Harriet preceded him in death in 2006 and he continued to reside there until becoming a resident of Good Samaritan Care Center in March, 2011.
Over the years Welton was active in county and community affairs. He served on the Wright County Fair board for 20 years and as mayor of Howard Lake from 1979 to 1990. He enjoyed volunteer driving and assisting in activities at the Care Center. He received the special honor of being named Wright County Outstanding Citizen in 1996. Both he and Harriet were active volunteers of the Wright County Historical Society. Welton was a current Charter member of the HL Lions established in 1978.
As a resident of the Care Center he witnessed his faith in word and deed to those with whom he had contact. It was there Welton died on Monday, February 3, 2014 at the age of 91 years 6 months and 14 days.
Left to mourn Welton’s departure are his four children; Suzanne (Evan) Schiller, Larry (Jane) Zander, Rebecca (Gary) Hagemann and Lizabeth Striegel; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Ione Swedberg and Geri Anderson; and a brother-in-law, Vergil (Geri) Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Harriet, and two brothers, Harold and Gordon.
A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, February 7, 2014 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2014 from 5-8pm at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake and continuing 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Walter “Tex” Landon Knutson, of Annandale, Minnesota, went to be with the Lord Friday, January 10, 2014 after a long courageous battle with cancer at the age of seventy-seven years, one month and two days. Walter was the son of Kenneth and Ina Knutson, and was born December 8, 1936, in Cokato, Minnesota.
In addition to his parents, Walter was preceded in death by his son, Billy Joe Knutson and daughter, Emmy Lue Knutson.
Walter is survived by his loving wife of almost 54 years, Chere Knutson; their daughter, Bobbi Jo Knutson-Saari and husband Seth, of Hartville, Missouri; son, Brian Knutson and girlfriend Tammy, of Annandale, Minnesota; daughter, BettyJo Minardi, Jr. and husband Angelo, of Groesbeck, Texas; sister, Carol Ericksen and husband, Bob, of Annandale, Minnesota; grandchildren, Jacob Saari, Rebecca Knutson, Brandon Knutson, Montgomery MacDonald, Angelina Minardi, Jr., Elisabeth Minardi, Jr., Trinity Minardi, Jr., and Baby Angelo Minardi III; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Walter was raised and lived in Annandale for nearly 30 years. He joined the Army in 1957 and served 6 yrs active/reserves, honorably discharged in 1963. He and Chere were married on March 17, 1960, and moved to LaFeria, Texas in 1965. Walter, Chere and their three children lived in the Lower Rio Grande Valley for nearly twenty years where they raised cotton, citrus, livestock, and he also worked as a mechanic. They moved back to Annandale in 1984 to help with the family farm.
Walt was mechanical by nature and had a long career repairing everything from small engines to heavy construction equipment. He also spent several years working for Howle Industries in Annandale, Minnesota, in metal fabrication.
“Tex” spent his younger years, working the big stock yards in Texas, riding broncs in local rodeos and hunting and fishing any chance he got, whether it was catching Redfish in the Gulf of Mexico or ice fishing on one of the numerous lakes in Minnesota during the long cold winters.
Walt loved spending time with his grandkids; they always brought a big smile to his face.
Walter was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and loyal friend. We celebrate his life and patriotic spirit and we will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends.
Walt was a Godly Man with a well worn Bible. It comforts us to know that we will be reunited in heaven one day.
A memorial service will take place at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 at 1:00 pm.
Internment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in French Lake Township. Fellowship at French lake town hall following burial.

Eckhoff, Mary Helen

age 97 of Cokato, passed away at the Cokato Manor on Thursday, January 23, 2014. She was born December 14, 1916 in Henning, Minnesota to Hiram and Mary (Davis) Vought. She was raised on the family farm in Girard Township. She attended country school. Helen was baptized and confirmed in Seattle, Washington. She was united in marriage to William Eckhoff on September 21, 1937. This union was blessed with the birth of two sons and a daughter. Helen and Bill had traveled to Washinton State together with Helen’s father, where they worked various jobs. At the start of the war they bought a house on Beacon Hill in Seattle where they lived until returning to Minnesota in 1945 to farm near Henning. In 1966 they returned to Seattle were Helen worked in the airline industry on Boeing 747 aircraft. She returned to retire in Dassel Minnesota in 1974.

She is survived by her son Richard (Judy) Eckhoff of Cokato, Son-in-law Dennis Cross of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Daughter-in-law Phyllis Eckhoff of Sauk Rapids, Sister-in-laws Vera Eckhoff and Lucia Kennicut. 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson, along with several other family and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Roger, and daughter Barbara Cross along with 4 brothers and one sister and one Great-Grandson, Andrew Eckhoff.

Funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Monday, January 27, 2014 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake with visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake & Cokato (320)543-3401 www.swansonpeterson.com

Finch, Bradford D.
LOVING FATHER & GRANDFATHER

age 96, of Golden Valley, Plymouth, Minnetonka, & Cokato, MN, passed away peacefully, just into the New Year, on Sunday, January 5, 2014. Preceded in death by Dearest Wife, “Frankie” & Sister, “Betty” Schroder of Bellevue, WA. Survived by his children, daughter, Cathie (Skip) Hall of Annandale; son, John (Debbie) Finch of Brooklyn Park; six grandchildren: Britt Stroup & son, E.J., Tucker (Emily) Hall & daughters, Clara, Naomi & June, Emily (Justin) Kolflat & sons, Jeremy & Robbie, Tracy (Andre) Levin & son, Henrik, Allison (Luke) Eppard & sons, Drew & Jack, Jamie (Megan) Finch; Nieces: Heather Adams, Diane Zehnder, Betsy Adams, & Robin Robertson, & their families, in the Pacific Northwest; Special Cousins, Charlane Macon & Ronald Finch of Florida; along with a multitude of Special & Dear Friends in MN, MT, IA & Germany. Brad was born in West Union, Iowa, on June 5, 1917, to Aulden Duane & Xanta (Talcott) Finch. He graduated from West Union High School & went on to both Luther College & the University of Iowa, graduating with a Degree in Law. During WWII, Brad served onboard The USS Merick, later becoming a LTCMDR in the US Naval Air Corps as a Flight Instructor. Working into his 90’s, Brad’s Insurance Business, VIP, featured Estate Planning & Annuities for individuals, school districts & businesses. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter & Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, member of the Golden Valley Rotary, Little League Coach, Pack & Scout Master of GV Troup 306, Dale Carnegie Instructor & Direct Descendant of Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth Colony. Brad enjoyed spending time with Family & Friends, Fly Fishing on the Bitterroot, blazing trails on his 4-Wheeler and Dirt Bikes, along with loving Endless Summers at the Cabin in MT. He’ll especially miss Sat. Morning Bible Study with the “Guys” in Cokato & sends Special Hugs to Friends & Loving Care Givers at Cokato Manor.
A Gathering of Family & Friends to be held Wednesday, January 22, 2 PM, at The Cokato Manor Chapel, 182 Sunset Ave., Cokato, MN. The family will greet friends ½ hour prior to the service. Memorials may be sent to the Donor’s Choice.
*Arrangements with Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home, Cokato, MN 320-286-2534

With Final Resting Spot to be in Montana…at the Cabin…by The River-The LAST BEST PLACE!

Norma Jean Donovan passed away at Cokato Manor on January 12, 2014

Funeral Service: 11 AM Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Wasburn McReavy Swanson Chapel at 1600 Lowry Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota