Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Michael Dean Hagen, age 52, of West St. Paul, formerly of Cokato, passed away suddenly Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at his home.

The funeral service will take place Tuesday, April 26 at 2 p.m. at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato.

Arrangements are by the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato.

Michael graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1977, and continued his education at the University of St. Thomas-St. Paul.

He spent the majority of his career in the construction industry, managing home remodels, new construction, and commercial/industrial projects. He owned and operated his own company, Norway Construction, with his mother, Rosemary, for several years.

Most people who knew Mike well knew him to be a sports fanatic – it didn’t matter if it was football, baseball, basketball, the Kentucky Derby or the Master’s Tournament, Mike followed and loved his sports. Fishing was also a great pastime, whether at Lake Washington, the summer get-away to Curly’s Resort, or his big adventures at Lake of the Woods. It gave Mike great pleasure to teach his granddaughter. Anna Elizabeth, the joys of fishing.

Michael is survived by his wife of 18 years, Anna; son Phil O’Connor; father Arthur Hagen; granddaughter Anna Elizabeth; brother Craig Hagen (Marcella); sister Dawn Williams (Edward); and several nephews and nieces, and grand nephews and grand nieces.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Hagen; and a niece, Ashley Rose.

Mike is already missed so greatly by his wife, family and friends. While his life ended far too soon, he will live on in the hearts and minds of those whose lives he has touched.

Ellsworth Harry Borg, age 88, of Waverly and Howard Lake, died Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at Good Samaritan Care Center of Howard Lake.

He was born April 18, 1922, in Howard Lake, the son of Harry and Emma (Kanehl) Borg. Ellsworth was baptized at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake by the Rev. Oetjen, and confirmed in his faith at the same church Dec. 22, 1934, by the Rev. Seltz.

Ellsworth was married to Elsie Ida Tuckenhagen Nov. 24, 1941. Their marriage was blessed with seven children. The family lived in Waverly.

Ellsworth was employed as a mechanic in Winsted.

He enjoyed John Deere Tractors, lawn care and landscaping, and was very involved in Waverly Days.

Ellsworth is survived by his wife, Elsie, of Waverly; sons Leroy of Waconia, Edwin of Howard Lake, and Donald of Waverly; daughters Evelyn Fortuna of Florida, Ann Berish of Hawaii, and Rita Anderson of Excelsior; grandchildren Jodi Reinke, Jeff Borg, Patti Meyer, Leah Stanton, Eric Borg, Steven Borg, Andrew Borg, Danielle Main, Jason Remer, and Jerrod Remer; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David; granddaughter Lori Fortuna; brother Howard; sister Harriet; brother-in-law Leonard Hass; and sister-in-law Martha Borg.

The funeral service took place Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake with Chaplain Bob Haskin officiating. Interment was at Howard Lake Cemetery.

Visitation was Friday, April 15 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.; and continued Saturday for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake handled the arrangements.

Brian Joseph Moorhead, age 66, of Howard Lake, was called to his eternal rest Tuesday, April 12, 2011, while a patient at Hennepin County Medical Center.

He was born June 28, 1944, the son of Claude and Lillian (Claussen) Moorhead. Brian was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Waverly, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School.

After graduating from Howard Lake High School, he served his country in the US Army,

The farm implement store in Howard Lake known as Moorhead Implement was started by Brian’s father. Brian grew up in the shop and was an excellent mechanic, eventually taking over the business from his father.

His talents also included being a welder and fabricator, building a landmark folding dock and hydraulic boat lifts. More recently, he was employed by Woodland Township, retiring in June of 2010.

Brian had a life-long passion for flying airplanes, achieving his pilot’s license at the age of 18. When flying, he enjoyed “buzzing,” which is flying very low over the homes and farms of the people he knew just to let them know he was out flying,

He enjoyed living on the lake, morning coffee at the Winsted Airport, and early breakfasts in Waverly with his friends. His easy-going nature, good sense of humor, and love for life made him special to all who knew him, especially his grandchildren.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Lillian Moorhead.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; son Kyle (Connie) Moorhead; stepsons Bret (Christine) Stueven, and Chad (Kristal) Stueven; step-daughter Jaime (Jake) Diers; sister Joan (Mike) Holtz; brother Barry Moorhead; grandchildren Lindsay Langham, Marshall Stueven, Madison Moorhead, Megan and Loren Stueven, Kayla, Wyatt, Jessica and Nick Stueven; Casey Diers and Emma Diers; nieces; nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.

A celebration of Brian’s life took place Saturday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, with the Revs. Michael Nirva and Martin Schoenfeld officiating. Special music was provide by Jake Diers, Aaron Kubasch, Loren Stueven, and Bret Stueven; and soloist Marge Stueven. Nancy Butterfass served as organist. Interment followed at the Howard Lake Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Brian’s grandchildren, Lindsay Langham, Marshall Stueven, Madison Moorhead, Megan Stueven, Loren Stueven, Kayla Stueven, and Wyatt Stueven. Honorary pallbearers are Jessica Stueven, Nick Stueven, Casey Diers, and Emma Diers.

Visitation was Friday, April 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake, and continued Saturday at the church for one-half hour prior to the service.

Arrangements were by the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake.

Omar Edward Glessing, age 95, of Howard Lake, died Monday, April 4, 2011, at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center.

He was born Nov. 16, 1915, in Howard Lake, the son of Henry and Emma (Zech) Glessing.

A lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Omar was baptized Dec. 12, 1915, by the Rev. A.L. Oetjen, and confirmed in his faith March 24, 1929, by the Rev. C.G. Seitz.

Omar received his education at Rice Lake School, St. James Lutheran School, Howard Lake Public School, Cokato Normal Training, and the Minnesota School of Business. He taught at Grass Lake School for three years before entering the banking business at Dassel State Bank as an assistant cashier.

At the Security State Bank of Howard Lake, Omar held the position of vice president and president. He was also active in banking associations, serving as president of the Wright County Banking Association, treasurer of the Independent Bankers of Minnesota, and as a member of the Agriculture Committee of the Minnesota Bankers Association. Upon retiring in 1983, he had a total of 49 years in banking.

Omar was married to Verna Reiter June 7, 1941. Their marriage was blessed with a son, Rolland.

As a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Omar taught Bible school, sang in the church choir, and served as treasurer and president.

He enjoyed bowling, fishing, and hunting. While hunting in Ontario, Canada in October 1959, Omar had his greatest thrill as a sportsman when he successfully harvested a trophy moose.

Omar entered the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center in 2001.

He is survived by his wife, Verna, of Howard Lake; his son, Rolland and his wife, Jean, of Plymouth; his granddaughter, Dr. Brooke and her husband, Dr. Peter Baggenstos of Minneapolis; his grandson, Peter Glessing of Minneapolis; a brother, Lorren and his wife, Jeanne, of Howard Lake; sister-in-law Eva Glessing; nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives, and friends.

Omar was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Emma Glessing; three brothers, Warren, Howard, and Maurice; and two sisters, Mabel Sherva and Eva Handrich.

The funeral service took place Thursday, April 7, at 2 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, with the Revs. Michael Nirva and Martin Schoenfeld officiating. Special music was provided by soloist Marge Stueven, and Mae Wannarka served as organist. Interment was in the Howard Lake Cemetery.

Visitation was Wednesday, April 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.; and continued Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Pallbearers were Marlin Diers, Delbert Gerdes, Allen Glessing, Daniel Glessing, Neal Glessing, Peter Glessing, and Dr. Roger Handrich.

The Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake handled the arrangements.

Mildred Martha Morris, age 89, Cokato, died Friday, April 1, 2011, at Providence Place Center in Minneapolis.

She was born March 10, 1922, in Dassel, to Charles and Hilda (Harkanen) Tormanen.

Mildred grew up north of Dassel on a farm near Big Swan Lake, and attended Big Swan Country School through eighth grade. She graduated from Litchfield High School in 1941.

Mildred was united in marriage to Alger Morris July 29, 1944. They lived the first few years in Dassel, and from there, farmed by Knapp, then Howard Lake, and West Albion. They moved to Cokato in 1963.

Mildred was a homemaker during her married life and helped out at the family grocery store. She enjoyed baking and spending time with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alger; her parents, Charles and Hilda Tormanen; seven sisters; four brothers; one grandson; and one great-grandson.

Mildred is survived by 10 children: Myron (Laurie) of South Haven, Judy Hill (Calvin) of Plymouth, Jayne Holker (John) of Osseo, Kathy Kesti (David) of Cloquet, Shirley Strohschein (Bruce) of Shakopee, Cynthia of Edina, Vicky Janckila (Gary) of Cokato, Carolyn Compton (Kevin) of Darwin, Mary Piepgras (David), Bradley (Ruth Ann), all of Cokato; 41 grandchildren; and 50 great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Raisanen and Lorraine (Robert) Torola; sister-in-law Hilda Jo Tormanen; brother-in-law Carl (Nora) Morris; and sister-in-law Elizabeth (Marvin) Johnson; along with a host of relatives, friends, and brothers and sisters in faith.

The funeral service took place Wednesday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Dassel.

Visitation was Tuesday, April 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the church.

Arrangements were handled by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato.