Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Terry Alan Burkett was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 8th, 1963 to Lavonne Burkett and James “Jim” Burkett. He spent his childhood moving around from Milwaukee to Illinois to Iowa and then finally Waverly, Minnesota where he attended Howard Lake Waverly Winsted High School. Here, he met his wife Judy (Mochinski) Burkett whom he was married to for forty-one years. They had three children and six grandchildren together.

Terry’s greatest joys in life were his family and sports. When his boys were younger, he coached their little league sports teams and when his daughter was a gymnast, he never missed a meet. You could always find him on the basketball court with his kids and all the neighborhood kids shooting hoops or teaching them how to pitch. His endless support did not stop after his kids were grown. He attended all his grandchildren’s events, even driving around the country to ensure he never missed an event. He also stayed actively involved in modified softball and was a member of a dart league. In his spare time, Terry could also be found on a boat fishing, in the casino with friends, or being mischievous and playing a prank on his friends and co-workers.

Aside from being a family man, Terry was known by most within the community for his work as a self-employed painter. He had worked as a painter for many years and started his own business in 1993 that he maintained until his cancer diagnosis.

Terry passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and his Frenchie, Ace on February 6th, 2025 after a long battle with terminal brain cancer. He underwent every treatment option available, even an experimental treatment in hopes that he could help others in his position.

Terry is survived by his mother Lavonne; his wife Judy; his sisters: Bobbie, Lori, and Jodi, and his brother James; his children: Joshua (Jenny), Joseph (Leah), and Ashley (Bennett); grandchildren: Ethan, Bryce, Brayden, Alayna, Rosie, and James; and numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jim; his brother, Mark, and infant brother, Craig.

His Celebration of Life will be held at The Blue Note in Winsted, MN on Friday, February 14, 2025 from 4 PM to 7 PM.

Jacqueline Marion Gice, age 79, passed away February 1, 2025 at Cokato Manor Nursing Home surrounded by family.

She was born in Minneapolis, MN on June 18, 1945 to parents William and Dorothy (Buck) Baxter. She graduated with the Fridley High School Class of 1963. She married Gary Gice in 1966. Together they had two children, Julie & Jonathan.

Jackie loved doing craft projects, making greeting cards, spending time in the flower gardens, sewing and reading. Most of all, she loved her family, friends and pets.

Jackie is survived by her husband, Gary of 58 years, daughter Julie Roelofs, son Jon (Kari) Gice, Grandchildren: Jenna (Lane) Scherber, Nathan Gice and their mother Rachelle, and Zachary Roelofs, and Daniel Roelofs, Great Grandchildren: Cora Sherber and one on the way. She is also survived by sister-in-law Betty Gice, and brother & sister-in law David & Beth Gice. She will be missed by all including many nieces, nephews, cousins, her best friend Barb Nelson (Loyd), many friends and her dog, Rusty.

She was preceded in death by her parents Floyd & Dorothy Baxter, sisters and brothers-in-law Jeri & John Green, Barbara & Lee Johnson and brother, William (Bill) Baxter and several uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Cokato Manor for the kind and loving care they gave Jackie (and her family) for almost 5 years. You were all great!

Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, Minnesota. Visitation will start one hour prior.

Evelyn Darlene Kleve was born in Swanville, MN, on January 29, 1939, to Claude deForest Prickett and Esther Oslund Prickett. She was the youngest of five children. Evelyn spent her childhood in Swanville before moving to Minneapolis, where she attended Roosevelt High School. She married Vernon Kleve, Sr., to which four sons were born. They later divorced after 26 years of marriage.

Evelyn’s life was consumed by being a full-time mother/chauffer to her boys, between baseball and hockey she was either taking them to practice or watching games! In 1973, they moved their family to Howard Lake, and in 1976 they purchased the Lake Bowl, where she helped with the bookkeeping and serving as hostess. Ev worked in a variety of other occupations as well, including Tennant, Dura Supreme, Hutchinson Technology and lastly Aveyron Group Homes, where she enjoyed spending time with her clients and taking them to various activities throughout the Hutchinson area.

Family was important to Ev, and she always enjoyed a family picnic, time at the beach, or celebrating holidays.

Ev passed away on January 31, 2025, two days after her 86th birthday at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia after a brief illness. In her final days, family never left her side, lovingly caring for her every need, as she had cared for her family throughout her many years.

Evelyn is survived by sons: Vernon Jr (Charity), Daniel (Julie) and Robert; grandchildren: Adam (Kelly), Ashley, Holly (Jeremy), Christina (DeAnn), Joshua, Morgan (Troy), McCall (Forrest), Neil (Nicole), Ryan (Melynda), and Kevin; great-grandchildren: Micah, Noah, Isaiah, Jonah, Grady, Sienna, Preston, Spencer, Sophiya, Kendyl, Westin, and numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by parents and siblings, son, Kyle, granddaughter, Madeysen.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM, Sat. Feb 8, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN with visitation 1 hour prior.

Joyce Annette Roepke died peacefully in her sleep at Elysian Memory Care in Chanhassen, MN on February 2, 2025 at the age of 81 years old. She was a proud North Dakota native born on the family farm near Merricourt, ND to Phillip and Emily Young on Oct 22, 1943. She was one of eleven children. She grew up on that same family farm and graduated from Kulm, ND High School in 1961.

She moved to Hutchinson, MN in 1962 and married Roger Wayne Rice in 1963. They had 4 children; Brent, Steven, Leigh and Lynn and lived on Lake Washington near Dassel, MN. Roger died in a car accident in 1977.

Joyce married Roger Leroy Roepke in 1986. They combined their families including daughter Kelli (Roepke) Palmquist. They made their home in Cokato, MN for more than 30 years.

Joyce was an animal lover, an avid gardener and flower “whisperer”. She enjoyed entertaining and making delicious meals for her large family. She and Roger liked to golf and travel internationally. They went on a number of State Farm award trips including Hawaii and Germany. After Roger’s retirement, they enjoyed wintering in Mesquite, NV and visiting Palm Springs all the while perfecting their barbecue expertise.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Roger Roepke; daughter Leigh Sangren; sisters Carol, Lois and Ramona and brothers Gene, Don and Jim.

Survivors include children: Brent (Karna) Rice of Minnetrista, Steve Rice of Benson, Lynn (Scott) Anderson of Montrose, Troy Sangren of Glenwood, Kelli (Tad) Palmquist of Warroad; grandchildren Kristina (John) Lombardi (great grandson Gio), Lauren Rice, Tommy (Kayla) Rice, Jayson Rice, Annelise Rice, Jack Palmquist, Jase Palmquist, Henry Palmquist, Emily Haan and Ashley Haan; sisters Norma (Arlie) Schlect, Ruth (Dennis) Buchholz, Linda Kunerth, Susie (Bruce) Lindgren and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, February 10, 2025 at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota. Visitation begins one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate a memorial to the Alzheimer’s Association.
https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1

W. Keith “Erv” Luhman was born November 18th, 1940 in Howard Lake MN to Lavon and Walter Luhman. He was the youngest of three boys. From an early age, he was a hard worker. Helping with their family’s apple orchard and later at his parents’ restaurant, The Lakeview Cafe. He attended St James Lutheran School and Howard Lake High School. After graduating in 1958 Keith enlisted in the United States Army, serving for 4 years. During his time in the army, he was especially fortunate to be stationed in Bamberg, Germany, given his proud German heritage. Upon returning home he followed in his grandfather’s footsteps working in construction alongside his Uncle Eldon and brother Bob. Through friends Keith and Lorraine met at Breezy Point on Howard Lake and were married on October 10th, 1964. They made their home in Howard Lake and were blessed with 5 children. Erv continued to use his construction talents to build and remodel beautiful homes for his family. He worked in various construction jobs, but cement work remained his favorite. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid sportsman, spending time fishing and hunting. A love for the outdoors he instilled in his children and grandchildren. Erv was an active member of the Sportsman’s Club and taught Firearms Safety classes for 30 years. He proudly served as a volunteer firefighter with the Howard Lake Fire Department and Ambulance for 20 years. Erv was a lifelong member of St James Lutheran Church and served in various roles throughout his years.

Under the care of hospice and his devoted wife, Erv passed away peacefully at home on February 1st 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bob and sister-in-law Doris. Erv is survived by Lorraine, his loving wife of 60 years, his sons: Steve (Angela), Tim (Cheri), PJ (Carrie), and Mark (Barbie) and his daughter Jen (Dan) Christopherson. Erv is survived by 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way). His family always meant so much to him and he will be deeply missed.

Erv’s funeral will be held at St James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake on Saturday, February 8th, beginning with visitation at 1:30 pm and a service to follow at 2:30 pm. Memorial donations would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.