Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Phillip Allan “Bogo” Bajari was born on May 20, 1941 to Pat and Shirley (Harrington) Bajari in French Lake, MN where he resided the remainder of his life.

He attended Lee School west of French Lake until 8th grade and then Annandale High School. When young, he worked for Barton Sand and Gravel and French Lake Auto Parts. He married Diana Dawson in 1961. They celebrated their 63rd anniversary on July 24th.

He bought Windy Hill Auto Parts from Roger Christianson in 1964 with his dad Pat acting as a somewhat silent partner. With his brother Larry, they grew 5 acres and 150 cars into 160 acres and over 10,000 cars, specializing in “classics” that drew customers from all over the world. He worked there until the day before his death which was one day short of his lifelong wish. He also owned Sisseton Salvage from 1977 to 1983 and spent many happy years crushing cars on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota.

Bogo was an avid reader with interests spanning from World War II and the Korean War to Native American, Finnish, and Russian culture. His love of music ranged from Tom T Hall, Waylon and Willie, Merle Haggard, and Patsy Cline, to Buddy Red Bow, John Lee Hooker, CCR, Neil Young, and Steppenwolf.

Although a confirmed atheist, he lived a Christian life – opening his home to hitchhikers, young people with bad home lives, stray cats, and anyone else that needed help. He anxiously awaited Lenten fish fries.
He loved little kids, working, coffee, saunas, and interesting people. He proudly never drank, yet failed to admit to his last 13 years of smoking after a 40 year hiatus.

He will forever be remembered for his remarkable memory, efficient conversations, his work ethic, being a good neighbor and champion of the underdog, a penchant for not suffering fools, and an ability to get a hold of people even before cell phones. He had a stoic (or crabby) exterior but a very soft heart.

He is survived by his wife Diana, children Davey (Rita) of French Lake, Hannah (David) Voss of Paynesville, Willie of New London, grand children Greta (Kyle) Johnson of Buffalo, Halley Bajari of French Lake, Storm (Lydia) Bajari of St. Cloud, Susan (Timmy) Kallock and great granddaughter Eden of Paynesville, Hunter (Katie Holtzclaw) Voss of Paynesville; siblings Betty Jane Schaefer of Sun Lakes, AZ, Jerry Joe (Ann) Bajari of French Lake, Larry (Pam) of New London, Linda (Pat) Kerrigan of LaCrescent, MN and Joey (Brad) of Wisconsin; Sister in law Wanda (Dwayne) Lamprecht of Florida and 18 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Riika, parents Pat and Shirley Bajari, inlaws Babe and Ada Dawson, brother in law Allan Schaefer, brother in law Ollie Dawson, niece Sarah Schaefer Lange, uncle Melvin Alama, unadopted son Thomas G. (Heavy) Hanson, and best friend Allan Peterson.

Funeral will be at Kingston Community Center (30840 722nd Ave, Dassel MN 555325) on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 12:00 with visitation one hour before. In his honor, read a book.

James (Jim) Edwin Koivisto was born on February 8, 1948 to Oswald and Lempi (Aho) Koivisto. He passed away at the age of 76 on November 22, 2024.

Jim had various jobs when growing up in Cokato, served in the United States Army during the Vietnam war, and worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation for many years. He enjoyed being with his family and friends as well as traveling and other hobbies.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Phil and Joe. Survived by his sisters Virginia (Gus) Huotari, Maria (Mark) Jarvie and Karen Koivisto; and brothers Paul (Ruth), Mark (Paula), Dave (Josie), and John; and sister-in-law Sandra Koivisto.

A funeral service will take place at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in rural Dassel on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM with visitation 2 hours prior to the service.

Margaret Lorraine Hanson (Chelgren), 98, of Stockholm, Minnesota passed peacefully to her heavenly home on November 13, 2024 at Carver Ridge Senior Living after a long battle with heart disease and dementia.

She was born on May 30, 1926 to Adolph and Agnes Chelgren in Stockholm, Minnesota. She
was very active in high school activities: band, declam, theater, cheerleading, swing band and she
sang in a female group called the Tonettes who performed on WCCO radio in the 40’s. After
graduation she moved to Minneapolis where she took voice lessons at McPhail and attended
secretarial school. She married Orion Hanson on June 4th 1949. They had three children Joni,
Alan and Rogene. She worked as both a secretary and office manager. In 1987 they moved
back into the home of her birth and spent winters in Arizona. She was very involved with both
church and music. She sang in various church choirs, the Minnetonka Symphonals, the
Minnetonka Choral Society and she sang solos for many weddings and funerals throughout the
years. She loved her music, as she loved her family, friends, and God.

She was preceded in death by her husband Orion, her parents, her sister Eldora, and many
friends and relatives.

Margaret is survived by her children: Joni (John) Anker, Alan (Jo Ann) Hanson, Rogene (Scott)
Meriwether and her 9 grandchildren: Andrew, Jay, Alissa, Ben, Heidi, Chris, Jennifer, Courtney
and Dustin and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be Friday, November 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Stockholm Lutheran Church -
16133 County Rd 30 SW Cokato, MN with visitation at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at the Stockholm Cemetery.

Memorials requested to: Stockholm Lutheran Church, Good Shepard Free Lutheran Church,
Ridgeview Hospice, or Minnesota Valley Women’s Chorale.

James Allen Heuer
January 14, 1935 – October 31, 2024

Jim Heuer, age 89 of Howard Lake passed away on Thursday, October 31st at The Lodge Assisted Living Facility in Howard Lake, MN after a short battle with leukemia. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion and a proud United States citizen.

Jim was born January 14, 1935, to William and Selma (Rosenberg) Heuer in Bertha, MN. He was the fifth of eight children, with three sisters and four brothers. Jim grew up on the family farm two-and-a-half miles south of Bertha.

Jim served in the United States Army from December 1954 to September of 1956. His occupation was listed as weather observer; however, his mathematics skills were also called into play in his service. After leaving the service, Jim became a law enforcement officer serving Todd County, the City of Wadena and eventually Renville County, all in Minnesota.

Jim was a proud father of four boys with his first wife, Patricia, living and raising the boys in Long Prairie and Wadena. Jim later met Betty Gerdes and they were wed on February 11, 1984 in Hector. After a few years in Hector, they chose to relocate to Apache Junction, AZ. They both worked at Tri-Rentals in Phoenix until their retirement. They lived a total of eighteen years in Arizona before deciding to move back to Minnesota and found a new home in Osakis. Both Jim and Betty were active members of the Osakis Lutheran Church. In early 2020, a health concern brought the need for him to be closer to family and he relocated to The Lodge Assisted Living facility in Howard Lake, MN.

Jim loved to garden, fish, hunt and golf with his extended family. A card shark until the very end, he could look at a cribbage hand and know the score of all hands before his opponents could add only their own. Jim was an avid follower of local sports teams and supported his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in their activities whenever possible. Upon relocating to Howard Lake, Jim joined the St John’s Lutheran church family and quickly became a beloved member. He sang in the choir and regularly read the scripture readings for Sunday services. He was also unofficially designated as the social director of the assisted living facility. In his retirement, Jim also volunteered at Love INC (a local non-profit) in Howard Lake several days a week. Jim created “family” wherever he went in his later years.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; son William (Billy) Heuer; stepson Thomas Cummens; his parents; brothers Don and Jerry; sisters Mona and Carolyn; ex-wife Patricia Heuer.

Jim is survived by sons; James (Patty) Heuer, Carey (Missy) Heuer, Patrick (Michelle) Heuer; daughter-in-law Debra Heuer; four stepchildren Richard (Denise) Cummens, Donna (Jerry) Strobel, Pattie (Don) Miller, Lori (Mark) Rath, Gregory (Amanda) Cummens; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister and brothers Maxine, Wally and Chuck. He is also survived by a plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11 AM with a visitation one hour prior to the service at St John’s Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, MN. A lunch will be served following the service. Inurnment will take place at Ft Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis in the spring. The service will be broadcast on the St John’s Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnshowardlake

Memorials are preferred to the Organ Project at St John’s Lutheran Church, PO Box 307, Howard Lake, MN 55349.

Kathleen Rose Wallat born on December 3, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2024.

Kathy had a dedicated career with the Bureau of Mines, where she met and married Jim Wallat. Throughout her life, she made it a point to connect with family, never missing a birthday or sending a card during the holidays. Her thoughtfulness was a testament to her love for her family.

An adventurous spirit, Kathy enjoyed traveling and lived in various places, including Minnesota, Washington, D.C., and Arizona, where she sought a warmer climate. A breast cancer survivor, she was also a proud holder of 17 years of sobriety medallion. In a true display of compassion, she returned from Arizona to care for her former husband during his battle with cancer, cherishing the time spent with him in those final days. Her love extended beyond her family to her beloved dog, Max.

Kathy is now at peace with her mother, Genevieve Ecker, father Rush Ecker, Max, and many other cherished family members who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her cousin Charleen Bacigalupo, Monica Anderson (Bacigalupo), her long-time friend Reverend Alta Jewel and her children, who she spent time with over the years. Kathy will be remembered for her kindness and the love she shared with those close to her. She loved the Lord, and the Lord has her now.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at the Howard Lake City Cemetery.