Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Esther Margarite Pronk was born on August 20th, 1930 in Murray County, Minnesota to Lou and Wilhelmina Pronk.

Esther grew up in rural Minnesota along with her 10 siblings. Hard work on the farm was a normal part of her life, which did not phase her. She was united in marriage to Wilbur Van De Steeg on September 7th, 1948. Soon after, 9 children were born in Slayton MN, Clear Lake SD, Watertown SD, and Artesia CA. Eventually, they resided on a rural farm in Cokato MN. In December of 1985, Wilbur Van De Steeg passed away and Esther moved into the town of Cokato. Esther then spent a short time in Tavares Florida where she enjoyed the warmer temperatures and time with her sisters and friends. When she was in need of more care, she returned to Cokato. She eventually moved into Cokato Manor where she really enjoyed her final years of life.

Esther’s life was centered upon her family and a work ethic that no one could match. She always gave more than she ever received and never left anyone out of her generous love. She exemplified grace in action and at times with an attitude that you would soon not forget! She would often be seen playing Skip-Bo or Fast Track, doing puzzles, or baking cookies and pumpkin bars. She loved to cheer on her children and grandchildren in any sporting event. She enjoyed reading Louis L’amour books, collecting Dutch blue delft, and winning little animal figures while playing bingo. She took care to put on fashionable jewelry, makeup, and a splash of White Diamonds perfume before heading out to go shopping, worship at New Life Assembly of God church, or simply going to lunch at the Cokato Manor cafeteria.

Esther Margarite Van De Steeg, died peacefully Saturday, October 12th, 2024 at Cokato Manor in Cokato, MN. She was 94 years old.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents Lou and Wilhelmina Pronk, her husband Wilbur Van De Steeg, son Jerry “Cody” Van De Steeg, infant daughter Patricia, infant granddaughter Stacy, brothers Nick Pronk, Bud Pronk, Lou Pronk and Thorton Pronk, sisters Fannie Abbink, Elsie Mihlenbeck, Joan Dewyer, and Louise Achterhoff.

Esther is survived by her children: Pamela McDowell (Gary), Terry Van De Steeg (Mary), Larry Van De Steeg (Joann), Valerie Donaldson, Sandra Bernhardt (Sol), Sheila Fleischhacker (Fred), Gary Van De Steeg (Brenda) and Perry Van De Steeg (Cindy).

She is further survived by her grandchildren: Amber, Shana, Brandon, Jennifer, Willie, Jessica, Salem, Scott, Stephanie, Shari, Cassie, Ellie, Micah, Josiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Zoe, Grace, Todd, Jeff, Kurt, Patricia, Lola, Stephanie, Nathan, 32 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, sisters Leone Goding and Alice Schriver along with many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, October 17, 2024 followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM at New Life Assembly of God Church – 190 Johnson Ave NW, Cokato, Minnesota.

Donald Frederick Drusch age 92, of Howard Lake was called to his eternal rest on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Park View Care Center in Buffalo.

Don was born on August 16, 1932 in Montrose to Frederick and Katherine (Gloege) Drusch. He was baptized and confirmed in the faith at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Delano. After graduating from Buffalo High School, Don served a two-year enlistment in Germany as a member of the United States Army.

Don married Arlene Kraft in 1956 and they were blessed with four children. Five short years later, life took a terrible turn when he lost an infant son and then his wife in death, within a two-year span.
In 1963, Don married Darlene Smith. Being blessed with three children between them, they were married for 16 years and together raised six children. Don worked hard to support his family having been employed at Dahlberg Lumber, Judd Distributing (Wausau Homes), and Donnie’s OK Hardware.

Don’s family grew again when he married Ruby Schmieg in 1980 gaining 3 additional step-children and their families. Together Don and Ruby owned Donnie’s OK Hardware, enjoyed time up north at their cabin, weekly dinner at the Legion with friends, and hosted many holidays and celebrations with their big family.

Don’s hobbies included fishing, hunting, tending to his beautiful flower gardens, playing Cribbage and many, many games of Dominoes, even just months before his death.

He is survived by his children: Steve Drusch of Stacy, Connie (Bob) Svendsen of Champlin, Joe (Karen) Drusch of Howard Lake, Debbie (Michael) Vialpando of Colorado Springs, Danny Drusch of Park Rapids, Donna (Steve) Gatz of Howard Lake, Barry & Teresa Schmieg of Howard Lake, Vickie Schultz of Mayer and Scott Schmieg of Eden Prairie. 24 Grandchildren and 22 Great Grandchildren, plus two more on the way, and sister, Elaine (Larry) Heyer.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, October 21, 2024 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Visitation to be held one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials are preferred to: Howard Lake Legion Veteran’s Memorial.

Arrangements by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cokato and Howard Lake, Minnesota. www.swansonpeterson.com

Lois Joan Engel
1/15/1931 – 9/30/2024

Lois Joan (Carlson) Engel was born on January 15, 1931 in Kandiyohi County near Spicer, MN, the youngest of six children of Albin and Ruth Carlson. She was baptized in the Presbyterian Church in Spicer and confirmed in the Dassel Mission Covenant Church.

Lois graduated from Dassel High School with honors in 1949. She attended St. Cloud Teachers College and graduated as an Associate in Education and later obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State College. She taught elementary education in Howard Lake, Cokato and Mound for a total of 34 years and served as a substitute teacher many years thereafter.

Lois married Jerome Engel on June 11, 1954. Lois and Jerome were blessed with four children; Deborah, Brian, Timothy and Joel. They made their home on a dairy and crop farm southwest of Howard Lake.

She was an active member of St. James Lutheran Church; singing in the choir, leading devotions in Sunday school, serving on the Evangelism Board and LWML offices. Lois loved flowers, especially roses, and tended her garden for many years. She enjoyed card-making, embroidery, board games and jigsaw puzzles. Lois also was an avid sports fan and loved watching her children and grandchildren participating in many sport. Later in life, she thoroughly enjoyed fellowship with her coffee group.

Lois is survived by her sons Brian (Sandy), Timothy and Joel (Karen), son-in-law Gordon Baxter; grandchildren Brooke (Marc), Scott (Angie), Derrick (Alexandra), Colin, Kaylee, Andrew, Sean (Ashlyn) and Taylor as well as great-grandchildren Bradley and Jackson and nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by spouse Jerome Engel, daughter Deborah Engel Baxter and parents Albin and Ruth Carlson, as well as sister Lorraine Carlson, sister Marilyn and brother-in law Donald Fredrickson, brother Donald and sister-in-law Lorraine Carlson, brother Robert and sister-in law Ethelyn Carlson and sister June and brother-in-law Delmond Borg.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 from 4-7 pm at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake. Funeral Services will be Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake with visitation one hour prior.

Jean Schmidt of Howard Lake, MN, formerly of Minneapolis, unexpectedly passed away on September 19, 2024 at the age of 86.

Preceded in death by parents Frank and Genevieve Spano, husband Eugene R. Schmidt, sisters Barbara M. Enrooth (Ronald), and Leoria Spano (infant). Survived by sons Gary (Connie) Schmidt, Christopher Schmidt (Yangmee Thao, partner), grandchildren Alicia Schwarze, Nicholas Schmidt, Chase Schmidt, and Lexis Schmidt and 2 great grandchildren – Zachary and Dominic Schwarze.

Jean graduated from Edison High School and eventually became the matriarch of Timbers Resort in Howard Lake for several years. After the resort was sold, she spent many years at Cokato Licensing, working well into her 70’s. A true “go-getter” she took care of the many “older folks” in the neighborhood.

Active with the American Legion Auxiliary Post 145, holding many officer positions to include President, and involved with the VFW and DAV Auxiliaries. She was on the planning and zoning committee for the city of Howard Lake. As a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, she was an usher for 25 years as well as spending time in the adoration chapel.

Visitation will start at 9:30 am on September 27th 2024, with a mass of Christian burial at 11:00 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 607 Maple Ave, Waverly MN. A meal will be offered after the mass. A private internment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery will be at a later date.

In lieu of cards and flowers, please make a donation to one of the military service organizations.

Marvel Dolores Engel (Kobow) age 98 of Howard Lake, died peacefully Monday, Sept 16, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Howard Lake, MN.

A resident of Howard Lake for 76 years, Marvel was born Aug 12, 1926 in Maple Grove Township to Henry and Minnie Kobow. Marvel was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Corcoran and graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1944.

Marvel married Elwood (Woody) Engel on June 12, 1948 and celebrated 70 years of marriage. They welcomed four children: Mary, Jim, Diane and Sandy.

Over the course of her life, Marvel farmed with her parents, and after being married, she was a homemaker and did bookkeeping for Engel’s Truck Service until husband Woody’s retirement in 1994.

Marvel was active with St. James Lutheran Church (LWML/Sunday School Teaching) and served at the school and church. She enjoyed winters and summers at the family cabin on Bay Lake near Garrison. After retirement Woody and Marvel spent winters in Mesa, AZ where they enjoyed walking, visiting and playing cards with family and friends.

Marvel was preceded in death by her husband Woody; parents Henry and Minnie Kobow; daughters Mary Forsythe and Diane Greeley; grandson Daniel Greeley; son-in-law Donald (Butch) Forsythe; brother Melvin (Caroline) Kobow; sister Myrtle (Larry) Staack; nephews/niece Mark Erickson, Marcia Staack and John Kobow.

Survived by son Jim of Newport Beach, CA; daughter Sandy (Ken); sister-in-law Jean Wikstrom of Las Vegas, NV; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services are held at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake on September 20, Friday at 2:00 pm and will be followed by internment in Howard Lake Cemetery. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service.

Memorials can be sent to St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN.