Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Bobbi Weibel, age 52 of Cokato, Minnesota, suddenly and tragically passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023. She was born February 9, 1970 in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, to Alvin and Kathleen (Karger) Kratz. Bobbi was baptized at Zion Lutheran North Effington in Parkers Prairie, and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota. She graduated early from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1988. Professionally, Bobbi worked most of her life in the restaurant industry. She started as a waitress at the Norseman in Cokato at a young age, where she worked with her dad, Al. Bobbi eventually worked as both a line cook and a prep cook for the Norseman, and then Daniel’s. After leaving the restaurant, she worked for Home Health with Cokato Manor, but eventually decided to pursue something that brought her much more joy—providing babysitting and drop-in day care for kiddos. Bobbi always loved being around children, and from a young age knew that she wanted to be a mom. Her first marriage to Chris Leinonen brought two beautiful daughters, Kailee and Brittany, who truly are her pride and joy. After their divorce, Bobbi spent much of her mid-twenties focused on raising her children. She met Ron Weibel, and they started dating and fell in love. He proposed at the Rose Garden at Lake Harriet, and on July 31, 1999, the two were married.

Much of Bobbi’s memory will be tied to her love and dedication to her family and friends. Bobbi loved fully and fiercely, especially her daughters, Kailee and Brittany; she was always their number one fan, cheerleader, supporter, and protector. Being a mom was an integral part of her identity. But as much as she loves her daughters, a worthy competitor came for her affection in July 2021 when her first grandchild Liam was born. Being his “Baba Bob” brought the biggest smiles and happiness to Bobbi. There were many parts of Bobbi’s life that were challenging in the years before her passing, but Liam was the brightest light in her day. In addition to Liam, Bobbi cared for several other children throughout the years. She adored being a “bonus” grandmother-figure to Kaia, Kalvin, Betty, Blake, Lena, Mari, and William, which is clear to see from her walls of photos, camera reel, and the way she lit up when talking about them. Bobbi was also an amazing friend, always willing to offer a helping hand and a listening ear.

It would be a disservice not to mention Bobbi’s other love language, food. She was a tremendously talented cook and baker, and loved making meals and goodies for others. Bobbi was an incredibly caring and nurturing person, and loved to show this through her food. She loved gardening, quilting and sewing, playing cards and board games, fishing, hearing the loons, camping, feeding and watching the birds in her yard, watching Wheel of Fortune, and being surrounded by her loved ones. Her passing leaves an unimaginable hole in the lives of those who love her.

Bobbi is preceded in death by: her grandparents Clarence and Martha (Orness) Kratz, and Margaret (Schober) Kratz, and Willie C. and Martha (Mielke) Karger, and Elna (Syverson) Karger; father-in-law and mother-in-law Duane and Jane (Barfnecht) Weibel; brother-in-law Randy Weibel; her aunts and uncles Clarice and Elden Diedrich, Charles Karger, Russel McLaughlin, Lavonne (Ost) Karger, W. Scott MacDonald, Kathy (Kratz) and Larry Hahn; and cousins Lory Allen Diedrich and Joel Jensen.

Bobbi is survived by: her husband Ron; daughters Kailee Leinonen-Wright (Will Wright) and Brittany Leinonen-Lintelman (Noah Lintelman); grandchildren Liam Leinonen-Wright and a second Leinonen-Wright baby due in June; her mother Kathy Kratz; father and stepmother Al and Julie Kratz; her sister Kristi Landato; brother and sister-in-law Wil and Jess Kratz; sister-in-law and bother-in-law Renee and Mike Salonek; sister-in-law Robin Weibel; and many other family members and friends.

A gathering for family and friends to celebrate Bobbi’s legacy will take place in two parts; on April 21, 2023, a wake will be held at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato from 4 to 7 pm, and a funeral will be held the following day, April 22, 2023, at St. John’s Church in Winsted, Minnesota, at 11 am.

Robert (Bob) Allan Moore
Bob was born on April 6th, 1953 in Sioux Falls, SD. He graduated from Lincoln Sr. High School in 1971. Bob joined the Air Force the summer of ’71 and served in the Vietnam War, stationed in Thailand. After his service he continued his education, earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Huron University. Bob started driving truck and eventually started his own trucking company.
Bob loved being outdoors, hunting and fishing, and flying his plane. Bob earned his private pilot’s license and owned two planes. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles and belonged to a motorcycle club while stationed in Germany.
Bob passed peacefully on April 11th, 2023 while in hospice at the Good Samaritan in Howard Lake, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd W. Moore, Sr. and Louise Belle Moore (Young). He is survived by siblings; Melissa Slominski, Lloyd Moore, Jr., Earl Moore, Linda White (Terry), and Dawn Friese (Rod) along with nieces and nephews.

Fern, Amanda Rae was born on January 01, 1985, and was called home on March 21st, 2023. Her children were everything, and she always lived life to the fullest. She was born and raised in the Howard Lake- Waverly area and stayed there to raise her children. She loved being around family and friends, and being at the lake was her favorite place. She loved to help others, so much so that she donated her eggs to help create families and was also an organ donor. Even in our time of sadness, we know she still lives on as she helped save four lives through organ donation. Her smile and laugh were infectious to those around her. She touched the lives of many and was loved very deeply by friends and family. Amanda is survived by her children Ariana Fern- 16 (Art Lafountaine), Jackson -12 (Kevin) Chilton, parents Ray (Carrie) Fern and Sandy Fern, sisters Tami (Ben) Hanson, Stephanie Fern, Amanda (Kyle) Kulla, and Emma Kallio and brothers Brent (Jenny) Moist and Skyler (Bri) Dacus, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and friends. Amanda was predeceased by grandparents Ralph and Mary Jane Fern, Al and Eldora Harris, and uncles Daryl Harris and Dan Sullivan. The family would like to thank all that have reached out with donations to her GoFundMe account. These donations will be used to help with continued expenses for her children. Amanda’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 607 Maple Ave Waverly, MN 55390, with visitation starting at 8 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome for her children.

Phyllis Mlinar Smith passed away March 29, 2023 of natural causes at The Lodge of Howard Lake in Minnesota at the age of 93. She was born Phyllis Janet Mlinar on Friday, August 2, 1929, in Spring Valley, MN to Joseph and Emily (Yukel) Mlinar. She grew up in Spring Valley and graduated valedictorian from Spring Valley High School, class of 1947. She went on to attend the University of Minnesota, College of Medical Sciences and earned a Graduate in Nursing Degree with distinction in 1952. Her time there included an additional year to obtain a teaching certificate which she would utilize later in her life. She was also a member of Alpha Tau Delta, a fraternity for students and professionals in the nursing fields.
After her graduation, she left MN to work at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. While working there she met Richard F. Smith of Howard Lake, MN who was a patient. On a road trip where Richard drove Phyllis and her roommates to MN for the holidays, there was plenty of time to get better acquainted. Needless to say, a while later she relocated from Boston to New York City to work at New York Hospital and be near where Richard was working. They were married in Spring Valley in July 1955. After the wedding, they moved to Mobile, Alabama and Phyllis taught nursing at the Providence Hospital School. In 1957 their first daughter Carol was born in Baltimore. They moved again in 1958 to Ridgewood, NJ where son Richard J. and daughter Janet were born. They called Ridgewood home for close to 60 years.
After the children were grown, Phyllis worked at the local County Health Department in the Cancer Detection Program. Retiring in 1992, she shared her time between homemaking and volunteering at the church and the American Red Cross. In 2007 when Richard retired, they moved to Howard Lake, MN to the Smith Family Homestead. While there she continued her volunteering activities and enjoyed helping Richard make maple syrup. Richard passed away in 2019 and Phyllis relocated for the final time to The Lodge,
Through the years, Phyllis was involved in professional organizations including the American Association of University Woman and Nurses Guild and she held officer positions in both organizations. She enjoyed helping children through her leadership in the Girl Scouts, mentoring confirmation communicants, teaching Sunday school, volunteering at the school library, and helping with the church children’s choir. Phyllis was active in the Presbyterian Church in both Ridgewood, NJ and Howard Lake. In addition to participating in the prayer chain, Bible study, and Sunday greeting activities, she held officer positions at both churches. She enjoyed sewing clothes, needlework, quilting, and crafting. There was never a day without fresh baked goods in the Smith household. Phyllis enjoyed entertaining and always found time to bring people together be it friends, family, or past acquaintances. Early in their married life, Richard and Phyllis learned to ski. This became a lifelong activity the entire family enjoyed which ultimately led to them building a vacation home in Colorado where they welcomed family and friends from around the world. Travel was always a part of Phyllis’s life. Be it related to Richard’s shipping business or just for pleasure, she had the privilege to travel all around the world. Phyllis liked to share her travel experiences in summary journals and photos.
Phyllis was passionate about life and above all else loved her family. She was devoted and supportive not only to her husband and children but to all her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Emily Mlinar, brothers and sisters in law Dale and Hjordy, Keith and Jean, and Joseph P. and Joyce, and nephews Mark Mlinar and Allyn Smith.
Phyllis is survived by children: Carol Lehr (Joe Houghton) of Huntingdon Valley, PA, Richard J. Smith of Minneapolis, MN, and Janet E. Smith of Fairbanks, AK; 36 nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and countless dear friends.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 with visitation 1 hour prior to services at the First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, Minnesota. 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Harlan Elmer Schmieg passed away March 23, 2023. Surrounded by his family he went into the arms of Jesus after a 2 ½ year battle with cancer.
Harlan was born on Oct. 25, 1944 in Mpls., MN to Elmer and Orella (nee Luhman) Schmieg of Howard Lake, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake. He attended St. James School through 8th grade and graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1962.
Harlan enjoyed family gatherings. He was a blessing to his family, always willing to help and pray for others. He prayed also for the country that he loved.
In 1965, he went to work at Lester’s Inc. in the Polyfoam Bldg. In 1968, he began work at MTS in Eden Prairie, MN. He returned to the family farm in 1979, when his dad retired. Harlan was always striving for excellence at whatever he did. He was awarded trophies from National Farmers in 1982 & 1984 for superior quality in milk production.
In 1990, after selling the milk cows, Harlan went to work for Dura Supreme Cabinetry where he stayed until retirement.
In retirement he drove for Wright County Human Services, delivered Meals on Wheels, and volunteered at Save & Share Thrift Store in Cokato.
Since 2001, he has been active in Square and round dancing as a member of the Westonka Whirlers Square Dance Club.
Harlan was well known as a friendly person with a pleasant smile. He enjoyed old country western and Gospel music, planting flowers, and keeping detailed accounting records. He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church and served on the Cemetery Board and as a long time usher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Judy Schmieg, nephew Ricky Schmieg, niece Connie Baumann and great niece McKenzie Compton.
He is survived by brother Gary (Ruth) of Cokato, brother Dale (Evelyn) of Howard Lake, sister Carolyn (Dane) Compton of Garfield, MN, brother Merlyn (Karen) of Howard Lake, brother Mark (Barb) of Howard Lake, and sister Bev (David) Allen of Howard Lake, 8 nieces, 8 nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are Wednesday, March 29th, at 2:00, at St. James Lutheran in Howard Lake with a visitation beginning at 1:00. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake. www.swansonpeterson.com 320-543-3401
Pall bearers are nephews Michael Schmieg, Paul Compton, Jason Schmieg, Dan Schmieg, Tim Schmieg, and Cord Allen.