Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Frederick Elmer Halonen, passed away on March 22, 2023 at the age of 93, at his home in Cokato, MN. He was born December 7, 1929, in Linton, ND, the 5th of 14 children, to Charles and Tyyne (Oikelmus) Halonen. Fred was a lifelong member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church.

Fred graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1947. On March 10, 1951, he was united in marriage to Thelma Marian Haataja. They were blessed with 13 children. They resided in Wolf Lake and Cokato, MN.

Upon returning home from their honeymoon, Fred received a draft notice to serve in The US Armed Forces in the Korean War. During his service, he was injured, received a Purple Heart, and was then discharged to go home.

He was a farmer, and, at the age of 40, attended St. Cloud State University, where he graduated in 1970, with a degree in speech pathology. Fred continued farming, was employed by the Lester Prairie and Silver Lake Schools as a speech pathologist, and served as a part-time lay minister for his church until his retirement.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife of almost 72 years, Thelma Halonen- Feb, 2023, 3 sons; infant Anthony-1959, Brent-1988, and Blair-2019, son-in-law; Ronald Corbin; 3 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, his parents, his step-mother; Anna Jurmu, siblings; Carl (Eunice), Judith (Mervin) Mattila, Gladys (Paul) Kariniemi, Mildred (Paul) Raisanen, Paul, Edward, George Douglas, and Sharen Anderson, brother-in-laws; Walter Muhonen, Ernest Lehtola, and Paul Ylitalo, stepbrothers; Clifford (Carol) Jurmu and Robert Jurmu, his parents-in-law, Gustav and Anna Haataja and 21 brothers and sisters-in-law.

He is survived by his children; Peter (Debra)-Cokato, John (Becky)-Hanover, Tyyni (Duane) Salmen-Osage, Thea Corbin-Cokato, Gregg (Suzanne)-Cokato, Tamara (Jeffrey) Pietila-Chassell, MI, Teresa (Kenneth) Johnson-Sedar Bay, MI, Anna (David) Aho-Cokato, Avis (Eric) Sheffer- Fenton, MI, Scott (Kathleen)- Cokato, daughters-in-law; Kristin Halonen- Cokato, Julie (Arvi) Impola-Calumet, MI, 101 grandchildren, 246 great-grandchildren, his siblings; Sylvia Muhonen, Virginia Lehtola, Raymond (Betty) Halonen, Lillian Ylitalo, Donald (Florence) Halonen, sister and brother-in-laws; Lorraine Hilluka, Connie Halonen, Martha Halonen, Jerry Anderson, and Miriam Jurmu, and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral service at 11 AM on Mon, April 3rd at the 1st Apostolic Lutheran Church, Dassel, with visitation 1 hour prior. Visitation Sun. April 2nd from 5-8 PM at Church. Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home, www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Mary Ann Wuollet, age 86 of Cokato, passed away on March 22, 2023. A visitation will be held from 5-8 Pm on Sunday, March 26 and continue 1 hour prior to funeral services held on Monday, March 27 at 11 AM, all at the 1st Apostolic Lutheran Church, Dassel, MN. Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, MN is serving the family, www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Mary Ann Barber was born on October 9th, 1936 to Everett and Mary (Richards) Barber in Newell, SD. She was raised on a farm there and graduated from the Newell School System in 1954. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis, MN where she worked as a receptionist. She met Duane (Dick) Richard Wuollet in Cokato, MN, and they were married on September 8th of 1956. To this union, four children were born: Debra, Cheryl, Denise, and Mark. The family lived in the Minneapolis area until 1970 when they moved to a farm northwest of Cokato, where she and Dick lived until shortly before her death. After her children were grown, Mary Ann attended school for massage therapy. She thoroughly enjoyed working as a massage therapist from her home, and appreciated getting to know and serve members of the local community. Her adventurous and creative nature was expressed in many ways, including extensive travels, sewing, quilting, and painting. Mary Ann was a caretaker at heart. Her family and friends were her greatest earthly treasure, and she loved them unconditionally. She was a lifelong member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church, her Christian faith a source of comfort and strength throughout her life.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, beloved daughter Denise, great granddaughter Vanessa, sisters Betty Jean (Barber) Larson and Carol Rose Barber, brother Bob, and 12 brothers- and sisters-in-law.
She is survived by her husband Dick; daughters Debra (Pete) Halonen and Cheryl (Mike) Niemela, and son Mark; 19 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 1 great great granddaughter, brothers Everett (Cathy) Barber, Gary (Nancy) Barber, 3 sister-in-laws, and a host of relatives and friends.

Judy Kay Quale, 65, of Hutchinson, MN, died Saturday, March 4, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born June 24, 1957, in St. Paul, MN, to Stanley and Mavis (Gruis) Quale. Judy graduated from Eden Valley-Watkins High School in 1976, and from St. Cloud Technical College with an AAS degree in medical technology. Throughout her life, Judy worked at Animal Fair in Eden Valley, MN, LPC/Innovex, Minnesota Rubber, and delivered pizzas for Pizza Hut in Litchfield, MN. In her retirement, she worked at Simply Quimby in Dassel, MN, which she loved. Judy was well known by many, and many called her “Grandma Judy.” Judy would talk to anyone, and she became friends with people easily. She loved her family, and spent time at events that her grandchildren participated in. She loved Mickey Mouse, girls’ weekend at the casino, and family weekend at Bonnie and Bill’s cabin. Judy loved to gamble, whether it was at the casino, scratch-off lottery tickets, pull tabs, or bingo. She enjoyed crafting and visiting at Simply Quimby. She loved her dog Lola, who would be in the car with her wherever she went, her cat Minnie Pearl, and Duke “the Dick.” In the last six years, Judy had some major health struggles that she had overcome until August 2022. At that time, she moved to her daughter’s home for extra care.
Judy is survived by her daughter, Tracy (Todd) Anderson of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Estaban Trevino Jr. (Yulya) of Colorado Springs, CO, Zionna Schrader of Hutchinson, and Elise (Isaac) Thomas of Flagstaff, AZ; great-granddaughters, Alayna and Amariah; and her bonus daughter, Carrie (Gabriel) Briseno and children, Katie, Anthony, and Mason of Cokato, MN. Judy is further survived by her sisters, Sandy (Joseph) Moehrle of Eden Valley and Pam (David) Kelly of Cokato; sisters-in-law, Darlene Wendroth of Litchfield and Linda Gade of Cold Spring, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Xaine Schrader; brother, Gary Quale; sisters, Bonnie Feist and Marguerite Quale; infant sister, Theresa; step-father, Walter Wendroth; and step-brother, Robert Wendroth.
A celebration of life will take place Friday, March 17, 2023, at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., with the service beginning at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served afterwards. The family would like to thank Meeker Memorial Hospital doctors and staff for all the great care provided to Judy throughout the years. They would also like to thank Allina Health Hospice for the amazing end-of-life care given to Judy and her family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Swanson Peterson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Lahr, Delores Lucy (Aritt), Age 97, of Howard Lake, MN passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Buffalo Hospital. She was born on a farm south of Howard Lake, attended a country school through 6th grade and went on to graduate from Howard Lake High School.
She worked at Gambles Store in Howard Lake, the Howard Lake Drug Store, then at Security State Bank in Howard Lake for 25 years. During retirement years she worked part-time at the Gauge Lettershop in Howard Lake into her 70’s. Delores was a member of Walker United Methodist Church, Howard Lake until the church dissolved and then became a Member of The First Presbyterian Church, Howard Lake, Member of The Order of the Eastern Star. She was an avid bowler her whole life, bowling on the Women’s League and the Couples League, contributed in many ways at her church, serving as treasurer, church dinners, etc.
Preceded in death by husband, Philip Lahr; parents Ernest and Margaret Aritt; and brother Clinton Aritt. Survived by daughters, Pati Corbin & Shirley Lahr; Grandchildren, Shannon Corbin (Craig Thompson); Kelly Corbin; Christopher Corbin (Holietta Tambi); Great grandchildren Olivia Thompson and Easton Corbin, special friend Deb Jacobson; and other loving relatives and friends.
Services will be Tuesday, March 14 at 11am with visitation one hour prior to service at First Presbyterian Church, Howard Lake, MN. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, MN 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Ethel Marilyn Arnold age 93 of Howard Lake, MN died at the Gardens of Winsted on March 6th 2023.
She was born Sept 19th, 1929 to Fred and Ella Jauss in Dickinson, ND.
She was confirmed at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dickinson on July 26th 1942 and Graduated High School May 29th 1947 also in Dickinson ND
On October 18th 1950 she married Ralph Marvin Arnold. They had 3 children, Linda, Lynne and Bruce. They were married 57 years at the time of Ralphs passing in 2008.
Ethel worked for many years at Custer Super Value in Howard Lake and Cub in Buffalo.
She is survived by Daughter Lynne (Gary), Son Bruce and Grandson Mike.
She was proceeded in death by daughter and son in law Linda and Robert Vaughn and sister Evelyn Zander.
A memorial service will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 11, 2023 with visitation 1 hour prior at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com