Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Dorothy Kathleen Eleanor Raisanen, age 93, of Cokato, Minnesota, went home to Jesus on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the Cokato Manor.
She was born in Litchfield, MN, to Hilda and Charles Tormanen. She was the second to the youngest and had four brothers and ten sisters. She was baptized and confirmed in the First Apostolic Lutheran Church. As a child, she and her brothers and sisters kept busy with many activities such as cricket, softball, May-day basket hanging, sliding and ice skating in the winter and also sitting around the pot belly stove playing games. Her hobbies included reading, baking, and pulling taffy with friends and family.
She started school in the Swan Lake Country School with grades 1-8 in the 1930s. Because of her enthusiasm for learning and many friends, the three-mile walk to school didn’t seem so bad; however, when she arrived at school, water and wood needed to be carried in by students. She continued with her education and graduated from Cokato High School in 1947.
Following high school, Dorothy began secretarial work in Minneapolis and continued there for four years. On May 26, 1951, Dorothy married Niilo Raisanen at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church. They started their life together in West Albion at the “round barn farm”, then lived in Lester Prairie and eventually moved to Cokato in 1967. They had eight children and enjoyed taking vacations, going on hikes, camping, and biking with their children. Dorothy was always so grateful that she and Niilo were blessed with a large family because they brought them so much joy. Dorothy and Niilo were married for almost 59 years before Niilo passed away on February 10, 2010.
Dorothy continued to be an active mom and grandma even after Niilo died. She enjoyed seven years at Edgewood and called all of her neighbors her friends.
Dorothy was a prolific baker and cook and prepared many meals over the years. She had the gift of hospitality and made everyone feel welcome and loved in their home. She started her gracious hospitality by cooking two hot meals a day for the hired men who worked on the farm when they were first married. She also served visiting ministers and their wives, and many other friends and family. Dorothy loved visiting her children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and so many friends.
Dorothy’s faith in Jesus, commitment to the Grace Apostles Lutheran Church, her big beautiful family, and her many friends blessed her in innumerable ways.
Dorothy is survived by her seven children, David (Karen), Keith (Heidi), Nancy Mattila, Mary (Jay) Piepenburg, Michael (Tracey), Mark (Michelle), and Katie (Luke) Bonawitz; 47 grandchildren; 127 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Robert Torola, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her baby son Charlie, her husband Niilo, her son-in-law, Gary Mattila, her great-granddaughter, Adeline Dorothy, and all of her siblings and their spouses.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 with visitation 1 hour prior. Visitation from 5-7 PM on Monday, June 26, 2023 with a 6:30 prayer service, all at Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church (5939 Oliver Ave SW, Cokato, MN 55321). Arrangements by, Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534

Lyle Robert Severson, 81, passed away on June 14, 2023, from cancer.
Lyle was born to Arthur and Regina (Rehmann) Severson at their home in Winsted, MN on December 2, 1941. On Dec 28, 1941, he was baptized and became a child of Christ at Stockholm Lutheran Church, where he was confirmed and a life-long member.
He graduated from Cokato High School in 1960. Lyle was a darn good wrestler, football player and track athlete and fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Janice Wessman. On August 20, 1961 Lyle married Janice and to this union, two daughters were born.
Lyle went to the Minneapolis School of Business then joined the US Army in June 1961, where he served his Country while being stationed in Germany with his young family. After returning from military service, Lyle accepted a job at Mattson Building as a bookkeeper. He then joined his Father-in-law, Eldon Wessman, in business incorporating as Wessman Oil. He grew the company, in partnership with Janice, after Eldon retired in 1977. Lyle and Janice sold the business and retired from Wessman Oil in 2004.
Lyle believed strongly that when you live in a community, you give to the community. He was proud to serve 40 years on the Cokato Fire Department, 5 of those as Chief. He was a Boy Scout leader, President of the Cokato Chamber and involved in the Jaycees. Lyle was active in the Dassel-Cokato Rotary, Litchfield Male Chorus and served on the Board of Cokato Apartments and the Cokato Charitable Trust for many years. Lyle was a committed member of Stockholm Lutheran Church where he was a Sunday School teacher, choir member, served on the Church Council for 16 years and most recently was the treasurer of Brotherhood. Lyle was the Adjutant of Cokato Legion Post #209 and a member of the Honor Guard. Rarely did he say no to an opportunity to serve others.
Lyle LOVED cars. He restored several cars including a 1908 REO Gentleman’s Roadster that he drove from New London to New Brighton. He also loved fishing, auctions, travel and adventures of all kinds including making maple syrup, lighthouse keeper in Michigan and biking across Europe. He was the neighborhood animal control officer.
Survivors include Janice, his wife of 61 years; his children Nanette (Jim) Stelten and Kersten (Scott) Elverum; his grandchildren Lauren (Kyle) Svoboda, Logan Stelten, London (Luke) DeBenedetto, Lee Stelten (fiancé Thomas Gee-Hoover) and Marit Elverum; great grandchildren William and Henry Svoboda; brothers Arden (Betty) Severson and Rollie (Nancy) Severson; sister Mavis Olson; sister-in-law Ann Severson and brother-in-laws Robert Wessman and Troy (Nancy) Wessman; and many nieces and nephews.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Father-in-law Eldon Wessman; Mother-in-law Pearl Wessman; sisters Marjorie Kraft and Suzanne Severson, brothers Leland (Billie) Severson, Orville (Hannah) Severson and Merland Severson.
A funeral service will be held at Stockholm Lutheran Church (16133 County Rd 30 SW, Cokato, MN 55321) on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534

Marijo “Jo Jo” Belt, 66, of Little Canada, MN passed away peacefully on January 5th, 2023 at home surrounded by her family.
Marijo was born on March 30th, 1956 to Roger and Alberta (Blodgett) Engel in Cokato, MN.
She was baptized into the Christian faith on June 10th, 1956 and confirmed into her faith on May 3rd, 1970 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Marijo graduated from Dassel Cokato High School in 1974 where she was a track captain and lettered in softball. Growing up on the family farm, Marijo learned a strong work ethic and went on to work at Green Giant, Country Kitchen, Spotts International, and NCR Compten until she landed on her calling as a daycare provider in 1985. Her gift of love and nurturing shown through with each child she was entrusted to take care of. She truly loved each and every child that crossed her path.
On April 9th, 2011 she married her longtime life partner Robert Belt. She spent countless hours with her husband riding their motorcycle all over the United States on their next adventure. Her pride and joy in life were her daughter and granddaughters. She loved them more than life itself and spent her entire life showing them. She also enjoyed gardening, bird watching, bonfires, listening to music, playing cribbage, and a good garage sale. She was a shining light that had the biggest heart. She was always there to help anyone in need and she will be greatly missed.
Survived by husband Robert Belt, daughter and son-in-law Angie and Aaron Kalata, granddaughters Savannah and Charlotte Kalata, sisters Linda Engel and Sharon (Neil) Howell, brother David Engel, niece Lindsay (Merrill) Harris, nephew Matthew Bessard, nephew Aaron Briesemeister, niece Amber Lind, nephew Derek Remer, great niece Luna Harris, and other great nieces and nephews.
Proceeded in death by parents Roger and Alberta Engel, sister Sheila Briesemeister, infant brother Mark Engel, and grandparents.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 10th at the Peder Pedersen Pavilion at Lion’s Park in Hugo (5524 Upper 146th St.). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to Eagle Brook church: https://www.eaglebrookchurch.com/giving/give-online/

Faye Janice Foss (Abendroth) 85, of Cold Spring, MN passed away peacefully on May 23rd, 2023. The family was blessed with the opportunity to spend Faye’s last days in her company sharing short conversations, time of quiet companionship and in the end, sweet smiles.
She was born to Arthur and Frances Abendroth on December 20th, 1937. She was married to her loving husband, William (Bill) Foss for 65 years. She was a farmer for many years in Maple Lake, MN.
Faye was a role model of how to live a full and good life. She loved people and demonstrated this love consistently throughout her life, forging friendships that lasted a lifetime. Her tenacious spirit and loving character will be missed greatly.
Faye is proceeded in death by her mother and father, and sisters Sue, Carol, and Barbara. She is survived by her husband William (Bill) Foss, her three children Steve (Rose) Foss, Pamela (Kim) Foss and Sheryl Malark, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister Bette Abendroth and brothers Tom (Louann) and Jerry (Rosalie) Abendroth.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at 12:00 PM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cold Spring, MN. A visitation will take place 1 hour prior, and a luncheon to follow the service. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Byron Harold Sangren was born on August 8, 1938 to Harold and Gladys (Friden) Sangren in the Cokato Hospital. He was baptised, confirmed and a lifelong member of Stockholm Lutheran Church. He graduated from Cokato High School in 1956. Byron married Janet Wink on April 1, 1961 in Cobden, Minnesota. They were blessed with 4 children. Byron farmed in Stockholm Township his entire life. He was very active at Stockholm Lutheran Church by serving on many board positions, a Sunday School teacher, a supervisor for Stockholm Township, and a state fire warden for over 30 years. He also worked for Faribault Foods picking sweet corn for several years.
Byron’s favorite hobby was fishing, whether he was sitting in a boat, or on the ice, he was always smiling when he could relax and holding a fishing pole. In his earlier years, he was a pretty good bowler at the Dassel Bowling Center. He had a love for good country music. You could find him at dance halls tapping his toes, and gracing the dance floor with this happy feet. He enjoyed attending Winstock Music Festival for many years.
Byron entered Cedar Creek Assisted Living in Silver Lake, MN on January 2, 2023 and passed away on May 26, 2023.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janet Sangren, his children, Sheri (Jim) Miedtke, Andrea Kain (Larry Graplar), John (Sharon) Sangren, and Sue (Tim) Bay; his grandchildren, Brenda Chapman, Paul Sangren, Andrew Geistfeld, Tina Geistfeld (Matt Harrison), Jen (Dan) Wedel, Sarah (Andy) Odegaard; his great grandchildren, Riley, Jordyn, Taylor, Trevor, Olivia, Owen, Audrey, Henry, Jacob, Tanner, Ethan, and Danica. Survivors also include siblings Julieanna (Richard) Orn, Charles (Voni) Sangren, Kenneth Sangren, and sisters-in-law, Joyce (Gary) Sathoff, and Marsha Wink.
Byron was proceeded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law William and Eva Wink, grandson Matthew Miedtke, brother-in-law, Allen Wink, niece Brenda Knockel, and family friend Jamie Michalsky.
A funeral service for Byron Sangren, 84, of Cokato, Minnesota, will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota. Inurnment will be at the Stockholm Township Cemetery following the church service. Visitation will be from 4 -7 pm on Friday, June 9, 2023 at Stockholm Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com