Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Elaine Mildred Smith, age 91 of Howard Lake, passed away on October 28, 2024 at home. She was born August 4th, 1933 to William and Lydia Westphal Frank on the family farm southwest of Howard Lake. She was the youngest of 4 siblings. She attended Merriman County School, St. James School, and Howard Lake High School graduating in 1950. She then accepted a job as secretary at the Howard Lake School and worked there for 9 years, through consolidation of the country schools and building the new school in 1955, which was demolished in 2015.

Elaine married Everrett Smith June 28th, 1957, moving to the Smith Family Farm west of Howard Lake in 1958. Together they raised three children, farmed the land, and had an egg business for many years. Many people came to the farm to buy “farm fresh eggs”. She was active in the Presbyterian Church, serving as church treasurer, a trustee, and in the women’s group. She also served as an on-call babysitter for her grandchildren as needed. She was always working on projects from sewing quilts to business suits for her girls to mending jeans. Her kitchen usually smelled of fresh baked bread and desserts and her grandchildren could always count on cookies in the cookie jar. She remained on the farm until March of 2019, when she moved to Edgewood Gables apartments in Cokato.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Everrett, siblings: Orville Frank, Verna Mulvanny and Melvin Frank.

Survived by son Larry (Laurie) Smith, daughter Jeanne (David) Mages, and daughter Debbie (David) Honebrink. Seven grandchildren: Ryan Smith, Kyle (Alicia) Smith, Chelsea (David) Buttenhoff, Trevor (Catheryn) Mages, Cassie (Cal) Sleiter, Danny Mages and Jason Honebrink, seven great-grandchildren with two more on the way, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services are Friday, November 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake, with visitation one hour prior.

Duane (Rocky) Charles Henry Rokala was born on February 17, 1937 to Henry and Elma (Tormanen) Rokala in Kingston Township, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm along the Crow River in the Kingston area. During his growing up years he worked on the family farm and could often be found swimming. He proudly served in the United States Army from February 20,1956 through April 10,1958. During his time in the military, he married B. Elaine Hale on February 22, 1958. Together they had 3 children. He worked several jobs over the years, including: being manager of Anderson Box Company, owned R and R Roofing, ServiceMaster and BDL Furniture store. He also enjoyed truck driving. He lived in the Dassel area through the majority of his life.

Duane enjoyed the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing. He also loved to travel and spending time with others. His faith in the Lord was very important to him as well as attending church. Everyone knew where “his spot” was at church. Duane was always ready and willing to help out anyone in need and lend a helping hand. He treasured time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also very proud when he became a great-great grandpa just a few months ago. He will always be remembered by his big smile and infectious laugh, which was heard often.

Duane was survived by his three children: Randall Rokala of Cosmos, Minnesota, Marcella (husband Craig) Hagen of Mesa, Arizona, and Peggy (husband Michael) Kinzler of Glencoe, Minnesota. 10 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Duane was preceded in death by his father Henry Rokala, mother Elma Rokala, brother Russell Rokala, granddaughter Ashley Hagen and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, October 23 at 11 AM at Riverside Church in Hutchinson, MN. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 22, from 5-7 and continue 1 hour prior to services on Wednesday, all at Riverside Church (20924 St. Hwy. 7 West, Hutchinson, MN 55350)

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.