Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Karen Louise Blanchette, age 80, of Howard Lake, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 at her home, surrounded by family. Karen was born in Crookston, MN on September 4th, 1942, the daughter of Harold Schultz and Louise McKeon. She was baptized on March 27th, 1949 in Crookston, MN. She was confirmed on October 20th, 1957 in Moorhead, MN. Karen was united in marriage to Harold Blanchette, Sr. on December 23rd, 1961. They were blessed with two sons, Harold Blanchette, Jr and Darrin Blanchette, Sr. She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her two sons, Harold (LuAnn) Blanchette, Jr. and Darrin Blanchette, Sr., grandchildren, Daisy (Joseph Hessing) Blanchette, Darrin (Ariel) Blanchette, Jr., and Lilyann Blanchette, and great granddaughter, Eloise Blanchette. She is further survived by step-mother, Marie Longfors, her brothers and sisters, Judy Hassenstab, Robert (Rachelle) Schultz, Wayne (Sandy Nelson) Schultz, Harold (Michelle) Schultz, and Marilyn Schultz, sisters- in – law Judy (Vern) Rasmussen and RuthAnn Blanchette, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, her parents, Harold Schultz and Louise McKeon, sister, Darlene Schultz, step-father Frank Mckeon, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Leo and Florence Blanchette.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Visitation will be on Tuesday, 10/25 from 5-7 PM at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake and continue 1 hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN. www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401

Loren Joel Hoikka passed away peacefully at the age of 89 years old on Saturday October 8 th , 2022, with his wife Carol by his side at Dassel Lakeside Center. He was born March 3rd, 1933, to Joseph “Joe” and Elsie (Nelson) Hoikka at their farm in West Albion Township near Annandale Minnesota.

Loren attended school at the French Lake country school until the 3rd grade then moved to Minneapolis with his mom and brother Leland. He graduated from Minneapolis North High School in 1950. After graduating high school, he worked one year for Soo Line and then served in the Army for two years. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1959. He worked at 3M in Hutchinson for 25 years and retired in 1991.

Loren married the love of his life, Carol Jamison on August 29 th, 1964. Together they lived and raised their 9 children in Cokato. He and Carol attended the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church and faith was most important to him.

Loren and Carol enjoyed a long and healthy retirement in both Arizona and Minnesota spending time with children, grandchildren, and many friends. Loren loved playing golf with his friends and made many special memories with everybody who shared in his passion. He spent the last 2 years of his life at the Dassel Lakeside Center where he received wonderful care.

Loren is survived by his wife Carol and 9 children, Joel (Karyn) of Cokato; Amy (Mark) Aho of Cokato; Heidi (Kari) Valli of Cave Creek, Arizona; Jane (Jeff) McClintock of Hastings; Mark (Angie) of San Antonio, Texas; Gary (Jen) of Cokato; Carl (Tina) of St. Louis Park; Dale (Karla) of Cokato; Sara (Davin) Tarnanen of Cave Creek, Arizona; 80 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends young and old.

Loren is preceded in death by his father Joe, mother Elsie, stepfather Elmer Alajoki, twin sisters Doris and Dorothy, brother Leland, infant son Paul, son-in-law Toby Jablonsky and grandson Finley Tarnanen.

There will be a visitation on Sunday, October 16th from 5-7pm at the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church. Funeral Service will be Monday, October 17th at 2pm with 1 hour of visitation prior to the service. Interment will be at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Stephanie Marie Heisler was born December 5^th, 1994 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN. She was baptized January 22^nd, 1995 at All Saints Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, MN. Stephanie passed away Friday, October 7^th, 2022, at the age of 27.

Stephanie grew up in Howard Lake until the age of 16. She then moved to Minnetonka to finish her high school career. Afterwards, Stephanie moved to Minneapolis where she enjoyed writing, reading, fishing, loving animals, watching movies, listening to music, dancing and singing.

A funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18^th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, at 11:00 AM located at 625 12th Ave, Howard Lake, MN. A visitation will be held one hour before the service.

Stephanie is survived by her son, Kegan Jack Ostvig; her parents, Kevin and Karen Erickson, Robert Heisler; her brother, Anthony Heisler; her sister, Kaylee Erickson; her grandmother, Shirley Schmitz; her life partner, Terron Green; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was well loved and will be deeply missed.

Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN. 320-543-3401 www.swansonpeterson.com

Mazie Coleen Roberts, age 93, passed away October 8, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at home in Howard Lake after a short illness. A wonderful wife, mom, grandma, and friend, Mazie brought warmth, compassion and hospitality to all and will be missed. Preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Roberts; her parents, Burt and Doris Morton and siblings, Buck, Wayne, Bill and Bonnie. Survived by her daughters, Colleen (Ray) Draxler, Jean (David) Chavez and Judy (Dan) Hammer; her grandsons, Derrick (Leann) Hammer, Mark Hammer, Peter Draxler and Joe Draxler and her great-granddaughters, Nola and Mae Hammer.

Born in Velva, North Dakota on August 11, 1929, she moved with her family to Bemidji, Minnesota and graduated from Bemidji High School before moving to Minneapolis to become an x-ray technician. She married Stan Roberts in 1950 and they raised their three girls in St. Louis Park, Echo and Howard Lake. Mazie created homes filled with love, books, flowers and sweet treats. A talented seamstress for her girls, Mazie also served her church and community and cared for her family and neighbors.

Mazie worked with special education students in Howard Lake, supported her daughters through college and beyond and was her husband’s caregiver through his heart transplant. She loved spending summer days at the family cabin up north and winters in Fort Myers. But mostly she cherished the home she and Stan created on Howard Lake with huge flower and vegetable gardens, apple trees, bird watching, great fishing off the dock, playing with the grandkids, cruising the shoreline on the pontoon, awesome sunsets and wonderful friends.

Services will be held at Zion United Methodist Church, South Haven, MN on October 17, 2022, 11:00 am, with a visitation at 10:00 am. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Larry Maurice Meehan passed away on Wednesday, September 21,2022 at Orchard Path Senior Living Community in Apple Valley, MN at the age of 80.  Larry was born June 17,1942 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Max and Bessie (Green) Meehan. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith. Larry received his education at Buffalo Lake Public School and graduated with the Class of 1960. He attended St. Cloud State University. Within his first year of college, his father Max became ill and Larry returned to Buffalo Lake to help run the family business, Meehan Bros. Oliver Implement. Larry later completed his Associates of Arts degree at Minneapolis Community College.

Larry was united in marriage to Rita Harkman on December 27,1963 in Cokato, MN. They resided in Buffalo Lake where they raised their family and remained active in the community. In 1968, Larry began work in the telecommunications industry at Minnesota Central Telephone Co. working throughout MN and South Dakota as an Installer/Repairman which later became known as Contel in Hector, MN. Larry held several positions as Plant and Facility Engineer as well as Plant Superintendent of Operations until relocating to the Contel office in Mound, MN in 1984. Contel later became GTE and Larry continued to work as an engineer until 1995. Larry retired in 2006 after enjoying several part-time jobs that were scheduled around life at the cabin, golf, travel and meaningful time with family and friends, including his most recent, delivering the morning paper to residents at Orchard Path with his beloved companion Hubert the black lab.

Larry served as a member of the Buffalo Lake Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and Lions Club and was on the board of trustees at Buffalo Lake United Methodist Church and Bethel United Methodist Church in Mound. He was also a member of the Royal Arch Masons of Minnesota. A life-long dog lover, Larry served as a volunteer at Can Do Canines in New Hope, MN as a dog driver, foster and ambassador.

He is loved and deeply missed by his daughter Tamie (Mark) Morken; son Mark Meehan, daughter-in-law Missy Meehan; grandchildren, Kylie and Adam Morken, Max and Jack Meehan; brother Jon (Lisa) Meehan, many cousins and dear friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Rita and brother-in-law Mark Harkman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) or the charity of your choice.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at Stockholm Lutheran Cemetery, Stockholm Township, south of Cokato, MN.

Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com