Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Gary Isaacson passed away peacefully at his home on October 31, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. There will be time to celebrate his life at the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home on Sunday, November 6, 2022 from 2:00-4:00 PM with a time of sharing at 3:30 PM.

Gary was born to Floyd and Rosilyn (Hanson) Isaacson on May 6, 1959. He graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School and attended Brown Institute in Minneapolis. He had radio announcing jobs in both Nebraska and Iowa and then moved to Texas in 1982 to work for his brother Craig’s carpentry business.

Gary moved back to Cokato in January of 2012. Shortly after he moved home, his dad was diagnosed with cancer and Gary was able to be his caretaker.

Gary was a sports fanatic! He loved his Vikings (never was able to see them win the Super Bowl). He followed all the Minnesota sports teams. He also enjoyed making a bet or two at Canterbury Downs and studied and analyzed the racing forms and put his best bet possible on the table.

Uncle and Great Uncle were Gary’s most treasured titles. Nothing made him prouder than the successes of his nieces, nephew, great nieces and nephews.

Gary will be missed by everyone that knew him. He had a zest for life and you could always count on him to share his opinion! He had many friends at the Ironhorse that became family and supported him through everything.

Gary is survived by his brother Craig (Sue) Isaacson, sister Connie (Bruce) Isaacson, Nieces and Nephew Stephanie (Jeff) Ganser, Jeff (Ashley) Isaacson, Kirsten (Mike) Lindsay, Stacy (Andy) Graff and Hallie (Jared) Peterson. Also great nieces and nephews Jackson, Carter, Griffin and Sawyer Ganser, Floyd, Edwin and Greta Isaacson, Camden, Delaney, Mackenzie and Rhys Lindsay, Nora and Isaac Graff and Phoebe and Millie Peterson.

www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Niemela, Joseph Lowell age 59 of Cokato, passed away unexpectedly October 26, 2022. A memorial open house will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 2-4 PM at the Cokato Township shed. Joe was born May 22, 1963 to Paul and Louise (Anderson) Niemela in Litchfield, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the First Apostolic Lutheran Church, Cokato. He graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1981.

Joe knew Jesus as his Lord and savior. For this reason, he made it known that he did not fear death. He was always willing to help his family and friends in need and was always seeking truth.

He is survived by his siblings, Paul “Mike” (Cheryl), Nathan (Nancy), Maria (Marcelo) Borja, Aaron (Bonnie), Vincent (Brenda), Larry (Elizabeth), Maurice (Sarah), Betsy (Brett) Ravis, and Amy, also numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Louise, grandparents, Carl and Sophia Niemela and Arthur and Senja Anderson.

Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Jeffrey Paul Nikunen, 54, of Richfield passed away on October 22, 2022 at his home. The son of Rev. Jerome and Phyllis Nikunen, Jeff was born on September 15^th, 1968 in Ontonagon, MI. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and knew Jesus as his savior. An avid Boy Scout, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Minnewaukan High School in Minnewaukan, ND in 1987. He attended NDSU-Bottineau for one year before going to the Association Free Lutheran Bible School where he graduated with a Certificate of Biblical Studies in 1990. He then went to St. Paul Bible College where he earned a B.A. in History and Secondary Education graduating Cum Laude in 1992. In 2014 he earned a certification as a Computer Support Specialist from Takoda Institute.

Jeff was married to Brenda Kjos on September 1^st, 1990 in Fergus Falls, MN. They were blessed with six children.

Jeff most recently worked in various positions within the IT field. He enjoyed sports, history, hunting, fishing, board games and spending time with his kids. He made it a priority to be at as many of his kid’s sporting events, concerts, and theater productions as he could.

Jeff is survived by his children Jeremy (Emalynn), Jessica, Rose, Samuel and Caleb; former wife Brenda Nikunen; Father Rev. Jerome Nikunen; sister Rebecca Trushenski and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jeff was preceded in death by his infant son Peter; mother Phyllis Nikunen; and brother-in-law Dale Trushenski.

May God bless his memory

Visitation will be at 12 PM with the funeral service at 1 PM on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church of Cokato. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremations Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

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