Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Phyllis Mlinar Smith passed away March 29, 2023 of natural causes at The Lodge of Howard Lake in Minnesota at the age of 93. She was born Phyllis Janet Mlinar on Friday, August 2, 1929, in Spring Valley, MN to Joseph and Emily (Yukel) Mlinar. She grew up in Spring Valley and graduated valedictorian from Spring Valley High School, class of 1947. She went on to attend the University of Minnesota, College of Medical Sciences and earned a Graduate in Nursing Degree with distinction in 1952. Her time there included an additional year to obtain a teaching certificate which she would utilize later in her life. She was also a member of Alpha Tau Delta, a fraternity for students and professionals in the nursing fields.
After her graduation, she left MN to work at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. While working there she met Richard F. Smith of Howard Lake, MN who was a patient. On a road trip where Richard drove Phyllis and her roommates to MN for the holidays, there was plenty of time to get better acquainted. Needless to say, a while later she relocated from Boston to New York City to work at New York Hospital and be near where Richard was working. They were married in Spring Valley in July 1955. After the wedding, they moved to Mobile, Alabama and Phyllis taught nursing at the Providence Hospital School. In 1957 their first daughter Carol was born in Baltimore. They moved again in 1958 to Ridgewood, NJ where son Richard J. and daughter Janet were born. They called Ridgewood home for close to 60 years.
After the children were grown, Phyllis worked at the local County Health Department in the Cancer Detection Program. Retiring in 1992, she shared her time between homemaking and volunteering at the church and the American Red Cross. In 2007 when Richard retired, they moved to Howard Lake, MN to the Smith Family Homestead. While there she continued her volunteering activities and enjoyed helping Richard make maple syrup. Richard passed away in 2019 and Phyllis relocated for the final time to The Lodge,
Through the years, Phyllis was involved in professional organizations including the American Association of University Woman and Nurses Guild and she held officer positions in both organizations. She enjoyed helping children through her leadership in the Girl Scouts, mentoring confirmation communicants, teaching Sunday school, volunteering at the school library, and helping with the church children’s choir. Phyllis was active in the Presbyterian Church in both Ridgewood, NJ and Howard Lake. In addition to participating in the prayer chain, Bible study, and Sunday greeting activities, she held officer positions at both churches. She enjoyed sewing clothes, needlework, quilting, and crafting. There was never a day without fresh baked goods in the Smith household. Phyllis enjoyed entertaining and always found time to bring people together be it friends, family, or past acquaintances. Early in their married life, Richard and Phyllis learned to ski. This became a lifelong activity the entire family enjoyed which ultimately led to them building a vacation home in Colorado where they welcomed family and friends from around the world. Travel was always a part of Phyllis’s life. Be it related to Richard’s shipping business or just for pleasure, she had the privilege to travel all around the world. Phyllis liked to share her travel experiences in summary journals and photos.
Phyllis was passionate about life and above all else loved her family. She was devoted and supportive not only to her husband and children but to all her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Emily Mlinar, brothers and sisters in law Dale and Hjordy, Keith and Jean, and Joseph P. and Joyce, and nephews Mark Mlinar and Allyn Smith.
Phyllis is survived by children: Carol Lehr (Joe Houghton) of Huntingdon Valley, PA, Richard J. Smith of Minneapolis, MN, and Janet E. Smith of Fairbanks, AK; 36 nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and countless dear friends.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 with visitation 1 hour prior to services at the First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, Minnesota. 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Harlan Elmer Schmieg passed away March 23, 2023. Surrounded by his family he went into the arms of Jesus after a 2 ½ year battle with cancer.
Harlan was born on Oct. 25, 1944 in Mpls., MN to Elmer and Orella (nee Luhman) Schmieg of Howard Lake, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake. He attended St. James School through 8th grade and graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1962.
Harlan enjoyed family gatherings. He was a blessing to his family, always willing to help and pray for others. He prayed also for the country that he loved.
In 1965, he went to work at Lester’s Inc. in the Polyfoam Bldg. In 1968, he began work at MTS in Eden Prairie, MN. He returned to the family farm in 1979, when his dad retired. Harlan was always striving for excellence at whatever he did. He was awarded trophies from National Farmers in 1982 & 1984 for superior quality in milk production.
In 1990, after selling the milk cows, Harlan went to work for Dura Supreme Cabinetry where he stayed until retirement.
In retirement he drove for Wright County Human Services, delivered Meals on Wheels, and volunteered at Save & Share Thrift Store in Cokato.
Since 2001, he has been active in Square and round dancing as a member of the Westonka Whirlers Square Dance Club.
Harlan was well known as a friendly person with a pleasant smile. He enjoyed old country western and Gospel music, planting flowers, and keeping detailed accounting records. He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church and served on the Cemetery Board and as a long time usher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Judy Schmieg, nephew Ricky Schmieg, niece Connie Baumann and great niece McKenzie Compton.
He is survived by brother Gary (Ruth) of Cokato, brother Dale (Evelyn) of Howard Lake, sister Carolyn (Dane) Compton of Garfield, MN, brother Merlyn (Karen) of Howard Lake, brother Mark (Barb) of Howard Lake, and sister Bev (David) Allen of Howard Lake, 8 nieces, 8 nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are Wednesday, March 29th, at 2:00, at St. James Lutheran in Howard Lake with a visitation beginning at 1:00. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake. www.swansonpeterson.com 320-543-3401
Pall bearers are nephews Michael Schmieg, Paul Compton, Jason Schmieg, Dan Schmieg, Tim Schmieg, and Cord Allen.

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