Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Gordon LeRoy Diers, was born near Howard Lake, Minnesota on July 29, 1925. He grew up on a farm in rural Howard Lake and attended Howard Lake High School graduating in 1943. After graduation, Gordon stayed on the farm to help his ailing father and eventually took over the farm. During his tenure as a farmer, he focused on growing corn and producing hogs.
Gordon married Lois Marie Mainquist on May 26, 1951 at the Swedesburg Lutheran Church in rural Waverly. The couple made their home on the farm where they raised four boys. Gordon and Lois retired in 1988 and moved to Howard Lake.
During his 20’s, Gordon was an amateur pilot and owned an airplane. He loved flying and he was a member of the Flying Farmers organization. He and Lois enjoyed travel and took their family on many memorable camping trips across the US. After retirement, he and Lois traveled internationally and they set foot on every continent except Antarctica. Gordon was a life-long and very active member at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake.
Gordon passed away on February 3, 2023 at Stoney River Assisted Living in Ramsey, Minnesota. He had reached the age of 97 years, 6 months, and 5 days.
Survivors include his wife Lois, his sons Mark of Howard Lake; Timothee of
Billinudgel, Australia; Paul (Connie) of Oak Grove; and Brian (Judith) of Urbana, IL. Grandchildren are Mitchell of Oak Grove; Andrew (Kirstyn) of Modesto, CA; Sophia of Madison, WI; and Emma of Minneapolis. Great grandchildren are William and Samuel of Modesto, CA.
. Funeral service; 11 AM Friday 2/10, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake, Visitation begins at church at 10, interment Howard Lake Cemetery. Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, 320-543-3401

Mildred (Millie) (Quast) Molnau, age 103, of Howard Lake, formally of Chaska, passed away Thursday February 2, 2023 at her home. Mildred was born in Dalgren Township near Carver in Carver County on August 29, 1919 the daughter of Theodore and Helena (Preiss) Quast. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carver MN, by Rev. Henry Raedeke Jr. She attended the elementary school in Dalgren Township and received religious instruction at Trinity in Carver and was later confirmed on March 20, 1932 by Rev. Victor Osterman. She spent her youth working on the family farm and occasionally worked out. On June 30, 1942 she was united in marriage to Lester Molnau at Trinity Lutheran in Carver by Rev. Victor Osterman. They had two children a son Gary of Plymouth, MN and daughter Carol Ann Peterson of Howard Lake MN. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Lester, parents Theodore and Helena Quast, brother Harry Quast, sisters Viola Quast, Evelyn Happ and Eleanor Roeskes. She is survived by son Gary (Sharon), daughter Carol Ann, five grandson’s Mark (Jennifer), Jeffrey (Andrea), Jason (Karine) Molnau, Phillip (Billy) Koski and Vincent (Jennifier) Koski and ten great grandchildren Matthew, Danielle, Nicholas, Emily, April, Alex, Noah, Natalie, Mitchell and Trent, five great great grandchildren Ayden, Felix, Morgan, Mack and Sloane sister Orline Moore, nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Mildred was a devoted wife and mother. After working in the metropolitan area and later Cloquet MN, they retired and moved to Howard Lake in 1980. They joined St. James Lutheran Church where Millie was an active member once holding the position of Women’s Missionary League President. She belonged to the Senior Citizens holding numerous positions including President and in 1993 was named Wright County Senior Citizen of the year. She volunteered time to the Care Center, Howard Lake school advisory council, 60 plus clinic and other church and community functions. She enjoyed flower gardening, coffee gatherings, senior citizens and her Bible study class very much. A special thanks to her many friends in Howard Lake who have been a joy and help to her.

Funeral services for Mildred Molnau will be on Thursday February 9, 2023 11am at St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, with Pastor Loder officiating. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service. Nancy Butterfass the organist and special music provided by soloist Jamie Moore, Mildred’s grand-nephew. Pallbearers Phillip Koski, Vincent Koski, Mark Molnau, Jeffrey Molnau, Jason Molnau and William Weber. Interment at 2pm St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Chaska MN. In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to St. James School.

Rick (Ricky) Owen Westrum, age 71, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 29th 2023 at the St. Cloud hospital. He was born on June 18th 1951 in Bagley, MN to his parents, the late Harvey and Dorothy (Johnson) Westrum. He grew up and attended Bemidji High School in Bemidji, MN. On September 18th, 1974 he married Leilani Goss. Rick was a successful Food Services Director throughout his life and also owned several restaurants. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, helping others within his community, mentoring, volunteering with Cub/Boy Scouts, cooking, and fishing.
He is survived by brothers, Tom (Candy), Milo, and Larry; sisters, Paulette, Sharon (Lee), and Cheryl (Butch); many nieces, nephews, and god children; sons Jesse (Shannon) of Bemidji, MN, Ricky Jr. (Christine) of Montrose, MN, Wallace (Kara) of Montrose, MN, and Casey of Rockford, MN; daughter Jamie (Jamie) Hintz of Howard Lake, MN. Grandchildren: Willie, Cambell, Bridget, Logan, Amber, Cassie, Dylan, Samantha, Kelly, Jade, Tyler, Rebecca, Jennifer, Jackson, Myles, Ryder, Morgan, Riley, Kamryn, and Hattie; and several great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Leilani; son Chad; sisters Virginia Lindstrom, Crystal Westrum; and brother Bruce.
Visitation: Saturday, February 11th from noon to 2pm at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, MN. Gathering and lunch following at The American Legion in Howard Lake from 2pm to 4pm. Burial will take place at the Cass County Cemetery at a later date.

Marilyn Clarine Engel of Howard Lake, passed away at the Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, MN on January 27, 2023. She had reached the age of 94. Marilyn was born on March 7, 1928 in Cokato, MN to Clarence and Mary (Bogart) Carlson. She was baptized on May 8, 1928 at Stockholm Lutheran Church by Rev. Swan Johnson and confirmed June 13, 1943 at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Annandale by Rev Alex Sand. She attended Annandale High School.
On June 22, 1946, she was united in marriage to Duane Engel at the Bethlehem Reformed Church in Maple Lake. Their 54 years together were blessed with the birth of 4 children. They made their home and living on a farm north of Howard Lake. Marilyn owned and operated the Variety Store in Howard Lake for 10 years. She enjoyed reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, sewing, crocheting, coffee with her friends, weekends at the lake near Eden Valley, and spending time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Mary Carlson, husband, Duane, son, Craig, and 2 baby grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Bruce (Anita) Engel of Naperville, Illinois, Cheryl (Gerry) Stueven of Buffalo, Robin (Bob) Hoffman of Elk River, daughter-in-law, Sandy Engel of Jemez Springs, NM, grandchildren, Jodi (Todd) Dalbec, Jason (Carrie) Engel, Lisa (Jim) Stevenson, Tami (Jeremy) Jewell, Shelly (Doug) Watters, Matt (Sheila) Engel, Scott Hoffman, Corey (Mary) Stueven, and Kristy (Aaron) Torgrimson, brothers, Clarence “Sonny” Carlson and Gary Carlson, 25 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, with visitation 1 hour prior to services at the church. Interment will follow at the Howard Lake Cemetery. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401

Gary Arnold Estebo

March 9, 1950 – December 29, 2022

Gary A. Estebo, 72, of Weston, WI. (Suburb of Wausau), passed away on December 29, 2022 at the Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital of WI. Gary was born on March 9^th, 1950, to Arnold M. and Violet I. (Cole) Estebo, in Mankato, MN.  He was baptized at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mankato. In 1951, Arnold, Violet, and Gary moved to Amboy, MN.  Gary was confirmed at Jackson Lake Lutheran Church of Amboy. Gary graduated from the Amboy High School in 1968.  He graduated from the Medical Institute of Minnesota as a Histologist. In Bismarck, ND he was the head of the Histology dept. serving 8 area hospitals. He then returned to MN and received a BS degree from St. Cloud State University in finance. Gary was Assistant Manager in various K-Mart stores located in WI, IL, and IN.  He moved to Weston, WI in 1991 and worked in sales and marketing for Scenic Signs and Screen Printing of Wausau, WI until his retirement.  Gary has been described as kind, quiet, a good friend, trustworthy, and a down to earth good guy.  We will miss him! Gary is survived by his Sister, Mary (Harlan) Anderson of Cokato, MN; Nephews: Richard A. (Jenny Slostad) Anderson of Hastings, MN;  and Mark W. Anderson of Cokato, MN; Great Nephews: Grant S. Anderson (11) and Miles J. Anderson (9) of Hastings, MN.  He is also survived by Uncle Harvey (Betty) Estebo of Waukon, IA, and many cousins. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Violet Estebo of Amboy, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April, 1st, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Jackson Lake Lutheran Church of Amboy, with Pastor Jon Mapa officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service.  Gary will be laid to rest next to his parents in Pleasant View Cemetery, Amboy. Memorials may be made to Jackson Lake Lutheran Church, Pleasant View Cemetery or the donor’s choice. The family is being served by the Swanson Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, MN. Heartfelt appreciation goes out to Gary’s kind neighbors in Weston, WI for their caring concern and support for Gary.