Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Donald Harlan Horsch went to be with the Lord, July 3, 2022, at the age of 84.

Donald was born Feb. 25, 1938 to Raymond and Lillie (Melinske) Horsch in Middeville Township. He was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Middleville Township, Wright County and confirmed in his faith April 6, 1952 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN.

He married LeAnn (Baird) Nov. 16, 1957 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Winsted, MN. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Steven and Bruce.

Donnie worked in the grocery business in the surrounding communities, then owning his own store in Howard Lake. He finished his career at Fairbault Foods in Cokato.

In retirement he worked at the Howard Lake Post Office. Donnie, a long-time member of St. James Lutheran Church, dedicated his time doing ground-keeping, snow removal, elder and usher.

Donnie known as the “Can Man” collected cans for over 20 years. Collecting cans was one way of showing his devotion to church and school.

He was an avid RV enthusiast traveling around Minnesota and Texas.

He married Noreen (Hirsch) Horsch on Jan. 15, 2005 and inherited six daughters.

He loved all sports, especially the Minnesota Twins, and was a sports enthusiast. He enjoyed going up north relaxing, and playing cards. He also enjoyed his fellowship with his friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lillie, late wife LeAnn of 46 years, son Bruce, brothers Clayton, Gaylan, Burton, and sister Margy.

Donnie is survived by his loving wife Noreen, son Steve, daughter in law Barb Horsch, siblings John (Chub) Horsch, Harlan Horsch, Pauline (Bob) Bella, Verla (Roger) Olson, Lisa (Dwane) Kotila, Denise (Steve) Virnala, Audrey (Dan) Kappel, Julie (Marc) Linder, Myra (Troy) Laway, Gwen (Rob) Kelsey and many nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.

Donald’s funeral services will take place at St. James Lutheran church in Howard Lake at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 9, 2022 with visitation one prior to the funeral. Additional visitation Friday, July 8, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. with 6:30 p.m. prayer service at St. James Lutheran Church.

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

Sharon (Shari) Linn Barberg, age 70, of Cokato, MN passed away on July 1st, 2022. She went peacefully to her Heavenly Home surrounded by family.

She was born on September 12, 1951 at St. Cloud Hospital to Mabel (Lacina) and Clayton Linn of Kimball, MN. She was extremely close to her four siblings: Joyce, Garry, Mike and Anne. Shari  was also very close to her Lacina and Linn cousins. Her family would become a cornerstone for the rest of her days. Shari attended Kimball Public Schools graduating in 1969.

She met John through her sister Joyce and brother-in-law Jim at a church youth group meeting. Shari was a waitress at the Norseman Restaurant in Cokato at the time. John ordered a 50-cent hot chocolate, gave her a 50 cent tip, and the rest was history. Shari and John were married on August 1, 1975 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Kimball. They made their home with their sons, Job and Jakub, in the Cokato area. She began her teaching career in the Rocori School District and then spent 32 years as a Special Education Teacher in Dassel-Cokato. She retired in 2010, excited to spend more time with her grandbabies, Micah, Hannah, and Andrew.

Shari famously loved people well. Everyone that knew her, felt her care. She always had a thoughtful devotion, beautifully constructed card, or deeply felt hug full of God’s grace. No matter what you had done or what you were dealing with, Shari would point you towards Jesus. The way she lived her life and loved her family and friends will not be forgotten; Shari will be dearly missed.

Shari was preceded in death by her parents Clayton and Mabel. She is survived by her husband, John; her sons, Job (Jennifer) and Jakub; grandchildren, Micah, Hannah, and Andrew Barberg; siblings Garry (Mary) Linn, Joyce (Jim) Johnson, Mike (Deb) Linn, Anne (Charlie) Wodetski, numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Sharon Elaine (Sieg) Lehtola, 73, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, July 1, 2022.

Sharon was born to Harvey R. & Ruth E. (Mackedanz) Sieg on August 27, 1948.  Sharon was the second of two daughters born to the couple.  Sharon married Charles Ernest Lehtola on January 7^th, 1967.  Two sons were born to them, Donald Charles in 1967 and Brian Harvey in 1968.  The family resided in the Town of Howard Lake until they purchased the Sieg farm south of Cokato in 1994.

Sharon worked at Airtex in Cokato until 2002 and then worked as a para to elementary children until her retirement.

Chuck and Sharon had property in Remer, MN where they made many good friends and spent many enjoyable summers and deer hunting seasons.

Sharon is survived by her sons Donald and Brian – and his special friend Kim, and grandchildren Brianna Susan & Brandon Harvey and many extended family.  She also leaves behind her faithful, much loved, four-legged companion, Lady.

Sharon was preceded in death by husband Chuck in 2017, parents Harvey & Ruth, sister Susan Ann in childhood, and many special cousins, aunts and uncles.

A special thank you to Butch & Dona, the lovely ladies who took care of Sharon in her home – Andrea, Angela, Kristy, MacKenzie, Sam, Samantha and Savannah -  and special friend and neighbor, Craig.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 8^th at 2 pm at the Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church, 5939 Oliver Ave SW, Cokato, MN 55321.  Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment is Tuesday, July 12^th at 1 pm at Lakeview Cemetery on Windy Lake in Smoky Hollow Township, 9 miles east of Remer, MN.  There will be a short service at graveside.

Arrangements provided by: Swanson Peterson Funeral Home, Cokato, MN.

Carolyn Joan Jacqueline Ittel (Pietz), 89 years 11 months, was called home by our Lord on June 30, 2022.  Carolyn passed away peacefully at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis, MN. where she resided for the past two years.

Carolyn was born on July 30, 1932, to Anna & Jack Pietz in Minneapolis, MN.  She grew up on the Rokala family farm in Kingston, MN., raised by her mom – Anna, Grandma & Grandpa, and aunts and uncles.

Carolyn graduated from Litchfield High School in 1950 and attended St. Cloud Teachers College, graduating in 1953. She taught grade school in Mound, St. Louis Park and Cokato, MN.  She met her lifelong love, James Marvin Ittel, at her best friend’s wedding (Carol Hackbarth) in 1953.

Carolyn & Jim were wed on July 27, 1957, in the same church where they had met – the Finnish Lutheran Church by Cokato, MN.  Carolyn was Dad’s “Honey Bunny” and for 65 years together that always made her eyes light up!  Carolyn was a wonderful Mother to Michael (1959) and Mark (1963).

Carolyn was always there for her family and provided her advice and consultation through the passions and difficulties of our lives. She was a partner with James in Ittel’s Meats and the PDQ stores in the Twin Cities area. They worked together for more than 30 years. After retirement, they enjoyed traveling in Europe, Alaska, and other destinations.

Carolyn was an enthusiastic collector of fine pottery and glassware and she loved music.  She played the clarinet and piano and had a wonderful voice that filled our home with warmth and kindness. She was proud of her Finnish heritage, and her families’ accomplishments.

Carolyn was predeceased by her mother, Anna, her many aunts and uncles, and Aunt Lil, who was a big sister to her.  She is survived by her husband, James; Michael, Connie (wife), and Zachary (Grandson); Mark, Dawn (wife), Alyssa and Kelsea (Granddaughters); half-brother, Bob (Charlotte) Pietz, and half-sister, Jackie Shaw .  There are many nephews and nieces, cousins and friends that will miss her charm, wit, and laughter!

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials are given to St. James Lutheran Parochial School. There will be a visitation from 5pm – 7pm on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at St. James Lutheran Church; and a funeral service on Friday, July 8, 2022, at 11:00am (with viewing one hour prior) also at St. James Lutheran Church at 1000 7^th Ave., Howard Lake, MN. 55349.  A luncheon will follow.  Carolyn will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Details to be released later. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401

Timothy David Youngren, age 86 of Howard Lake, MN passed away June 29, 2022, at The Lodge assisted living facility in Howard Lake. Tim and his twin brother, Ted, were born March 29, 1936, in Minneapolis, MN, to Theodore and Eunice (Schwalen) Youngren.

He was baptized at Calvary Lutheran in Minneapolis and confirmed at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato. He graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1954. On September 24, 1960, he was united in marriage to LaVonne Carlson at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato.

Tim served his country in the United States Army from 1957 through 1958. He was honorably discharged, to return to the farm.

Born in Minneapolis at the Swedish hospital with brother Ted, early in their childhood the Youngren family moved south of Waverly to a rental farm. Later, their parents purchased the Youngren Farm in Howard Lake.  Tim and LaVonne subsequently purchased their farm, just down the road, north of Waverly in the 1960’s and enjoyed raising their family at the farm.

Tim was a selfless man with a strong faith in God. He was a dairy and crop farmer that enjoyed life to the fullest. Tim was accident prone. The most notable of which was losing his thumb in a waterskiing accident. As a result of this accident, he met LaVonne where she was a receptionist at the hospital.

He had time for everyone, and no one was a stranger for very long. He loved treats and coffee, butter on everything, mowing the lawn, snowmobiling and ATV rides with friends, and feeding and watching birds. He loved spending time with his family whether working at the farm, around a dinner table, at the lake, or on vacation.

Traveling and the outdoors were passions of Tim and LaVonne’s including enjoying time in Arizona with LaVonne’s family, traveling to Germany, Israel, New Zealand, and many national and state parks. He enjoyed every school event: sports, music, FFA, and 4-H.

He was Grandpa Tim, Timmy, or Timbo to more than his family, and he loved person and the joy they brought to his life.

Tim is survived by his wife, LaVonne, children Cindy (Roger) Heuer, Scott (Kim) Youngren, and Wendy (Ryan)Youngren Doran.  Grandchildren; Alyssa (Adam) Farrell, Josh (Brittany) Myers, David Youngren, Courtney (Travis) Duxbury, Derek (Emily) Youngren, Carl (Ellie)Heuer and Dylan (Kennedy)Youngren and Tessa (Troy) Taylor of New Zealand.  Great Grandchildren; Kayden, Grayson and Haylen Farrell, Brodee, Addisyn, Evelyn and Charleigh Myers, Maren, Myla and Maggie Duxbury, Teddy and Henrik Youngren, and Lucy and Julia Heuer.

Preceded in death by his parents Ted and Eunice Youngren, sister Lois Hoseth, twin brother Ted Youngren and great granddaughter Rosalie Heuer.

A funeral service for Tim will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, July 9, 2022 with visitation beginning at 10 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com