Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Pastor John Alden Peterson was born on  June 3rd,1935 to John J. Peterson, and Inez Caroline Hanson-Peterson in Cherokee, Iowa. John passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 4th, 2023 at 87 years of age in Buffalo, MN.

John spent his earlier years proudly assisting his father in the family grocery store in Avoca, MN. In May of 1953, he graduated from Slayton High School where he was the starting quarterback for his school’s football team and was well known as the class jokester.

He later joined the United States Marine Corps and served from June 1st, 1954 to June 1st,1956.

While serving in the Marines John was befriended by a Chaplain who encouraged him to enter the Ministry.  After his service in the Marines John attended and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota where he met the love of his life, Lynda Lou Hedbom-Peterson.  John and Lynda were married on June 21st, 1959 and served God together through nearly 60 years of marriage.

John and Lynda moved to Rock Island, Illinois where he completed his Seminary education graduating from Augustana Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.

John served as a Pastor in Michigan, Texas, Carlton, Brooklyn Center, Cokato, Dassel, and Litchfield, Minnesota.

Through his years of service in pastoral ministries, he held the titles of Bureau of Prisons Chaplain, Missionary, Visitation Pastor, Hospice Chaplain and was honored with Pastor of Emeritus of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Dassel Minnesota.  Throughout John and Lynda’s marriage, they never backed down from an adventure whether it was the Holy Land, Jerusalem, or exploring their homelands of Sweden, and Norway. The pair even took on ziplining in Duluth, MN and flying in a hot air balloon in their 70s.

Family meant the world to John including attending every sporting event, choir, band concert, and play that he could attend.  John’s grandchildren will always remember the many hours spent on the jet skis, boating and in the hot tub alongside their Lake Washington, MN home. Along with his later-in-life four-wheeler rides.

John’s infectious laugh and sense of humor will constantly ring through the heads of those that had the privilege to know him. He was well-liked by those he met due to the constant positivity and gratitude he shared with others. John always expressed his independence with the gravely statement, “I’m a Marine! I can do it.”

John was a true disciple of Christ in every aspect of his life. Tack skå du ha(many thanks) for the many PRECIOUS MEMORIES.

John is survived and missed by his children, Jerome John Peterson, his wife Kathy Jo Peterson, Joy Roxanne Marschel, and her husband Gary John Marschel. Forever cherished and remembered by his grandchildren Brianna, her husband, Austin, Christian, Charlie, and Angelyn. His brothers Ronald, his wife Rose,  Dennis, his wife Karen, and their families. He will be missed by many loved ones and special friends. John was preceded in death by his wife, Lynda, and his parents John and Inez.

A visitation will be held 4-8 PM on Wed. 1/11 with 7 PM prayer. A funeral will be held at 2 PM on Thur. 1/12, all at Gethsemane Luth. Church in Dassel. Arr. by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Roy Ernest Skoog, age 95, passed away on January 5, 2023, at Engel Haus Assisted Living in Albertville, Minnesota. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota on November 15, 1927. The third child of Saima and Olaf Skoog, Roy’s early years on the family farm in Wolf Lake were character-building. While his father was in a sanitarium with tuberculosis, Roy bonded with his brothers over barn chores, chopping wood, and helping his mother run the household.

Born with a cleft palate and a lifelong speech impediment, strangers might have considered him a man of few words. But to friends and family, Roy was a robust storyteller. At age 32, he met and married a social butterfly, Mary Ruonavaara, and together they raised 9 children. He was known to have sweet tooth and Mary enabled this by making sure that the cookie jar was never empty.

Retiring in 1989, he spent hours in the wood shop making chairs, clocks and mirrors by the dozen and gifting them to his children and grandchildren.  Roy enjoyed reading the newspaper and books on American history. His days centered around coffee and cookie breaks at the kitchen table with “Ma.” But the highlight of his retirement years were long road trips zig-zagging the country visiting friends and family with Mary by his side.  He delighted in watching grandchildren play on his living room floor.

The Gospel of the forgiveness of sins was his source of strength and what he leaned on until the end of his earthly life.  Roy and Mary had a home where visitors were always welcome and were accepted as they were.

Roy is survived by nine children: Juliana (Gerald) Johnson of Skanee, Michigan, Janet (Karl) Niemela of Lake Stevens, Washington, Thomas (Janet) Skoog of Otsego, Minnesota, Dale (Laura) Skoog of Rogers, Minnesota, Darlene (Tim) Sutinen of Phoenix, Arizona, Andrew (Hanna) Skoog of Waverly, Minnesota, Wayne (Susan) Skoog of Greenfield, Minnesota, Annemarie (Steve) Jones of Longview, Washington, and Jennifer Skoog of New York, New York; 66 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren; siblings Arthur Skoog and Esther (John) Martin, sister-in-law Edna Skoog; He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Skoog; parents Olaf and Saima Skoog, brothers Walter, Rudolph, Kenneth, and Harvey Skoog and grandchildren Brady Alan Niemela and Ashley Rose Johnson.

Visitation to be held from 5:30 – 8 PM, with 7 PM prayer on Monday, January 9, 2023 at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church and continue at 10:00am on January 10, 2023, followed by the funeral at 11:00am.  Burial will follow services at the Finnish Cemetery in Cokato, Minnesota.

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

Brown, Rolland W.

Age 76, of Dassel, MN, previously from Burnsville, passed away on Dec. 20, 2022. A celebration of life is being planned for a later date. Arr. by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Jerald “Jerry” Micheal Meyer, age 73 of Cokato passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 22, 2022 at St Cloud Hospital.

Jerry was born to Melvin and Marvel Meyer Thanksgiving Day on November 24th, 1949 in Glencoe MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Brownton MN. Growing up Jerry was nicknamed “Smiley” by his family and friends for his contagious smile and charming personality. He grew up by Lake Marion, during school he participated in wrestling and football. He attended Brownton Elementary and graduated from Brownton High School in 1968.

Jerry worked with his dad on a mink farm at Lake Marion. After graduation he was employed doing construction then joined the Army in 1970. Jerry proudly served in several states and was stationed in Germany through 1972. On August 18th, 1973 he married Connie Hackbarth at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN. Together they were blessed with 5 children: Christopher, Matthew, Brent, Brian and Laura. He was employed by Shwartz Manufacturing, RayDot and Faribault Foods.

Jerry was a member of the Cokato JayCee’s. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, garage sales, auctions, calling in to KWRC Trade Radio advertising his yard sale “⅛ mile north of the stop lights” in Cokato and his yearly family trips up to Mille Lacs Lake. The most important thing to Jerry was spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Marvel Meyer; sister Janet Zajicek, brother in law Henry Zajicek; father in law and mother in law Carl and Eleanor Hackbarth; and nephew Jeremy Meyer.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife Connie of 49 years, son’s Christopher Meyer, Matthew (Kari) Meyer, Brent Meyer (fiancee Natalie Griffin), Brian Meyer, daughter Laura (Alex Mages), grandchildren Makayla Meyer, Jenessa Meyer, Maverick Meyer and step grandchildren Isaac Dow and Jocelyn Dow. In addition to sibling’s James (Corrine) Meyer, Judith (Thomas) Theisfeld, Jerome (Rose) Meyer. Sister in law Carol Prince and several niece’s and nephew’s.

While Jerry left us too soon, the impact he had on the community will be felt for years to come. His quick wit and sense of humor will be dearly missed. Blessed be his memory.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 29 and visitation will be held from 5-7PM on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 and continue 1 hour prior to services on Thursday, all at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Mark Gabrielson passed away on December 8, 2022 at his home in Darwin, MN at the age of 43.
Mark Merle Gabrielson was born on June 1, 1979, to Gary and Jo Anne Gabrielson of Darwin, and lived his whole life in Twine Ball Country, the affectionate name he gave to his place of birth, where he and his family would eventually build a beautiful home. For over thirty years he worked to continue the community’s rich farming legacy, helping his Uncle Richard and Aunt Debbie on the family farm and, after Richard’s passing in 2018, his friends Jared and Courtney Johnson on their farm. A member of the Darwin City Council and the Forest City Threshers, as well as a lifelong member of the Rod and Gun Club, Mark was a celebrated and active member of the local community.

After graduating from Litchfield High School in 1998, Mark worked for 24 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator for the Ailie family at Ailie Construction out of Dassel. You may have seen his infectious smile as he passed by in his American Flag decaled pump truck, or heard his booming laugh while he poured concrete. Countless homes and farms across the state and beyond bear Mark’s touch, with his commitment to excellence poured into their very foundations.

Mark married Laura (Winge) in Hawaii on September 29, 2009. Together, they raised their sons Cole (22) and Lincoln (7) in Darwin. Mark relished being a dad and was very good at it.  He was a constant at sporting events and bedtime stories. Mark loved their adventures together; he was a world traveler, avid SCUBA diver and enjoyed camping and going to the lake, creating lifetime memories with his family.
When he wasn’t pouring walls, building foundations, or farming, Mark loved fixing machines with his brother Eric in the “clubhouse”, so that everyone, young or old, could find joy in riding. Whether he was fixing up ATVs, snowmobiles, side by sides, or any other vehicle you could name, Mark lived for making sure that everyone had something to ride so they could share his joy of riding. Mark worked hard to maintain the amazing network of ATV trails that he, his brothers and family built. They will continue to be enjoyed by so many of his friends and family.
Mark , “Ed”, “Edgar”, or “Uncle Giggars”, will be remembered for his incredible integrity; love for his family; diligent work ethic; quick sense of humor; his care for all those around him; the unbending friendship he offered; his unselfish willingness to help others, and so much else. He was and will continue to be beloved and cherished by everyone he met.

He was an incredible person who enjoyed life to the fullest.

Those left to cherish Mark’s memory and continue his legacy are his wife, Laura, and sons, Lincoln and Cole (Juliana), grandson Bennett, his mother, Jo Anne of Litchfield, brothers, Eric (Kristi) of Darwin and Ian (Lianne) of Hong Kong, and many loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Gary, and his uncles Richard Gabrielson and James Thalberg.
Upon Mark’s specific request a Celebration of Life will be held on July 8th, 2023. Details will be announced by his family at a later date.
It is cruel that Mark was stolen from us so soon. It is an understatement to say he will be missed. Those of us who knew him will honor his memory by remembering to be “1% smarter” than the problems we are trying to tackle, and by living joyfully, at full throttle.

Rest in peace, brother.