Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Gail Jean Mickles, age 68 of Buffalo MN, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family May 24, 2022. Gail was born Jan. 11 1954, in Little Falls MN. Gail married her high school sweet heart Larry Mickles in May 1970. They just celebrated their 52-year anniversary. They were blessed with three children, Stacie Jastrzebski (Neil), Joel Mickles (Tammy), and Sevgi Mickles (Sarah). Gail was employed as an inspector in the Twin Cities for most of her life. She also spent time working as a local bartender for several years at Troubles in Howard Lake, MN. Her customers adored and loved her. As most have said “We truly miss ‘GiGi’, she was one of the kindest persons we have ever met.” Gail enjoyed many things in life, sewing, quilting, and embroidering. Casino outings with family and friends, she loved her ‘keno’, as well as camping at her seasonal camping spot, otherwise known as her ‘Happy Place’, with her camping family. Gail’s greatest passion in life was to spend time with her family, especially her grand kids. She was deeply loved by her grandchildren, David, Emily, Cianna and Nathan, and great-granddaughter, Layla, along with many other loving family members, friends and patrons. Gail is proceeded in death by her mother Francis Fuller and grandmother Loretta Ringwelski. A celebration of life will be held at Gail and Larry’s ‘Happy Place’, the St. Cloud Clearwater RV Park, 2454 County Rd. 143, Clearwater, MN, Sunday, July, 10 2022 at 2 p.m. Cards can be sent to: Larry Mickles, 4027 15th St. N.W., Buffalo MN, 55313. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN 320-543-3401 www.swansonpeterson.com

Audree Anderson was born on August 27, 1934 in Cokato, Minnesota, to Andrew and Irene (Lueders) Anderson.  She was baptized at home and confirmed in 1949 at the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church.  She will be buried at the Cokato Cemetery.

She grew up in Cokato and attended their schools, graduating as valedictorian in 1952 from Cokato High School.  From there she entered college at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter and then transferred to the University of Minnesota where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956 with a major in English.  She later earned a doctoral degree from the University of Maryland.

Her teaching career included positions at Wadena, Minnesota, Westminster, California and 24 years with the Department of Defense schools in Germany, England, Italy, Spain and Turkey.  Her longest placement was in Zaragosa, Spain.

In Zaragosa, she met her husband William LeCompte whom she married in November 1986.

Audree is survived by siblings John (Janet) Anderson of Richmond, Mn and Mark (Frani) Anderson of St. Peter, MN: and nephews and niece David, James, Joseph and Lindsey.  Murat LeCompte, Bill’s son, lives in Turkey and has a wife and 3 children.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 22 with visitation 1 hour prior at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Rimpy, Roger Allan

age 93, of Annandale, MN passed away June 10, 2022 at his home. He was born January 21, 1929 in Annandale to Andrew and Lillian (Ojala) Rimpy. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in French Lake, MN. Living and farming on the family farm in Annandale his entire life, he also worked at PayCo. and Creamette. He served his country in the United States Army in Korea. Roger was the sexton of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Cemetery for many years. He enjoyed dancing and traveling, driving across the United States, coast to coast.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Carol (Grau), and sons, Allan (Carmen) and Brian Rimpy.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 16 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in French Lake, MN with visitation 1 hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Sandy Vagt passed peacefully May 28, 2022 at the age of 75 after her battle with Alzheimer’s.

Sandra Jean Mahoney was born December 6, 1946 in Rochester, MN to Edward J and Caroline J Mahoney (Hoyer).  She was the oldest of 3 children. She attended John Marshall High School and Community College in Rochester. Sandy had 2 children and made her home in Plymouth, MN. She enjoyed working as a graphic arts professional at Circuit Science in Plymouth MN for many years. Sandy moved to Howard Lake MN in the late eighties. She lived and worked in the HL, Cokato & Dassel area for the remainder of her life.

Sandy was charismatic, vibrant, and beautiful. She was fun, a bit crazy, generous and a friend to everyone. She was also a strong, sassy and fiercely independent woman. She was full of life and enjoyed watching movies, listening to music, cooking, baking, playing board games, and spending time with her grandchildren. One of Sandy’s love languages was food. She was an excellent cook who showed her love and care by bringing food or bread to family and friends or cooking a grandchild their favorite dish.

Sandy is survived by her brother Michael Mahoney (Marilyn), sister Patti Jo Hertweck (Rodney), daughter Miechaleen (Micki) Diers (Tom), daughter Melynda Vagt (Bill Lesnau), grandsons Nathen Stenmark, Cory Stenmark, Ryan Stenmark, great grandchildren Brielle Marie Stenmark, Carson Shawn Laudenbach (Stenmark), Jaxon Arnaldo Huberty-Stenmark, Nieces Nicole Bonecutter (Mike), Megan Haws (Lynn) Lacy Barlow (Jason) many cousins and many friends.

Sandy is now at Peace with the Lord. She is reunited in Heaven with her parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and her beloved dogs.

We are truly grateful for the care, love and support she received the last several years with the Cokato Charitable Trust family.

Memorial services will be held at 2PM, Saturday June 25, 2022 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel with visitation 1 hour prior to service. The Rev. Janine Olson will officiate. There will be time to gather with the family following the service in the community room of the church. Refreshments will be provided.

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

Edwin (Ed) Marshall Wilcox died peacefully in his sleep early on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Howard Lake, Minnesota.

Ed was born on August 3, 1949, to Robert and Margaret Wilcox in Mauston, Wisconsin. Ed and younger brother Leo grew up in Elroy, Wisconsin and then moved to Rochester, Minnesota in 1959. Ed graduated from John Marshall High School in 1967. In 1969 Ed was drafted into the Army, training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Ed was deployed to Augsburg, Germany to serve as a radio and communication technician. After two years, Ed was transferred to the United States and after return to civilian life, Ed worked at Riteway Radio TV, Pace Electronics, and then had a long career with Koskovich Company working with truss saws. Ed was proud of his time in the service and deeply respectful of all those who gave time in service to their country.

Ed could, and would, modify anything. He enjoyed the hunt of shopping to find just the right thing, only to bring it home and proceed to modify it to make it even better for his needs. Throughout his life Ed also loved all things radio, vehicle, and train-related. He collected, repaired, and tinkered with all of the above. Photography also interested Ed, and he especially liked following steam trains to photograph them. Ed loved his home and spending time there with his wife Jeanne and their cats. Later in life, Ed enjoyed his grandchildren, talking trains, roasting marshmallows, and watching movies with them.

Ed is survived by his wife, Jeanne Wilcox; step-daughter Katie Koch (Paul); grandchildren Martin, Maria, Beatrice, and Friedrich Koch; brother Leo Wilcox (Margaret Kathryn); nephews Robert Wilcox, Daniel Wilcox (Ayla), and Joseph Wilcox. He is also survived by dear friend Nick (Joanne) Alexakis, with whom he shared every stage of life and a friendship like no other. Ed was proceeded in death by his parents, Robert and Margaret (Berhausen) Wilcox.

Interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester, Minnesota. The family will hold a graveside service this summer.