Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Mazie Coleen Roberts, age 93, passed away October 8, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at home in Howard Lake after a short illness. A wonderful wife, mom, grandma, and friend, Mazie brought warmth, compassion and hospitality to all and will be missed. Preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Roberts; her parents, Burt and Doris Morton and siblings, Buck, Wayne, Bill and Bonnie. Survived by her daughters, Colleen (Ray) Draxler, Jean (David) Chavez and Judy (Dan) Hammer; her grandsons, Derrick (Leann) Hammer, Mark Hammer, Peter Draxler and Joe Draxler and her great-granddaughters, Nola and Mae Hammer.

Born in Velva, North Dakota on August 11, 1929, she moved with her family to Bemidji, Minnesota and graduated from Bemidji High School before moving to Minneapolis to become an x-ray technician. She married Stan Roberts in 1950 and they raised their three girls in St. Louis Park, Echo and Howard Lake. Mazie created homes filled with love, books, flowers and sweet treats. A talented seamstress for her girls, Mazie also served her church and community and cared for her family and neighbors.

Mazie worked with special education students in Howard Lake, supported her daughters through college and beyond and was her husband’s caregiver through his heart transplant. She loved spending summer days at the family cabin up north and winters in Fort Myers. But mostly she cherished the home she and Stan created on Howard Lake with huge flower and vegetable gardens, apple trees, bird watching, great fishing off the dock, playing with the grandkids, cruising the shoreline on the pontoon, awesome sunsets and wonderful friends.

Services will be held at Zion United Methodist Church, South Haven, MN on October 17, 2022, 11:00 am, with a visitation at 10:00 am. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Larry Maurice Meehan passed away on Wednesday, September 21,2022 at Orchard Path Senior Living Community in Apple Valley, MN at the age of 80.  Larry was born June 17,1942 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Max and Bessie (Green) Meehan. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith. Larry received his education at Buffalo Lake Public School and graduated with the Class of 1960. He attended St. Cloud State University. Within his first year of college, his father Max became ill and Larry returned to Buffalo Lake to help run the family business, Meehan Bros. Oliver Implement. Larry later completed his Associates of Arts degree at Minneapolis Community College.

Larry was united in marriage to Rita Harkman on December 27,1963 in Cokato, MN. They resided in Buffalo Lake where they raised their family and remained active in the community. In 1968, Larry began work in the telecommunications industry at Minnesota Central Telephone Co. working throughout MN and South Dakota as an Installer/Repairman which later became known as Contel in Hector, MN. Larry held several positions as Plant and Facility Engineer as well as Plant Superintendent of Operations until relocating to the Contel office in Mound, MN in 1984. Contel later became GTE and Larry continued to work as an engineer until 1995. Larry retired in 2006 after enjoying several part-time jobs that were scheduled around life at the cabin, golf, travel and meaningful time with family and friends, including his most recent, delivering the morning paper to residents at Orchard Path with his beloved companion Hubert the black lab.

Larry served as a member of the Buffalo Lake Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and Lions Club and was on the board of trustees at Buffalo Lake United Methodist Church and Bethel United Methodist Church in Mound. He was also a member of the Royal Arch Masons of Minnesota. A life-long dog lover, Larry served as a volunteer at Can Do Canines in New Hope, MN as a dog driver, foster and ambassador.

He is loved and deeply missed by his daughter Tamie (Mark) Morken; son Mark Meehan, daughter-in-law Missy Meehan; grandchildren, Kylie and Adam Morken, Max and Jack Meehan; brother Jon (Lisa) Meehan, many cousins and dear friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Rita and brother-in-law Mark Harkman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) or the charity of your choice.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at Stockholm Lutheran Cemetery, Stockholm Township, south of Cokato, MN.

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

Nora Minnie Klima, 7, passed away on Friday, September 23rd at Children’s Hospital. Nora was born on September 15th, 2015 to Josh and Jenny (Augustin) Klima and was welcomed home by her big sister Emma. It was then Nora’s turn to be the “older” sister when her younger brother John joined the “Klima Clan,” a few years later.  Nora resided with her family on a beautiful crop farm just south of Cokato, MN.

Nora will be ever-so-missed by so many people that she touched in her very short 7 years of life. She had the most incredible love for her family and friends.  She loved to lend a helping hand. Even though she may have been shy at times, her love was always strong. She had the best smile, giggle, and hugs. Her heartwarming personality had the ability to melt a room with her presence. She always felt comforted knowing that mom and dad were near. Living in a busy household, Nora often liked to retreat to some “peace and quiet” spaces such as mom and dad’s big bed and HER corner of the couch. Always accompanied by her polka dot blankie.

Nora, affectionately known as “Nora Minner’s,” was the true epitome of a princess farm girl. She was the type of girl that would wear high heels and a dress to go ride her bike or for a ranger ride. Growing up as a little girl, Nora loved to play! One moment she could be playing princess and butler or doctor and the next she could be getting dirty in a mud puddle with her brother and sister. She also enjoyed playing kitchen, serving up the most delicious array of food, organizing and trading her Real Littles/Mini Brands and had the most infamous fidget collections one could ever see! She really did love her toys! Some other of her favorites were unicorns, rainbows, and the color purple and even gold. You could also find her jamming out to the music hits of Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Bruno Mars. Nora really could jam with the best of anyone as she had an amazing voice! Nora could create her own song on a whim and even sing along to a song without even knowing the words. Her voice truly was that of an Angel. Her favorite foods were Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (extra butter of course), corn dogs, tacos, chips and cheese and, “a bunch of stuff.” Nora absolutely loved the water, especially swimming at her aunt and uncle’s lake.

One of Nora’s favorite milestones was to plan her birthday parties! She would start party planning 9 months in advance! Nora would take her time opening each gift very meticulously and would always ensure to say thank you. Our family plans to celebrate her 7th birthday on Wednesday evening to open her birthday gifts, have cake and carry on, just as she would have enjoyed. Our family will forever honor Nora’s love of toys and gifts by graciously donating her birthday gifts and other items in the future to Child Life at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics or to other organizations as desired by the family.

One of Nora’s favorite movies was “The Grinch”. She had a strong obsession for this Christmas tale. It will be forever cherished in our family memories. Nora’s love for others and selfless way of living life will be carried on by following what this wise movie has portrayed: “In a world of Grinches, be a Cindy Lou Who.”

A celebration of life will take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato. Please dress comfortably and colorful. No visitation is scheduled prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Nora’s love of toys and playfulness, Nora’s family asks that those who wish to express sympathy consider bringing a toy or game to the church before or on the day of the service. Nora’s family will be graciously donating these items to Child Life at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics. 

Elizabeth Mary “Libbie” Corr (Johnson), age 72, died peacefully on Saturday, August 27th, at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg, Texas. Libbie was born on November 17, 1949, in Devils Lake, North Dakota, to Eugene James “Jim” and Alice (Foley) Johnson. She received an undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota and a Master of Education from Pan American University. She spent her career as an elementary school teacher, primarily at St. Mary’s Elementary and Morningside Elementary, and as a librarian at Sharp Elementary in Brownsville, Texas. In 1976, she married John “Jack” Corr of Winsted, Minnesota. They lived in Brownsville until 2011 when they retired and moved to Alamo, Texas, and Annandale, Minnesota. She is survived by her husband and her daughters Kathleen (Geoffrey) Schroder of Denver, Colorado, and Jacqueline Corr of New York, New York. She was preceded into death by her parents and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Patrick and Margaret (Maggie) Corr. Libbie was a beloved wife and mother. Although she enjoyed baking and gardening, her passion was reading. This passion was reflected in her career in childhood education and as an elementary school librarian. As per her wish, she will be interred in Minnesota next to her best friend and sister-in-law Maggie. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of one’s choice. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake with interment to follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Winsted, Minnesota, followed by a gathering at the Blue Note Ballroom in Winsted. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Arline Mary Sebring (Vogel) of Cokato, MN, passed away September 10^th, 2022 peacefully at her home in Cokato.

Arline was Born June 5^th 1962 to Bernadine and Melvin Vogel in Staples Mn. Where she lived on the farm until she graduated. After graduating from Motley high school in 1980, she married her high school sweet heart Michael Sebring.  Michael enlisted in the Army and they moved around with each duty station he was assigned to including Texas and Alaska.  They Had Four kids together and with every kid they grew deeper and deeper in love. The oldest Amanda Lee Sebring, their set of identical twins Jason Michael Sebring and Jarod Melvin Sebring, and youngest son Travis Hal Sebring.  Eventually Arline landed in Cokato with her family and her and Michael started setting down roots.  Once the children were old enough, she started working outside the home at various manufacturing plants and made her way to 3M in Hutchinson Mn, were she worked there for 30 years. When both of her parents passed away Arline and Michael bought half the family farm and had plans to retire and build their forever home. They were almost done moving and ready to start building. Arline enjoyed being surrounded by friends and family and playing family games together such as Taboo. She also enjoyed being around a camp fire surrounded with friends and family sharing stories, music and laughing.  Maybe even a having cocktail or two.  Arline had a big heart and cared about others more than they cared about themselves sometimes.  She will always be remembered for how much she cared about everything including the little things.

Arline is preceded in death by her Parents Bernadine and Melvin Vogel, Her brothers Ed Vogel, Donald Vogel, Her father-in-law Gerald Sebring, and Dennis Caouette.

Arline is survived by her husband Michael Sebring, Amanda Sebring (Eric Brubaker), Jason Sebring (Lucynda Sebring), Jarod Sebring (Sara Sebring), Travis Sebring (Julie Wagner) and 15 Grandchildren.

A visitation will take place from 4-7 PM on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 16 with visitation 1 hour prior to services at St. Philip Catholic Church in Litchfield, Minnesota. Burial will take place at Poplar Cemetery, near Leader, Minnesota at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534