Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Patricia Darlene VanBenschoten
6/9/1944 – 1/8/2025

Patricia Darlene (Ellefson) VanBenschoten was born on June 9, 1944 to Ernest & Eleanor Ellefson in Pipestone, Minnesota and grew up on a farm near Sherman, South Dakota. “Patty Girl” was the fifth born, but first girl amongst the nine children.

Pat attended a one room schoolhouse close to the family farm through sixth grade. She graduated high school in 1962 in Garretson, SD. Her first job while in high school was with Bethany Home Assisted Living in Sioux Falls, SD. After high school, she attended the Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI) in Golden Valley, MN before attending the Swedish School of Nursing in Minneapolis, MN.

After nursing for a while, Pat joined the Volunteers in Service to American (now known as AmeriCorps VISTA) in Arkansas where she helped under privileged Americans. Upon finishing her service, she became a private nurse to Mrs. Morris T. Baker. She really enjoyed this job as they traveled together, and it was on one of these trips that she met the love of her life, Jerry VanBenschoten.

Pat and Jerry said their “I Dos” in Miami, FL on August 8, 1974. Together they moved to Minnesota to be closer to Pat’s family and finally settled in Howard Lake. She continued her career at the 3M Factory in Hutchinson, MN until her retirement.

On October 15, 1981, Pat and Jerry welcomed their daughter Sara, who completed their family. She was overjoyed when her first grandchild, Nora, was born in 2015 and even more so when Jasper came along in 2019.

After 44 years in the family home, she moved into The Lodge of Howard Lake. She enjoyed spending time with her fellow residents and really felt at home. Her hobbies included spending time with family and friends, traveling, gardening, bird watching, doing puzzles and reading her Bible.

Pat passed away unexpectedly on January 8, 2025 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.

Pat is survived by daughter Sara (Will) Selvidge, grandchildren Nora & Jasper, siblings Bob (Dorly) Ellefson, Luanne (David) Jorgenson, Nancy Corpe, Ruth Lindstrom, Connie Ellefson and many extended relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gerald and her siblings Jeff Ellefson, Dean Ellefson, Ron Ellefson and Lois Ellefson.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Living Waters Christian Fellowship (312 Pacific Ave) in Waverly, Minnesota with visitation one hour prior.

Michael James McLane, age 67, peacefully passed away in Annandale, Minnesota, while under Hospice Care in his sister Marilyn’s home.

Born in Graceville, Minnesota on July 18,1957, Michael entered the arms of Jesus on January 7th, 2025, surrounded by family and friends.

Known for his gentle spirit Mike had a love of all God’s creatures, including his beloved dogs, cats, chickens and even a pot-bellied pig named PIG.

He enjoyed the thrill of riding Harleys and created many memories and lasting friendships through many numerous charity motorcycle rides.

Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Michael’s charming Scottish -Irish wit brought joy to everyone around him.

He was fortunate to have neighbors in his hometown of Sandstone, Minnesota, who were like family.

Sadly, he is preceded in death by his parents, Buzz and Marion and stepfather Harley Mundy and sister Melanie McLane. He is survived by siblings Marilyn McLane, Margery McLane, Mitchell (Missy) McLane, Leanne Mundy Vosberg, Steven Mundy and Monica (John) Husmann along with many loving family members and friends.

Arrangements by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato and Howard Lake, Minnesota. #320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

JoAnne Marie Sigman
10/31/1957 – 12/29/2024

Joanne Marie Sigman was born October 31, 1957 to Henry & Betty Ford in Minneapolis, MN. She grew up in Brooklyn Park and moved around quite a bit before settling in Fairhaven in 1999.

She had a love of animals, gardening & landscaping. She enjoyed visits to Florida and was a wonderful friend to many. Her home always had an open door for visitors.

JoAnne is survived by her children: Kory (Melody) Conway, Jessie Conway, Jaryl Sigman, Ryan (Kim) Zepplin and Dan Carriveau and brother Tim Ford, many grandchildren including: Lexi, Ivory, Maggie, Keegan, Finnigan and many nieces and nephews.

Proceeded in death by loving husband Wesley, sisters: Mary Sorenson and Cathy Joachim and her parents Henry and Betty Ford.

Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 6, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake, Minnesota with visitation starting one hour prior.

Gordon Paul Raisanen, 68 of Cokato, MN passed away December 15, 2024 in his home after 16 years of challenges following brain cancer.

Gordon was born November 18th, 1956 in Buffalo, MN, son of the late Paul & Mildred Raisanen. He was raised at the family farm in Cokato with his 14 siblings, where hard work wasn’t a lesson to be learned, it was just the way of life. He attended country school at Temperance Corner and graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1974.

After exploring various jobs in Minneapolis as a young adult, life brought him back to Cokato to become a part owner of R&H Painting Inc.

In 1977, Gordon married his childhood friend Ruth Hannus and they made their home in Cokato, where they raised their 10 children.

Gordon’s unique interests included photography, scuba diving, aviation, staying physically active and touring the countryside on his motorcycle.

Gordon valued good conversation with people of all walks of life, especially nieces, nephews and other youth. He was not a man who saw life as it was, rather, what it could be. He loved asking questions and listened with keen interest, always ready to see things from a new angle. This interest may have inspired him to resume studying in his 30’s. He graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in 1997, and pursued his career as an attorney for 10 years, until the age of 52, when he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Even when speech became difficult after surgery, Gordon’s presence spoke volumes. A nod, a glance, or a smile conveyed a world of meaning. His optimism and humor never faltered. There was a quiet grace in the way he faced each day. A reminder that even in life’s most trying moments, hope can be found.

Many of us heard short comments from Gordon including, “Beautiful.” “No Cancer.” “Nice.” “It was good.” “Home-Home.” Although most words were taken from him in his later years, Gordon never lost the ability to preach the gospel of forgiveness until his final days.

Gordon is survived by his wife of 47 years: Ruth of Cokato, children: Riina (Eric) Koski of Cokato, Trisha (William) Koski of Dassel, Angela (Mark) Meredith of South Haven, Grant (Angela) of Dassel, Kristen (Darren) Byman of Silt, CO, Bryce (Brittany) of Cokato, Gregory (Courtney) of Cokato, Charlton of Cokato, Kambria of Cokato, and Kyler (Erika) of Cokato, and 56 grandchildren. He is further survived by his 14 siblings: Randall, Joan Kotila, Mary (George) Koivukangas, Kenneth (Pearl), Bruce (Patricia), Carolyn Mattila, Heidi (Larry) Torola, Warren (Brita), Susan, Dwight, Laura (Evan) Bekkala, Gretchen (Mark) Plough, Kirsti (Nick) Lang, and Philip, many nieces, nephews and relatives.

Gordon is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Mildred, brothers-in-law Mervin Mattila & Mark Kotila, sister-in-law Sheryle Raisanen, several nephews, and a niece.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church with visitation on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 4-8 PM with a 7 PM prayer service and continue 1 hour prior to services on Thursday, all at the church.

Marlys Marie was born on January 26th to Henry and Helen (Anderson) Salmela in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the youngest of three children. Marlys grew up in Minneapolis. She spent her summers in Kingston with her Grandma Sophie while her parents were working. When her family moved to Cokato Marlys spent her teenage years working at the family business, the Cokato Bakery where she made life long friends. The bakery became a loving place filled with countless memories for Marlys and her family. It was where she met her future husband, Dennis. Marlys graduated from Cokato High School in 1950.

Marlys married Dennis Ortquist on January 13th, 1952. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage together (62 of them spent in the same house) and had 8 children, 25 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren.

Marlys loved her community and volunteered her time with the Cokato Nursing Home, Meals on Wheels, the American Legion, Eastern Star, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was an active member of her church and enjoyed being able to give back to her church family. She was employed by 3M for 25 years, but the title she cherished the most was Mom. She loved spending time with her family, whether that included shopping trips, coffee parties, or family trips to have countless laughs together. Holidays brought joy and memories for Marlys. Christmas held a special spot in her heart which she shared with her family.

Marlys Died peacefully on December 15th, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her children Rene Ortquist, Robin (Tim) Kelly, Rise (Ron) Beckman, Rori (Doug) Carlson, Ruthie (Ron) Klima, Reid (Cheryl) Ortquist, Rahn (Pamela) Ortquist, Raquel (Chad) Kirchoff, Blake (Nick) Mullen, 25 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren.

Marlys is preceded in death by her husband Dennis, parents (Henry and Helen,) brother Roger Salmela and baby boy Salmela, granddaughter Ria Beckman, great grandson Austin Carlen, and great granddaughter Nora Klima. Peace be to her memory.

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 20, 2024 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with visitation 1 hour prior to services at church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com