Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

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

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