Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Joan Sharon Kottke, age 79 of Howard Lake, Minnesota, passed away November 13, 2021, at the Waconia Hospital. Joan was born September 13, 1942, to Melvin and Ardis (Krone) Kottke in Buffalo, MN.

Joan attended grade school in Hanover, MN and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1960. During her school days she competed in the state current events contest at the MN State Fair and participated in the marching band. She started working for JCPenney after high school and fondly talked about her job duties and the friends she made while at the company. Joan found her way to the Delano School District for over 30 years. Joan worked as an aide in the elementary school watching over recesses, helping in the lunchroom, printing, cutting and making packets for the teachers to use in their classrooms. Joan enjoyed her summers off as it enabled her to work at the Wright County Fair taking tickets for the grandstand events.

Joan’s true passion was teaching children and she accomplished this in many volunteer roles over the years. Joan was a club leader for many years first in Hanover with the Handy Dandy 4-H Club and later at the Sunrise 4-H club in Howard Lake. She helped coach the 4-H softball team, direct the Share the Fun plays and would keep the 4-H food stand running as a shift manager. She also had the privilege to be a chaperone on many 4-H interstate exchange trips during her time volunteering with the Wright County 4-H program. Joan also found a calling as a Sunday School teacher first at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover, MN and later at St John’s Lutheran church in Howard Lake. Joan loved her time teaching children about Jesus and that included every child learning Jesus Loves Me while they were in her class. She truly loved helping with the Sunday school Christmas program and found great joy watching the children shine for Jesus.

Joan grew up on the family farm in Hanover, MN before moving with the family to a farm south of Howard Lake. Joan loved animals and was always talking about her Holstein cows, draft horses, cats and her special dog Buffy. Joan’s tasks on the farm were feeding the calves outside and throwing silage out the chute and when it was time for a break she would yodel a song, much to the enjoyment of her siblings who happen to be within earshot. She had many hobbies she enjoyed over the years… cooking, reading recipe books and newspapers, doing crossword puzzles, watching game shows and sporting events on TV, collecting snowmen and bells. Joan had a hidden talent for painting that was discovered during her time at the Cokato Manor. Joan was a kind and generous lady who always had a Hershey Bar waiting for her nieces and nephews to enjoy.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Ardis (Krone) Kottke, an infant brother and nephew Matthew Barthel.

She is survived by sisters and brothers Beverly (Murray) Reimer of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada; Meryl Kottke-Barthel of St Michael, Clair (Kenneth) Miatech of Plymouth, Kathleen Kottke of Howard Lake, Shirley (John) Erickson of Cokato, Marlin Kottke of Howard Lake, Marson Kottke of Howard Lake, Lorrie (Wayne) Kozitka of Howard Lake, Nancy (Lanny) Anderson of Randall and goddaughter Sally Joan Kottke of Howard Lake. Further survived by godchildren Carla Krone, Amy Kozitka, Nathan Miatech, Brandon Kottke and 17 nieces and nephews, 21 great-nieces and nephews, 4 aunts, 1 uncle and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 27, 2021 with visitation from 5-7 PM with 7 PM prayer on Friday, November 26, 2021 and continuing 1 hour prior to services on Saturday 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

Gene Tischleder of Cokato passed away at the Cokato Manor on November 19, 2021
Funeral Service: 2PM Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato
Visitation: 1 hour prior to service on Tuesday
Interment Cokato City Cemetery

Live Stream Link:
stockholmlutheran.org

Hazel Eleanor Holm Dahlman was born August 2, 1927, at her home in Collinwood Township, rural Dassel to Anton and Alice (Skarin) Holm. She was also baptized at home by the Rev. Swan Johnson with her uncle and aunt, Emil and Ida Larson, as godparents. She was confirmed at Stockholm Lutheran Church in June of 1941 by Rev. Gotfrid Carlson. Hazel attended Steelsville Country School until graduating from eighth grade. Hazel did very well in school, even skipping second grade and placing second place in the county spelling bee two years in a row. She graduated from Dassel High School on June 1, 1944. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis and worked at Sears for about four years, until she “started going steady with a certain Dassel farm boy,” Stanley Dahlman. They dated for a year and then were married on Tuesday, August 10, 1948 at Stockholm. They began married life on a farm in Collinwood Township, but they decided to make a big move and bought a farm north of Cokato in 1951. This is where they continued to grow their family and seed business. Even after the “big move,” Stanley and Hazel continued to attend Stockholm Lutheran Church and were active members for most of their lives. This church was central to her life. She participated in the church women’s groups and the Dorcas Bible Study unit. She made sure her children were active participants as well, which made for many trips between Cokato and Stockholm Townships. Along with church activities, Hazel enjoyed flower gardening, sewing, baking, Birthday Club and Lunch Bunch outings, and drinking coffee with all who showed up to her house for coffee time. The favorite baked goods included caramel rolls, rice pudding, and chocolate chip cookies. She was also interested in genealogy and loved everything Swedish–decor, the language, hymns, and food. Yes, this includes lutefisk! Hazel spent her last few years at Cokato Manor and was taken home to heaven on November 18, 2021. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; her parents; her brothers, Francis, Lars, and John; her sisters, Doris Rathman and Esther Turnquist; brothers-in-law, Harvey Dahlman and Jack Rathman; and sister-in-law, Jean Holm. She is survived by her nine children and their families: George (Janet), Steven (Helen), Susan (James) Vermilya, Karen (Jeff) Aslakson, Kevin (Nancy), Mark, Duane (Tammi), Craig (Lori), and Amy (Rick) Schultz; 18 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren. Other family members include Dorathee Holm, Louise (Dan) Swenson, Ruthie Dahlman, Rod Turnquist, and several nieces and nephews. Hazel loved the Lord and her family. Blessed be her memory.
Funeral Service: 10 AM Tuesday, November 23, 2021 At Stockholm Lutheran Church of Cokato
Visitation; 4-8 PM on Monday at the church and 1hr prior to service on Tuesday
Interment church cemetery

Myrtle Carolyn Keranen of Cokato, passed away at Cokato Manor on November 15, 2021 at the age of 84.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Saturday November 20. 2021, at First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Cokato.
Visitation: 4-8 PM Friday at First Apostolic Lutheran Church
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery
Myrtle Carolyn (Wuollet) Keranen was born on February 12, 1937 in Cokato, MN to Harry and Estella (Lofback) Wuollet. She grew up on a farm and attended Ojanpera Country School through eighth grade, then attended and graduated from Cokato High School in 1955. After graduating, Myrt took care of her dad and sister, Jan, until she married William Keranen on April 28th, 1962 at the Cokato First Apostolic Lutheran church. Early in their marriage Myrt and Bill lived in Minneapolis, and Austin, MN. In 1969 they moved to rural Cokato and lived there until Bill’s passing in 2007; she then moved to the city of Cokato where she resided until her death. Myrt was a life long member of the Cokato Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Myrt worked as a teacher’s aide for a while, and later worked as a nurse’s aide for a number of years; she also graciously fulfilled the duties of a pastor’s wife for almost 30 years. Myrt loved to sing, play the piano and organ, and was an organist at her church. She also loved to bake, and to serve food and coffee lunch to her guests. Myrt loved traveling throughout the states and abroad; her favorite trips and vacation time were spent in Michigan, at her and Bill’s cabin in Hermit’s Cove, on Lake Superior. Myrt was a caretaker at heart and looked after and advocated for her younger sister, Jan, all of her life. Children brought great joy to Myrt, and children loved her; at family gatherings Myrt was usually busy reading a book to a child; combing a child’s hair, or having her hair combed by a child; or holding a baby. She loved and spoiled her nieces and nephews, and her great nieces and nephews; they will dearly miss her.
Myrt is loved and survived by her sisters, Marcella Hallberg, and Mildred Mattilla; brother, Duane (Dick) Wuollet (Mary Ann); sister-in-laws, Dorothy Wuollet, and Eva Wuollet; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters in Faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; parents, Harry and Estella; sisters, Elaine, Janet, and Marian; brothers, Stanley, Melvin, Harry, and Donald; and five infant siblings.

Mattila, Duane “Duey” Vincent
age 39, of Litchfield passed away on November 10, 2021. He was born May 25, 1982 in Litchfield, MN to Phil and Caroline (Simonson) Mattila. He graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 2000. Duey enjoyed riding his Harley, hunting and fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wilfred and Lea Simonson and Jerald Mattila, sister, Jody Mattila, and brother, Benjamin Mattila.
He is survived by his grandmother, Mildred Mattila, parents, siblings, Lonny Mattila, Trever (Lissa) Mattila, Amanda (Shane) Kasper, Billy (Vicky) Mattila, special friend, Nicole and her children, Jackie, Ashley, and Emily, along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and a black lab, Leo.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church, with visitation 1 hour prior to services. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com