Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Ralph Clarence Lundeen of Cokato, Minnesota, passed away on November 29, 2020 at the age of 90 at his home in Cokato surrounded by the loving care of his family.

Ralph was born in Cokato on August 12, 1930, to Clarence and Margaret Lundeen. He was the eldest of four children. He attended school through eighth grade and then worked at the family farm.

Ralph served in Korea (1952-1954) in the 45th Division 180th Tank Co. He was a tank gunner at “Heartbreak Ridge” who made time to assist the chaplain, encouraging troops on the front line. Also during his time in Korea, he completed his GED. After the war, Ralph returned to Cokato and on August 26, 1955 married Margaret Ann (Peggy) Nyquist. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage, eight children, 17 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

In 1957 Ralph invested in a commercial sewing machine and started an upholstery business. He built his business by word of mouth and by going door to door from Delano to Litchfield, Annandale to Hutchinson. Soon Ralph started selling furniture and floor covering. Lundeen Furniture and Upholstery was an integral part of a thriving downtown business community in Cokato from the sixties through the eighties. He was involved in starting the Cokato Ambulance Service in 1977 and served as its first director.

Ralph was a longtime member of Elim Mission Church and served in many capacities throughout the years. He lived his life serving others. His many acts of love and kindness were often known only to those he served. Ralph numbered his days well serving God and others and had a heart of wisdom.

Ralph is survived by his wife Peggy; children Becky (Dan) Bravinder, Vicky (Paul) Neighbors, Randy (Phyllis) Lundeen, Patty (Spencer) Olson, Joel (Lisa Mae) Lundeen, Cheryl (Mike) Mabin, David Juntunen; grandchildren Derek Bravinder, Alicia Walkes, Andrea Wilson, Seth Bravinder, Jonathan Neighbors, Reid Neighbors, Emily Dresow, Anna Neighbors, Whitney Malovrh, Amanda Lundeen, Rebecca Lundeen, Alex Lundeen, Joshua Olson, Kassandra Shimotsu, Michael Lundeen, Brianna Lundeen, Remii Juntunen; and 24 great-grandchildren.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kenneth Lundeen, sisters Betty Dahlin, Kay Stenberg, and son Richard Lundeen.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Highland Community Church in Cokato, a live stream will be available.

Carollynn Montes De Oca, 69, of Dassel, passed away peacefully in her home on November 22, 2020 surrounded by loved ones.
She was born on March 21, 1951 to Clifford and RosaLee (Weller) Boeson in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Carollynn grew up in rural Howard Lake with one sister and seven brothers and graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1969.
Following graduation Carollynn went on to attend St. Cloud Beauty College. After raising her children, she then returned to school as a nontraditional student and obtained her degree in Artificial Intelligence from Hutchinson Technical College in 1992.
Carollynn drove a school bus for the Howard Lake Waverly Winsted school district for several years until her health issues forced her into an early retirement. She found great happiness in getting to know all of the children on her routes and watching them grow. This was by far her most rewarding profession.
Carollynn was a woman of many talents but was most known for her way around a kitchen. She enjoyed baking and preparing large meals to feed family and friends when they came to visit. She also enjoyed the outdoors, loved fishing, camping and gardening. Carollynn found great joy in quilting blankets and sewing little dolls for her loved ones.
Her greatest accomplishment has always been family. Carollynn not only grew up in a large family but was also blessed with six children of her own from her first marriage. She later married Justino Montes De Oca. Not only did her family grow but so did the size of her heart. She embraced the Mexican culture and loved them all as if they were her own.
Carollynn is preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and RosaLee Boeson, son Lucas Winters, granddaughter Angelica Kuffel, brothers Dale Boeson and Clifford Jr. (Sonny) Boeson.
Carollynn is survived by her husband Justino Montes De Oca and children Frances Winters, Elissa (Tony Declue) Winters, Amy (Ryan) Mathews, Wayne (Dyna) Winters, Andrew (Rachael) Winters, Froylan (Marisol Mendoza) Montes De Oca, Adrian Montes De Oca, Julian (Liliana Rodriguez) Montes De Oca, Patricia Montes De Oca, and Antonio (Gabriela Gonzalez) Montes De Oca.
She is further survived by her grandchildren Peter Jr. (Crystal) Prestidge, Christopher (ShayLyn) Prestidge, Ashley (Chris) Snyder, Breanna Kuffel, Heather Declue, Anthony Declue, Cassandra (Brennon) Morgan, Ethan French, Cody, Logan, Devan and Tanner Mathews, Morgana, Viola and Lucas Winters, Austin, Gracelyn and Charles Winters, Luis Montes De Oca, Allison, Juan Pablo and Cynthia Loza, and Pedro Montes De Oca.
Carollynn is also survived by 13 beautiful great-grandchildren, sister EllaMae (Lorezo) Posada, Louis (Bonnie) Boeson, Daniel (Jeanne) Boeson, Thomas (Jane) Boeson, Mark Boeson, and Donald (Sheryl) Boeson.
Always loved. Never forgotten. Forever missed.
A memorial celebration will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 27, 2020 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato with internment at Highland Cemetery, north of Howard Lake shortly after 1 PM. www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Carol Amundsen of Cokato, MN, age 75, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on November 20, 2020. She was born May 29, 1945 to Wilfred and Mary Kerber. She married Forrest “Butch” Amundsen on October 12, 1968. Carol worked for many years as a bank teller in Cokato where she enjoyed interacting with her regular customers and co-workers. In her spare time she enjoyed quilting, cross stitching, and baking. She was a devoted mother to her 3 children and a loving nana to her 8 grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Butch; sister Lynn Forcier; brother Tom Kerber; son Darren (Rachel) Amundsen; daughter Michelle Pariseau; and son Jeff (Niki) Amundsen. She was preceded in death by her parents. It was Carol’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Allina Hospice of Hutchinson. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Larry Merdell Engelstad, age 86, passed away on November 20th. He was born November 4, 1934, in Moorhead, MN to Lars and Synneva (Gunderson) Engelstad. He lived in Moorhead and then Ashby, MN. He graduated from Ashby High School in 1952. Larry joined the Navy serving from 1953-1957. After he got out of service he attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, graduating in 1961. After a year of graduate studies, he moved to Howard Lake, MN where he began teaching mathematics. He taught there for 30 years retiring in 1992.
On July 12, 1958, he married Ruth Ysteboe in Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Fargo. They have had 62 years together.
After retirement Larry & Ruth spent the winter months for two years exploring places in the south. They settled on Park Place Estates in Harlingen, Tx, and have spent 25 winters there.
Larry is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons Steve, Richard (Laura), Gary (Sherree) and Loren (Janel); grandchildren Kristen, Megan, Sara, Carson, Kayla, Ashley, Brandon & Jayden and several great-grandchildren and one brother, Robert.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Sidney & Gene) one sister (Doris) sister-in laws (Luverne, Gini, Alyce) and one brother-in–law (Russell Olsen).
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Military honors will immediately follow the service. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Roepke, Elaine Matilda
age 92, of Cokato passed away on November 17, 2020 at the Cokato Manor. She was born in Chaska, MN on June 16, 1928 to Henry and Lydia (Morchen) Schwalbe. Elaine worked on assembly at Tonka Toys and making watches at Nortronix in Dassel, MN. She was a farm wife to Ardell and had 6 children. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, fishing, camping, vacationing, playing cards and going to the casino. Later in life, she enjoyed activities at the manor, where she would volunteer.
Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ardell, children, Roger, Kenneth, and Diana.
Survived by her children, Sheldon Roepke, Allan (Mavis) Roepke, and Susan Zeidler, daughters in-law, Ethel and Shirley Roepke, along with several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534