Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Eliza (Mahlstedt) Haag was born December 2, 1921 in Albion Township, MN the daughter of Henry and Irene (Zander) Mahlstedt. She was baptized on January 15, 1922 at Bethlehem Evangelical Church in Maple Lake and confirmed there on August 25, 1935. Eliza was united in marriage to Ervin Haag on November 14, 1941 at Bethlehem Evangelical Church in Maple Lake. Their union was blessed with four daughters. Together they farmed and made their home in the country side of Howard Lake. Eliza was a homemaker and later began working with relatives in doing interior painting and varnishing. Later she joined St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. She served on the church Alter Guild and helped with quilting and assembly of the church newsletter. She also enjoyed flower gardening in her spare time.
On September 13, 2017 she became a resident of Good Samaritan Care Center in Howard Lake, where she resided until her death. On December 15, 2019 Eliza was called to her eternal rest at Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield.
Eliza was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin, her parents, siblings, grandson, Ricky Schmieg, and sons-in-law, Melvin Buttenhoff and Will Massingham.
She is survived by her daughters, Beatrice Buttenhoff of Howard Lake, Evelyn (Dale) Schmieg of Howard Lake, Ruth Massingham of Litchfield, and Karen (Merlyn) Schmieg of Howard Lake, 11 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Reverend Mark Loder will officiate; organist will be Mrs. Nancy Butterfass, and soloist, Dr. Deb Peterson of Litchfield. Internment at Howard Lake Cemetery, and casket bearers: Daryl Buttenhoff, Grant Bowman, Mike Massingham, Brian Massingham, Jason Schmieg, and Dan Schmieg. Visitation from 4-8 PM on Tuesday December 17, 2019 with 7 PM prayer at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Theodore Eugene Umhoefer III of Buffalo, MN passed away on December 8, 2019, surrounded by loving family and friends. A 1968 graduate of Perham high school, a graduate of U of MN Morris, and the U of MN Masters program, Ted was proud of his career at the Federal Reserve where he was a visionary and pioneer in electronic banking. Ted is preceded in death by his father, Theodore Eugene Umhoefer II, and his mother, Bonnie Umhoefer, and is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan Umhoefer; children, Anne (Gabe Turner) Umhoefer, Kevin (Holly) Umhoefer, and Katie Umhoefer; grandchildren, Henry Umhoefer and Will Umhoefer; sister, Pat (Tim) Asche; and many nieces and nephews. Ted enjoyed serving on the United Bankers Bank board of directors and had a sense of community with his church. Ted especially enjoyed spending time with his family at the cabin and playing card games with his grandsons; his fondest memories were of these idyllic times spent at Little Pine Lake. He was a loving presence in the lives of many and he will be dearly missed.

Memorial Service: 11 AM Saturday, December 14, 2019 at New Life Assembly of God Church, Cokato, Minnesota
Visitation: 1 hr. prior to service at church.

Johnson, Dennis Carlyle
age 83, of Sauk Centre passed away November 30, 2019. He was born March 2, 1936 in Donnelly, MN to Peter and Freda (Gulbranson) Johnson. Dennis spent his early years farming at home in Morris, MN where he loved his horse, Amigo. He was the first student to attend the University of Minnesota – Morris. Dennis loved country music and would play his guitar entertaining the seniors. He was a postal worker until age 55, when he began enjoying his retirement, spending 15 years in Arizona.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mona (Hessel), step-son, Benny Gitchel, and brothers, Rolland (Evelyn) Johnson and Marvin (Lillian) Johnson.
He is survived by his children, Terrance (Jonell) Johnson, Sheila (James) Robideau, LaRae (Roy) Zeithamer, and Audra Johnson, special bond, JoAnn (Todd) Johnson, special bond, Kristy Johnson, step-children, Chris Stoddard and William Gitchel, grandchildren, Tera Epperly, Stephanie Hiltner, Lauren Johnson, and Connor Johnson, step-grandchildren, Andrew Miller, Tony Winston, Jordan Winston, Nicholas Stoddard, Mike Krueger, and great-grandchildren, Trisitin Davidson, Briana Epperly, and Hanna Berens.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 with visitation 1 hour prior to services at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Muriel Joyce Mattson of Howard Lake passed away at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Center on November 27, 2019
Memorial Service: 2PM Saturday, December 7, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake
Visitation; 4-8 PM Friday December 6, 2019 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, and 1hr prior to service at church on Saturday
Prayer Service 6:30 Friday evening
Interment: Swedesburg Lutheran Cemetery, Waverly Minnesota
Muriel Joyce Mattson, was born on December 3, 1932 in Howard Lake, Minnesota to, Louis and Esther (Streich) Birkholz. She grew up in Howard Lake, Minnesota; was baptized and confirmed at the St. James Lutheran church. She graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1950.
Muriel married Clayton Mattson on October 21, 1950, at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake. The couple made their home first at Dean Lake, then to the farm North of Howard Lake. Together they operated a dairy farm and raised beef. In 1958 they started Mattson Well Company.
Muriel enjoyed sewing, golf, going to casino, and dancing. She was an active member at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake.
Muriel passed away on November 27, 2019, at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Center. She had reached the age of 86 years, 11 months and 24 days.
Survivors include her children; Nola (Loyal) Staskivige of Loretto, Deborah Herbst of Delano, Kurt Mattson of Howard Lake and Kent Mattson of Howard Lake. Grand Children; David Nettleton, Jason Herbst, Stephanie Schumann, Nathan Mattson, Forrest Mattson, and Amber Mattson Gruba. Great Grand Children: Brandon Nettleton, Clark Herbst, one on the way, Ethan Ragan, Dylan Mattson, Kane Koerner, Alexa and Kasja Schumann, Skylor and Devin Gruba. She is also survived by her sister Lavonne Stueven of Waconia.
Muriel was preceded in death by: her parents Louis and Esther Birkholz, Husband Clayton, son John and Brother Ken Birkholz.

Everrett William Smith passed away on November 26, 2019 at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Center.
On Easter Sunday morning, April 16, 1933, Everrett William Smith was born to Arthur and Caroline (Hempel) Smith at the family farm in Middleville Township, west of Howard Lake.

Everrett attended Howard Lake elementary and high school, graduating in 1951. After high school he farmed with his father until entering the US Army in 1955, serving 16 months in Korea. After discharge Everrett worked at 3M in Hutchinson until returning to the farm full time in 1958. He later attended Ag Management classes under the GI bill and served on the local school board.

Everrett married Elaine Frank on June 28, 1957. Together they raised three children, farmed, and had a business producing and retailing eggs for many years. Everrett became a substitute rural mail carrier in 1982. This turned into a full-time carrier job, in 1989. At that time the livestock was sold, but Everrett and his family continued to farm the land. After retirement from the post office his son, Larry, took over operating the farm. Everrett continued to help on the farm, delivered meals on wheels, and became a part of the sing-a-long group at the care center. Everrett looked forward to Tuesday mornings at 10:30, when it was time to sing!

Several winters were spent at Roadhaven Resort in Apache Junction, AZ. Everrett was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake, serving as an elder and trustee at various times. He also served as treasurer of Middleville Township for 31 years. Everrett remained on the farm until September of 2018 when he entered Good Samaritan care center in Howard Lake.

Everrett was a man of deep faith and was always there for his children and grandchildren. He was a devoted member of the community and enjoyed working on his farm.

Everrett is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elaine, and his children, Larry (Laurie) Smith, Jeanne (David) Mages, and Debbie (David) Honebrink. Everrett is also survived by seven grandchildren, Ryan Smith, Kyle (Alicia) Smith, Chelsea (David) Buttenhoff, Trevor (fiancé Catheryn Barth) Mages, Cassie Mages, Danny Mages, and Jason Honebrink. Everrett was also a great grandpa to Malachi and Levi Smith, and has one great grandchild due in February. He is survived by sister, Helen Zander, and brother, Dale (Carol) Smith. Everrett was predeceased by his parents, his stepmother, Margueritte, and his sister Dorothy Janneke, as well as sisters and brothers in law.

Funeral service will be 11 AM Monday, December 2, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake, Pastor Carol Chmielewski officiating. Visitation: 4-7 Pm Sunday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake. Burial will be in Howard Lake Cemetery.