Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Karen Roepke was born on November 13, 1949 to Ray and Pearl Reyo. She graduated from Gibbon High School in 1967 and married Loren Roepke from Hutchinson on April 27, 1968 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon, MN. After completing Beauty School in Willmar, MN, she worked as a cosmetologist, initially in Glencoe, later in Hutchinson, and eventually at Broadway Hair Fashions in Cokato. Karen was an artist with many talents. She sewed (all of her young children’s clothes, matching family outfits, prom dresses, special occasion dresses, curtains). She especially liked to make costumes for Halloween and special occasions. (She loved dressing up as Mrs. Claus at Christmas time!) She and her husband, Loren, restored the interiors and exteriors of more than a dozen antique vehicles. She did glass etching, needle point, Brazilian Embroidery, quilting, crochet, knitting, and macramé. She did the flower arrangements for several weddings. She painted an extensive collection of ceramics, including a 20-piece nativity set. She gardened and canned. She loved antiques. Things had to be old and beautiful in order to get into the house, and she was a master of making something out of nothing. She collected enough Victorian Christmas ornaments to have her own tree in the dining room during the holidays. (Loren had his tree in the living room.) Participating in The Butterfield Threshing Bee and local parades with the 1937 Ford Truck and the Fernando Dutchmen (polka band) were happy summer rituals. She was a math wizard, and an excellent math teacher. A few of her other favorite things were the Sound of Music, Bing Crosby, peonies, animals (especially kitties), pretty dishes (especially the china set Loren brought back to her from Vietnam), 50′s rock music, bluegrass, and being a mom to her own kids as well as an extra mom to her kids’ friends–who were always welcome in her home. She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Deb Roepke (John, Sophia and Charissa Nelson), Rob Roepke, and Michele (Roepke) Skoog (Cory, Emma and Greta).
Karen passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 25. She was 74 years old.

A funeral service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, MN on Saturday, June 1. There will be a visitation at 10 and a service at 11 with a light lunch to follow. Interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. All are welcome.

David Lewis Barber
December 24, 1937 – April 29, 2024

Beloved husband, father and grandfather.

David is survived by wife Judy, sons Jeff (Wayne) and Tim (Kristel) and daughters Jamie and Tammy, 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Marion Z. Perry (nee Gieske), age 94, of Howard Lake passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, May 10th, 2024.

She was born on November 18, 1929 in Northrop, MN – the daughter of Henry and Mabel (Lidke) Gieske. Marion graduated from Fairmont High School in Fairmont, MN in 1947.

On July 11, 1952, Clayton M. Perry and Marion Z. Perry were joined in holy marriage. God blessed their marriage with two children – twin boys David and Douglas.

Marion formerly worked for the Howard Lake Waverly Public Schools as an elementary school secretary for many years. She enjoyed working with children and teachers alike. She was also employed in Banking for many years in Minnesota and Arizona.

Upon retirement, Marion enjoyed her flower gardens and the Red Hats Club. She got much joy in life from her grandchildren – taking them to the County Fair and garage sales, reading books, picking flowers and playing ball in the back yard. She also enjoyed traveling and had trips with her family to Florida, Hawaii and Costa Rica.

Marion is survived by her children David (Janet) Perry, Douglas (Cory Graeser), four grandchildren – Megan Perry, Ryan (Rachel Brown) Perry, Jacob Perry, Justin (Katherine) Perry and three great grandchildren – Barrett Brown, Brynlee Brown and Millie Perry.

Preceded in death by her parents, two sisters (Della Borkenhagen & Deloris Kaphings) by two brothers (Orville & Harold Gieske) and her husband of 48 years – Clayton Perry.

A funeral service for Marion Z. Perry will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Mount Hermon Lutheran Church in Annandale, MN. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service. Pastor Paul Bravinder will be the Celebrant. A private Inurnment will be held at Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont, MN following the funeral service.

Urn Bearer will be Megan Perry. Honorary Urn Bearers will be Ryan Perry, Jacob Perry and Justin Perry.
The Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake is serving the family.

Dale Loren Jorgenson
August 15, 1942 – April 30, 2024

Dale Loren Jorgenson was born on August 15, 1942 and baptized on September 26, 1942. He confirmed his baptism on April 14, 1957 at Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church.
Dale passed away at the Litchfield hospital on April 30, 2024 at the age of 81.
Dale grew up on a farm in Albion Township until the family moved to a home north of Cokato in the fall of 1959. He lived there until his passing.
Dale began his schooling in 1948 at Camp Lake School in Albion Township with 6 classmates. They all started school in Annandale as 6th graders in 1953. He graduated from Annandale High School in 1960. Dale was a part-time farmer; hauled milk for Albion Center Creamery; drove school bus and sold milking equipment for DeLaval Sales. He worked at Washington Scientific for 35 years and then at DeZurik in Sartell for 6 years.
Dale retired in the fall of 2006. He enjoyed collecting precision toy tractors and after his retirement he kept busy checking out the coffee shops in South Haven, Annandale, Cokato, and French Lake. He will be remembered for his capacity as a great debater and his commitment to his values.
Dale was a longtime member of Mt. Hermon Lutheran church. He attended faithfully in person and in spirit when his health wouldn’t allow him to attend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Dell Jorgenson; and brother, John Jorgenson.
Dale is survived by his sister-in-law Lorraine Jorgenson, nephews, Dr. Joel Jorgenson (Cristiane) and Michael (Debra), their children Erin and Krista, and other family, friends, and loved ones.

Visitation
Monday, May 6, 2024
10:00 AM
Stockholm Lutheran Church
16133 County Rd 30 SW, Cokato, MN 55321

Memorial Service
Monday, May 6, 2024
11:00 AM
Stockholm Lutheran Church
16133 County Rd 30 SW, Cokato, MN 55321

Rebecca “Becky” Jean Rasmussen (Skjei) was born on December 21, 1946, to Olai “Bob” and Blossom Skjei. She died on April 24, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family in Alexandria, MN.
Becky was born in Minneapolis, but she considered Madison, MN, her hometown. In Madison, she grew up, accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior at age 12 while at Bible camp, and later graduated from Madison High School in 1964. Because of the overwhelming kindness, empathy, and selflessness she exuded each day, (something that would continue her entire life) she was voted Homecoming Queen.
After graduation, Becky attended and graduated from University of Minnesota Morris with a degree in Elementary Education. At UMM, she was voted Snow Festival Queen and, most importantly, she met Dennis Rasmussen while there. The two were married in 1968 and moved to Peshtigo, WI where Becky earned her first teaching position in Marinette.
In 1971, Becky and Dennis moved to Little Falls, MN where they welcomed their three children. Jeff was born in 1972, followed by their daughters, Janelle, in 1974, and Heather, in 1978. They moved their family in 1979 to Alexandria where Becky continued her walk with the Lord by serving others for the rest of her life.
While in Alexandria, Becky worked for E. Arthur Brown Company as an Office Manager, a Home Health Aide, a tutor, and a volunteer. Most importantly, she spent her time as an amazing mother to her three kids. Becky again won Queen in 1985 – Best Mom of All Time – as voted on by her children.
Passionate about her faith, Becky and Dennis joined Alexandria Christian Church (later became New Life Christian Church) shortly after their move. Becky loved her time within the church community. She dedicated her time to volunteering with a variety of church activities – Sunday school, choir, Bible studies, AWANA, and helping in any way she could.
Becky will most be remembered by those that knew her as an incredibly kind, selfless person whose smile and positivity lit up any room she walked into. She will be greatly missed.
Becky was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Blossom (Lindseth) Skjei and her brother Craig Skjei. Becky is survived by her loving husband Dennis, her children, Jeff (Carrie) Rasmussen, Janelle (Fiancée Jake Hoffman) Uecker, Heather (Paul) Fernholz, her grandchildren, Madeline, Emma, Matthew, Anna, Alea, Hailey, Hannah, Katelyn, Albert, Isabelle, Caleb, Brock, Lucas, Macie, and numerous family and friends.
An informal gathering with be held at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake at 1:00 pm with viewing starting at 12:00pm on Saturday April 27, 2024, followed by internment at Howard Lake Cemetery.
A memorial service honoring Becky will be held on Saturday June 15, 2024 (also Dennis and Becky’s Anniversary) at New Life Christian Church in Alexandria, MN at 11:00 am.