Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

George Matthew Kivisto, age 88, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Cokato, Minnesota on September 21st, 2019.
George was born on June 20, 1931 in Calumet, Michigan to Sylvester and Aino Kivisto. He graduated from Calumet Public Schools, worked a few seasons in the copper mines and on the Great Lakes freighters, and then continued schooling through a tool-and-die working apprenticeship at Burroughs Corporation in the Detroit area.
He was joined in marriage to Mary Ann Raisanen on July 19, 1958. They lived in Detroit area until 1961, then moved to Cokato where he was employed by 3M Company in Hutchinson until his retirement in 1991. George and Mary Ann were blessed with eight children. They enjoyed family vacations, especially to the Copper Country in Michigan, and spent many of their retirement summers at their cabin at Hermits’ Cove on Lake Superior. George enjoyed hockey, hunting with his sons, fishing on the Lake Superior, traveling with Mary Ann, woodworking, and helping his family with their projects. He enjoyed following local youth in their sporting events and encouraging friends through his visits with them. He was a lifelong member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church and taught lessons of faith and kindness through his actions and words to all.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann. He is survived by his children Paul (Carolyn), Phil (Karen), Ann (Steve) Benda, Bruce (Kathleen), Brian (Anne), Martha (Glenn) Schmidt, Ruth, Teresa (Eric) Bekkala; 35 grandchildren; Naomi (Mark), Nels (Heidi), Kurt (Hayley), Travis (Ashley), Aaron (Elke), John (Sara), Jennifer (Andy), Bryce (Arianna), Mark (Coralie), Jill (Max), Chad (Emma), Kristine (Brent), Logan (Linnea), Eric, Todd (Kate), Tom, Caroline, Sarah, Laura, Bobbie Jo, Dean, Morgan, Emily, Benjamin, Torie, Corey, David, Anna, Kara, Mary Beth, Amy, Jonathan, Nathan, Jaedyn, Katelyn. 37 great-grandchildren; sister Martha Kempeinen; sister-in-law Dorothy Raisanen; and many friends near and far.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters Toivo, Hilja, Ellen, Arthur, Aileen, Clara, Elma, and Raymond; numerous brothers and sisters in-law.
George was blessed to live an active, joy-filled life surrounded by family and friends. He was well loved and he loved well.
Visitation on Tuesday, September 24th 4-8 PM and 1 hour prior to service on Wednesday. Funeral service on Wednesday, September 25th 11 AM. Both at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church, Dassel. Interment at Riverside Cemetery in French Lake following the service. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home. Cokato 320-286-2534.

Harvey Eldon Grangroth, age 87 of Cokato, passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Cokato Manor. He was born November 21, 1931 at home in Waverly, MN to Herman and Alina (Davo) Grangroth. Harvey was baptized and confirmed at the First Apostolic Church of Cokato.
He attended McKinley Country School in Waverly, MN until 1945. On June 6, 1953, he was united in marriage to Verna Arvola at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Sebeka. This union was blessed with 13 children. They made their home farming in Waverly, MN until 1961, when they moved to Cokato. They continued to farm until they moved to town in 2003.
Harvey loved spending time with his family, and baking apple pies and cinnamon rolls, canning and selling at the farmers market. Faith being very important to Harvey, he was a current active member of the Cokato First Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Harvey is survived by his children, Rebecca Grangroth, Deborah (Robert) Lasanen, Paul (Peggy) Grangroth, Bonita (Charles) Nikula, Diana Grangroth, Julia Grangroth, Timothy (Linda) Grangroth, Theodore Grangroth, Ann (David) Jones, Maria (Daryl) Martin, Wayne (Karen) Grangroth, Steven (Jodi) Grangroth, and Suzanne Bourque, foster nephew, Richard (Dorene) North, 63 grandchildren, 74 great-grandchildren, siblings, Robert (Luella) Grangroth, Eva Wuollet.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife, Verna, sisters, Hazel Epple, Helen Peterson, Anna Bohjanen, and Bernice North, brothers, Howard and Harry Grangroth, grandson, Trent Grangroth, and great-grandson, Danny Lasanen.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 14, 2019 with visitation on Friday, September 13, 2019 from 5-8 PM and continuing 1 hour prior to the service on Saturday, all at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church (74537 240th St, Dassel, MN 55325). Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534

Jeffrey Lynn Mashburn of Hutchinson passed away at North Memorial Hospital of Robbinsdale, Minnesota on September 7, 2019.
Memorial Service: 2 PM Friday, September 13, 2019 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato.
Visitation: 4-8 PM Thursday, September 12, 2019 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato
Interment: Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
Jeffrey Lynn Mashburn was born December 12, 1965, in Litchfield, Minnesota to Bobbie Lee and Shirley (Anderson) Mashburn. Jeff was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato. As the son of a career Air Force veteran, Jeff had the opportunity to travel, living in Colorado, England, Germany, New York, Alabama, and Colorado (again), before finally moving back to Cokato.

As a result of this, Jeff went to several schools before attending and graduating from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1983. While in high school, Jeff enjoyed participating on the tennis and speech teams, writing for the school newspaper, and performing in school plays. Jeff also had an interest in photography.

Following high school, Jeff attended St. Cloud State University for a year. After that, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Manitowoc for four years. During this time, Jeff met and married Cindy Applegate.

After leaving the Navy, the couple made their home in Voorhees, New Jersey. Soon after, a son Charles Jeffrey (CJ) was born. Jeff enjoyed spending time with CJ, volunteering with the Cub Scouts, fishing from ocean beaches and piers, and building models.

Jeff was primarily employed as a mortgage loan officer for several companies. Jeff enjoyed reading and writing poetry, working on puzzles, and cooking – often experimenting and perfecting his recipes. Jeff was also very fond of dogs.

Jeff passed away at North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota on September 7, 2019. He was 53 years old.

Jeff is survived by his son, CJ of Voorhees, New Jersey; his mother, Shirley of Cokato; brothers, Jason of Hutchinson and Jared of St. Cloud; his step mother, Elizabeth (Betty) of Prattville, Alabama; ex-wife Cindy of Voorhees, New Jersey; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Bobbie; maternal grandparents: Vernon and Eleanor, and paternal grandparents: Arthur and Georgia.

Richard Breeschoten age, 67, of Cokato, passed away at North Memorial Hospital on August 31.
He was born on Oct. 9, 1951, in Buffalo, to Henry and Fanny (Plaggerman) Breeschoten. Richard belonged to the First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake.
Richard lived by Howard Lake for many years in the country. Later in life he moved to Cokato, and lived in the AME Community Group Home in Cokato. Richard worked at Functional Industries for many years.
Richard loved the Minnesota Twins, and was excited to go see them play especially at Spring Training Camp in Florida. He enjoyed going to the Wright County Fair and the Minnesota State Fair. Richard ‘s favorite was the Cokato Corn Carnival. He was unable to attend the carnival this year because of his health. He really thought he was missing out on all the fun . Also, he loved going to the Wisconsin Dells. Richard enjoyed listening to weather forecasts remarking, “Winter is over,” laughing loudly. Richard especially liked mowing lawn and shoveling snow. He was a farm boy at heart, loving farm tractors, machinery and gardening.
Richard really loved his family. He is survived by his sister, Yvonne Breeschoten of Maple Plain, brother, Harlan (Susan) and nephew, Eric (Carla) Breeschoten Buffalo, and grand-nieces Emma and Ella Breeschoten Buffalo MN.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Sharon.
A funeral service will take place at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 6, 2019 with visitation starting at 12:30 at the First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake. Interment will follow a luncheon at Lake View Cemetery, Silver Creek Twp., Maple Lake , MN. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401

Roger passed away at Cokato Manor on August 31, 2019
Memorial Service: 11 AM Friday, September 6, 2019 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato.
Visitation: 1 hour prior to service at Church on Friday
Interment: French Lake Mission Cemetery, Kingston Township, Minnesota
Roger Henry Salmela was born on December 29, 1929 to Henry and Helen (Anderson) Salmela in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in Robbinsdale, and in 1944 the family moved to Cokato where his parents purchased the Cokato Bakery. Roger graduated from Cokato High School in 1947.

After high school, Roger joined the United States Navy. He served at the Great States Navy Station in Illinois. After service he attended the University of Minnesota, earning BA and MA degrees. After college he taught, first at Benson High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and then Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska. In the late 70s, Roger joined the Peace Corps during which he spent time in Thailand.

Roger enjoyed many sports; in his younger days he played baseball and softball. He was an avid golfer. He enjoyed cars, talking politics, and was a good piano player. He enjoyed travel, especially going to Florida and wintering in Palm Springs. He took very good care of his mother Helen once his father Henry passed away.

Roger passed away at Cokato Manor on August 31, 2019. He had reached the age of 89 years, 7 months, and 2 days.

Survivors include: son Kirk (Debbie) Salmela of Ft. Collins, Colorado; their children and grandchildren, Chase (Megan) Salmela, Parker, and Murphy, of Mattoon, Illinois; Sophia (Collin) Powell, Briar, Blaine, and Genevieve, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Ian (Ashley) Salmela, Savannah, and Hudson, of Firestone, Colorado; and Mitchell Salmela of Ft. Collins, Colorado.

He is further survived by his sister and her family: Marlys Ortquist of Cokato; her children, Rene Ortquist, Robin (Tim) Kelly, Rise (Ron) Beckman, Rori (Doug) Carlson, Ruthie (Ron) Klima, Reid (Cheryl) Ortquist, Rahn (Pamela) Ortquist, Raquel (Chad) Kirchoff, and Blake Ortquist; 26 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Helen Salmela, an infant brother, and brother-in-law Dennis Ortquist.