Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Jenell (Nellie Jones) Amelia Johnson-Brule, 44, of Kilkenny, Minnesota. Passed away unexpectedly surrounded by her loved ones late Friday night, on May 10th, 2019. Nellie was born to Brad and JoAnn Johnson, on August 16th, 1974, in Devils Lake, North Dakota.

She enjoyed many activities and favorite hobbies including gardening, interior decorating, working on the farm, cooking, spending time down at the lake, and most importantly spending time with her three children, large family, and her loving fiancé.

Loved and survived by her oldest daughter Kelsey (Jacob) Johnson, son Jace Brule, and youngest daughter Jordynn Brule. Parents Brad and JoAnn Johnson, Siblings Bill (Marita) Scheer, Shelly (James) McCormick, John (Lana) Johnson, Richard (Julie) Valenzuela, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Jenell is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents John and Amelia LeNoir, Paternal Grandfather Ernst Johnson, youngest sister Monica Valenzuela, and nephew Baby Rich.

Services will be held May 31st, 2019 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake. Address to Swanson-Peterson 1224 6th street, Howard Lake, MN, 55349.
Visitation begins at 10:00am, the memorial service will start at 11:00am, a luncheon to follow.

Also a celebration of life will be held in Waterville, Saturday June 1st, at Bullheads Bar and Grill (256 W Main St E, Waterville, MN, 56096) at 4:00pm.

Diers, Harland John
age 82, of Paynesville passed away on April 28, 2019. He was born March 14, 1937 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Viola (Luedke) and Rueben Diers. On June 14, 1957 he was united in marriage to Caroline Blomker at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota. He was a truck driver for Supervalu and Local 120 Union for 33 years. Harland enjoyed fishing and hunting
Survived by his wife, Caroline, children, Kenneth (Oksanna) Diers, William (Kathy) Diers, Pamela (Byron) Hassell, James (Nancy) Diers, Candace (Keith) Bohlman, 13 Grandchildren, and 10 Great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his parents, and sister Margie Lemke.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, May 17, 2019 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake with visitation 1 hr prior to service at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Violet passed away at Cokato Manor on May 8, 2019
Funeral Service: 2 PM Monday, May 13, 2019 at Elim Mission Church, Cokato
Visitation: 5-7 PM Sunday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and 1hour prior to service at church on Monday
Interment: Cokato City Cemetery

Strandquist, Ruth Marian
age 100, of Cokato passed away on May 4, 2019 at the Cokato Manor. She was born March 9, 1919 in Helvetia, Minnesota to Reuben and Esther (Gongoll) Tesch. On October 12, 1940 she was united in marriage to Hubert Beckman in Watertown, Minnesota. This union was blessed with two children, David and Susan. In June of 1950, Ruth was united in marriage to George Strandquist in Watertown, Minnesota. This union was blessed with 3 children, Stephen, Janice and Robert.
Ruth was a long time active member of the New Life Assembly of God Church. She enjoyed gardening, baking, and travel. She was an exceptional hostess.
Survived by her children, Sue Mounkes of Durant, OK, Steve (Merijo) Strandquist of Mayer, MN, Jan (Marty) Clancy of Eagleville, TN, and Bob Strandquist of Waconia, MN, 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, son, David Beckman, and brothers, Waldo and Orlando Tesch.
A celebration of her life will be held at 3 PM on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at the New Life Assembly of God Church in Cokato with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

John Custer passed away at his home in Howard Lake on May 5, 2019
Memorial Service: 11 AM Friday May 17, 2019 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake
Visitation: begins 1 hr. prior to service at the Funeral Home
Interment Howard Lake Cemetery.

John Kenneth Custer was born in Howard Lake, Minnesota on Christmas Day of 1926, to James and Alice (Herbst) Custer. He grew up in a grocery store family. He graduated from Howard Lake High School, and soon after he was drafted into the United States Navy. He served in Pearl Harbor, where he developed a love for Hawaii.

After his military service, John attended and graduated from the Minnesota School of Business with a business degree. On July 5, 1953 he married Rachel Zimmerman. To this union a son, Mark, was born.

The Custers made their home in Howard Lake, where John was the owner of Custer’s Super Valu. John was very involved in the community: He was a member of the Howard Lake Fire Department for 29 years, and an active member of the Howard Lake Business Association. He served on the city council and was also the Mayor of Howard Lake. John was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He traveled the world with Rachel and wintered many years in Oahu. He loved his local Legion and playing pull tabs.

John passed away at his home in Howard Lake on May 5, 2019. He had reached the age of 92 years, 4 months, and 10 days.

Survivors include son Mark (Lori) Custer; granddaughters Christine (Chris) Fetterley, Amy (Michael) Noll, Beth (Andrei) Stolyarchuk, and Jill Custer; great-grandchildren Lily and Maddox Noll; and his large American Legion family.

John is preceded in death by his parents, James and Alice (Herbst) Custer and Alice (Dougherty) Custer, and his wife Rachel.