Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

If Grandpa can’t fix it, no one can. That pretty much sums up Rodney Jones.
Most recently, he enjoyed vanilla ice cream, sitting in his recliner and watching Andy Griffith or American Pickers while eating Diane’s cookies.
He was happily retired, liked to watch birds from the back porch, picking up sticks in the yard and working on his new old car.
His midlife consisted of working as a truck driver at Millerbernd’s and prior to that at Quast Transfer, both in Winsted. It also consisted of making sure no children put fingerprints on his vehicles. He didn’t drive them in the rain and definitely not in the snow.
His younger years consisted of farming, the National Guard Reserves, snowmobiling, wrecking cars and working hard.
He was a member of the Howard Lake Legion and St James Lutheran Church.
He was born at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis on May 15, 1951. He lived his life north of Howard Lake. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bonnie Jones. His children Nicole (David) Keskey, Ryan Jones and Crystal Jones. His grandchildren Cody Jones, Jade Jones, Ashley (Aidan) Toivola, Abigail Jones, Courtney (Dan) Nielsen, and Morgan Keskey. His great grandchildren Jackon Edwards and David Nielsen.
He was preceded in death by his parents George and Dorothy Jones, his mother-in-law Irene Gatz, and other family and friends.
To honor his memory, we are holding a memorial service at St James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­11 am, visitation starting at 10am. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Howard Lake Legion on May 11, 2024 from noon-2pm.
Now that his work on earth is complete, may his soul rest in peace.

Clara F.A. (Kemppainen) Nevala, 94, of Cokato, MN, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Clara was born on September 7, 1929, on the family farm in Pelkie, MI, to Antti and Anna (Tervonen) Kemppainen.
Clara attended a one-room school and graduated at the age of 16. After graduating, she worked on the farm for a few years, helping her mother who struggled with health difficulties. She briefly moved to Detroit before settling in Minneapolis, where she lived for many years with her close friend Anni Korpela. She was employed as a bookkeeper until her retirement in the early 1990s.
Clara was especially dear to her niece Marilee (married to Dan Wuollet), who once said “Clara was like a mother to me.” Clara called Marilee nearly every day on her lunch break. For the rest of the Wuollet family, Clara was a grandmotherly figure, celebrating holidays and birthdays with them. She was a regular, and sometimes formidable, presence in their home. She was particularly close to her great-nephew Paul Wuollet, who was severely disabled, and would sit with him, holding hands and singing.
Clara was a precious sister in faith to her church family as well. She endeavored in living faith to the end and wasn’t shy to share the gospel message with others. She faithfully served God’s kingdom for decades as a Finnish-English language interpreter, translating writings as well as sermons. She was a gifted vocalist, singing at many weddings and other occasions. She loved music and was inspired to write songs and translated several hymns into English. Her faith was her treasure.
On October 27, 1996, at the age of 67, she was united in marriage to Paul Nevala. Clara relished her new family and was delighted to have many stepchildren and step-grandchildren. The Nevala family lovingly welcomed her, thankful that their father, Paul, would have a companion and helpmate in faith. Clara and Paul moved to Brainerd in the fall of 1997 and lived there for many years. They enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends until Paul’s health began to fail. The family cared for them when they moved back to Cokato to live in assisted living apartments and eventually the Cokato Manor nursing home, and continued to care for Clara after Paul’s death in 2019.
Clara was preceded in death by her husband of 22 years, Paul; parents Antti and Anna; sisters Martha Jurmu and Dorothy Pelto; and brothers Fred (infant), Waino, Uno, Donald, Ralph, Hugo and Harold. Surviving are dozens of nieces & nephews, great-nieces & great-nephews, stepchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place on Monday, April 1, at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church from 4-8PM with a prayer service at 7PM.
Funeral services for Clara will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, April 2, at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church, with visitation for one hour before the service. Interment will be at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

James Arthur Tesch, died of natural causes on March 19, 2024, at The Estates of Delano. He was born February 9, 1928 in Mayer, MN. He was the son of Carl and Florence (Gongol) Tesch.

James graduated from Watertown Mayer High School, was joined in marriage with Marjorie Madson on March 14, 1954. Together they had three children. They began their married life in Mayer, MN and later relocated to Howard Lake and built a home. James was employed by Oak Grove as the Milk Man and worked until his retirement delivering milk to families and local businesses. After retirement at the age of sixty-five, James and Marge traveled, they spent time in Arizona during the winter months and visited family and friends. James’ hobbies included watching sports, raising pigeons, and gardening. He especially loved talking about the Vikings and was a loyal fan until the end. He had a love for gospel music & was a proud member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake, MN.

In addition to his parents and wife, Marjorie, he is preceded in death by his grandson-in law, Aaron Broughton, and siblings; Grace (Tesch) Westlund, Lloyd Tesch, Lowell Tesch, Jane (Tesch) Olson, Phyllis (Tesch) Bjork, Gerald Tesch and Fred (Carl) Tesch. He is survived by; son Douglas James Tesch of Howard Lake, MN, daughter Jeanne Theobald and husband Gary of Fairmont MN, and youngest son Brian Tesch and wife Sheri of Buffalo, MN; grandchildren Stacie and Jason Nardella of Minneapolis, MN, Stephanie Broughton Burkman and husband James Burkman and their 4 children Sylvie Broughton, Ladd Broughton, Blair Burkman and Eliza Burkman; grandson Nathan Tesch of Duluth, MN and granddaughter Courtney Tesch of Buffalo; sister’s Iila (Tesch) Nelson, Elaine (Tesch) Nelson, Carol (Tesch) Schuette and Robert (Bob) Tesch.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Visitation one hour prior to service. A private family burial will be held at a later time.

Tishie Stormes was born on May 16, 1945 in Vicco, Kentucky and passed away on March 1, 2024 in Howard Lake, MN.
Tishie is preceded in death by her husband, Gary Stormes, parents Carl and Pearl Spencer, brothers: Ray, Ralph, Eugene, and Herchel and sisters: Thelma and Effie.
Tishie leaves behind her children, Mary (Wayne) Doering, Adriene (Jon) Pierce, John (Donna) Bodenhamer and Christopher (Rachel) Denton and grandchildren Jessica Keating, Josh Doering, Nicole Anderla, Janasia Ramling, Jon Pierce, John Bodenhamer, Josiah Bodenhamer, Coy Denton and Clayton Denton as well as 12 great-grandchildren.
There will be a private family memorial Service at a later date.
Arrangements were handled by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home & cremation services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN. www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Marcella Hallberg went to her heavenly home February 28, 2024, while at Cokato Manor in Cokato, Minnesota.

Estella Jane Marcella Wuollet Hallberg was born at home in Dassel, MN to Harry and Estella (Lofback) on March 16, 1927.

Her and her siblings helped their dad work on the farm and raise the family after the death of their mother during childbirth.

It was while working at General Mills in Minneapolis that she met, and later married Donald Martin Hallberg on January 15,1949.

Marcella and Donald lived in Northeast Minneapolis and raised their family until Donald’s retirement in 1988. After his retirement, they moved to Dassel and Marcella was glad to be back out in the country near her relatives and childhood friends.

Marcella felt the most important decision she made was when she decided to follow Jesus and accept Him as her Lord and Savior in March of 1955. She was not ashamed of the Gospel and she wasn’t afraid to tell you what she thought! She loved going to Church and learning more about Jesus.

Marcella is survived by her daughter Gwen (Joe) Kelly and their children Jake (Melissa Stang), Alicia, Becky and John. Her son Greg (Diane) Hallberg and their children Tamara (Jake) Hills, Emily, Eva, Mason; Kyle (Brooke) Hallberg, Clara, Henry, Loretta, Arlo; Vanessa (Matt) Tegland, Makenzie, Daniel, Nathan, Bryan; Troy Hallberg, Marybeth Hallberg. Her sister Mildred Mattila, sisters in law Dorothy Wuollet and Eva Wuollet. Many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Donald; parents Harry and Estella; sisters Marian, Myrtle, Elaine, and Janet; brothers Melvin, Harry Jr., Stanley, Donald, Duane, and five infant siblings.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Cokato, MN with visitation one hour prior to service.