Toby Alan Kotila was born in Buffalo Minnesota on June 24, 1955 to Reino and Dorothy (Nicka) Kotila. He attended school in Minneapolis, New Jersey and Cokato. He was in the first graduating class at Dassel Cokato in 1973. He went on to Hutchinson Vocational School for Diesel Mechanics and worked as a forklift mechanic most of his working years. He loved working on and operating machinery and tractors. His favorite day was one spent on a tractor, whether mowing paths through the woods or plowing snow.
Toby loved his family and enjoyed watching his nieces and nephews grow up. He loved spending time at the hunting shack up north. Some of his favorite memories were of time spent there with his dad, uncles, brothers, nephews, cousins and other family members.
Toby retired in 2018 and was ready to enjoy retirement when he was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer. He fought the hard fight with as much Finn sisu as anyone. He passed away on February 8, 2026 at the Dassel Lakeside Nursing Home.
Toby was preceded in death by his dad, Reino Kotila, his brother-in-law Steve Johnson, his grandparents, many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Toby will be sorely missed by his mom Dorothy of Cokato; his siblings Janet Johnson of Spring Lake Park, Jim (Jean) of Cokato, Peter (Tami) of Two Harbors, Mike (Brenda) of Dassel and Cape Coral, Florida, Lori (Brad) Komperud of Rosemount, Linda Kotila of Cokato, and Tim Kotila of Williams; 13 nieces and nephews; 15 great nieces and nephews; and many more family and friends.
Funeral service will be held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato on February 16th at 11am with visitation one hour prior. Arrangements by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, Minnesota 320 286 2534 swansonpeterson.com.
Feb
10