Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Alice Purtilo, 84, passed away peacefully at her home January 8, 2025, with her family present. She was born in Duluth, Minnesota, graduated from Alborn High School and started her great adventure when she married her husband Duane in 1959. The newlyweds moved to St. Paul, and began their joint venture at the University of Minnesota. While her husband studied Veterinary Medicine, Alice was the wind in his sails. During a 67 year marriage, they were an unbeatable team as Duane practiced Veterinary Medicine and Alice was the clinic manager, while also owning and managing her own travel agency in Delano.
In her free time, Alice traveled, camped, sewed, gardened, won countless ribbons for her baked goods at the Meeker and Wright County Fair, read the newspaper daily, and kept a lovely home. Family was the center of her life and she was a warm presence in the lives of her husband, children, brothers, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and her final reward, her great grandchildren.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Irene Hillstrom, mother-in-law Sadie Purtilo, and her brother and sister in laws David Purtilo and Diane Fremling. She will be greatly missed by her husband Duane Purtilo, her children Diane Cole (Patrick), Graden Purtilo (Rose), grandchildren Tyler Purtilo (Krystal), Allison Cole, William Cole and great grandchildren Easton and Tate Purtilo, her brothers Alvin Hillstrom, Marvin Hillstrom (Verna) and Daniel Hillstrom, and her beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior at the Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, Minnesota. swansonpeterson.com 320 543 3401. Luncheon will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, Minnesota.

George Wisuri, age 94, of Cokato, MN, passed into eternal life Thursday, December 18, 2025 at the Cokato Manor Nursing Home, Cokato, MN with his family by his side.
George was born August 27, 1931 in Champion, Michigan to Jacob and Ida (Miller) Wisuri. George graduated from Champion High School in 1949. He married Anna Wisuri in 1956 and they enjoyed a love-filled marriage that lasted 64 years. George delivered mail for 30 years and sold postal uniforms for several years in retirement. George took complete care of his wife Anna for many years as a dedicated husband. He was the best father, husband, grandpa one could ever hope for.
George is survived by his son Jeffrey Wisuri of Cokato, MN & his partner Dawn Kallenbach. His granddaughter, Sophia Wisuri of Cokato, MN; sister Faye Erickson of Phoenix AZ, Sister-in-law Luella Grangroth of Cokato, MN, and Mirium Ruonavaara of Laurium, MI..
Celebration of life & funeral will be delayed until late spring and will be held at the Laestadian Lutheran Church, Menahga. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, Minnesota, swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534.

Bradley Lee Westling passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026 in Cokato, Minnesota at the age of 76. He was born on January 7, 1949 in Sunnyside, Washington to parents Leon and Doris Westling. Bradley proudly served his country in the Navy for 22 years. He enjoyed fishing, Cokato Kernels baseball, crocheting hats & mittens, and playing cribbage in his free time. He was known for having an impeccable sense of humor.
Bradley is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Phillip and Doug Westling, and sister, Lynette Zanto.
He is survived by his wife, Gracemary Westling, son, Josh (Kelli) Westling, daughter, Heather Westling, and grandchildren, Carter, Molly, Meagan, and Charley Westling, siblings, Gerry (Jan) Westling, Mary (John) Barker, John (Susan) Westling, and Donny (Geni) Westling.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 am with visitation beginning at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly, Minnesota. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home, swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534.

Julie Mader (Broll), passed away Dec. 30th 2025 in the comfort of her home. She was born May 25th 1962, at St. Mary’s hospital in Winsted, to Larry and Gladys Broll. Survived by her husband Brad, her five children (Mathew, Daniel, Andrew, John, and Katherine), six grandchildren (Dakota Jedidia, Benjamin, Holly, Lyra and Rosalee), and two siblings that all loved her very much. As a daughter, sister, wife, mom and grandma she gave her all.
Very early on she had the passion to help people and made every single step to do so; She was the first CPR certified minor in the county, studied nursing at St. Cloud school of nursing MN, while she was in college she also became an EMT at night school. After the college was torn down, she used her EMT certification to become an ambulance team member for 11 years. God had blessed her during that time with three baby boys.
As life went on, she was blessed with another boy and a few years later a baby girl. Throughout her life her passion to help people never faded and started a naturopathy business where she touched even more lives through her knowledge and determination. She found her soulmate (Brad) while ballroom dancing and has, for the past 14 years, been the happiest woman in the world. If you had asked her what she was most proud of in her life she would say her five strong independent children and her lovely grandkids.
There will be a visitation Jan 11th 2026 at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato MN from 1pm to 3pm. swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

With admiration and gratitude for a life well-lived, we remember Russell Everette Brown, age 83, who passed away on December 31st, 2025 in Dassel, Minnesota.
Born on August 30, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois to Edward and Elizabeth (Horne) Brown. After graduating from Mount Healthy High School in Ohio in 1960, he went on to attend North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he graduated in 1964 with a degree in Pastoral Studies. He married the love of his life, Doris, in 1964 and began a ministry career that spanned over 40 years. He pastored at churches in Minnesota, California, and Michigan before earning his Masters of Divinity in 1978 at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He then, pastored in Wisconsin, finally coming full circle to finish his career in several churches in Minnesota. Russ served with several parachurch ministries including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gospel Light Publications, prison ministries, The ROCK, and Poland Evangelical Mission.

Russ ensured that Jesus remained the focus of his life, consistently practicing what he preached. He had a true servant’s heart and found joy in helping others. He cared for his flocks with warmth and compassion, and he showed that same devotion to his family as a present and active husband and father. Together with his family, he loved to explore the Boundary Waters and other wilderness areas. Russ was a voracious learner of WWII history, reading books, watching movies, visiting museums, and interviewing war veterans whenever possible. An avid woodworker, Russ showed his thoughtfulness for others by crafting functional pieces that they could use in their homes, even if they didn’t always fit through the stairway of his tiny Minneapolis workshop.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Elizabeth Brown, and his brother, Wesley Brown.

Russ is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris (Geffert) Brown and his children Sara (Brian) Gallagher, Laura (Mickey) Klink, and Hugh (Mary) Brown.
Russ was a caring grandfather and supporter of his eleven grandchildren: Betsy (Blake) Hunt; Mick, Damien, and Madisynne Gallagher; Jacob, Benjamin, and Ruth Klink; Ruby, Frances, Steel, and Jasper Brown.
Though it is painful to experience loss, we rejoice that Russ’s life was rich in the things that matter: faith, family, and friendship. We are grateful to see his legacy continue in the family he loved, the friends he gathered, and the communities that he faithfully shepherded. He is now celebrating in the new creation with a body that no longer fails him.
A memorial service https://youtube.com/live/lv6uDRV50lY will be held at 11:00 am Monday, January 5, 2026 with visitation beginning at 10:00 am at the Highland Community Church in Cokato, Minnesota with lunch to follow. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534