Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Beverly “Bev” Patrice Moye, most recently of Prior Lake, MN passed away on the evening of Sunday, April 19th, 2026 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN. Her dear family and friends were so blessed to surround her with love as she left this world. Bev leaves a legacy of steadfast commitment to her family, her faith and her love for education.

Beverly was born to George B. and Evelyn M. (Greeley) Moye on May 14, 1946 in Fairmont, MN. She was baptized on May 31, 1959 at the Horicon Church of Christ in Truman, MN. As a child, her family and friends called her “Missy”. She enjoyed riding horses including her own horse named Speck, traveling to Franklin, KY to visit Moye relations, and taking piano lessons. She often spoke fondly of being the only gal in her neighborhood, so she knew how to hold her own with boys!

She was a proud graduate of Fairmont High School in 1964, where she earned the honor of Co-Valedictorian of her class. While at Fairmont High, Bev was a cheerleader, a member of the orchestra, the Latin Club, and the Chorus as well as a number of other organizations. She continued her passion for education at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN where Elementary Education was her course of study. Bev always looked for community and pledged the Alpha Phi sorority, where she became a proud sister and alumna.

Bev began her career in education at Cokato Elementary in 1968 and spent the next 41 years teaching various grade levels. She took a short break during this time to begin raising her four daughters. She was committed to the youth in the community, whether it was in her classrooms or supporting her children and former students in their various extra-curricular activities. Bev was a member of the Dassel Church of Christ where she continued teaching by being a Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher and administrator, and was also the substitute church organist.

Upon retirement in 2009, Bev could not walk away from the Cokato school system and spent a few more years as a long-term sub and a paraprofessional. There was still much she could offer and she wanted to continue sharing her talents. She also wanted more time with the staff and administration she loved so much. When she fully retired, she relished the time she spent with her grandchildren. She also loved attending various Bible studies, book clubs, and watching NCIS (the Mark Harmon seasons).

Bev is survived by her brother, Philip (Nancy) Moye, her four daughters, Rhea (Tom) Langemo, Jenna (Gary) Noble, Abby (Jon) DeVries, and Deveny (Casey) Beaton and grandchildren, Ethan, Erikka/Cyrus, Sam, Maja, Georgia, Reagan, Elijah, Wesley, Oliver, and Thatcher. She will also be remembered by her nieces and nephews, cousins, many close family friends, her ‘Klammer Kids” (you know who you are), and Markie May Moye, her beloved cat.

Bev is preceded in death by her father and mother. Services will be held on May 14, 2026 at the First Baptist Church, Cokato, MN at 2:00 pm. A visitation will be held one hour before the service. Burial will be at Fairview Memorial Park in Fairmont, MN at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to MN Ovarian Cancer Alliance or Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation.

Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota 320 286 2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Jean Cecilia Schmitz (née Ryan) of Cokato, Minnesota, passed away in the early morning of April 24, 2026, at the age of 82.

Raised in Cedar Mills, Minnesota, Jean was born on May 12, 1943. She was the daughter of an Irish father and Danish mother. In truth, she was also a quarter English—something she firmly denied even when presented with undeniable proof (including the fact that Kimball, Minnesota is named after her direct ancestors…though her Irish side simply wouldn’t allow her to admit it).

Jean is survived by her husband of 51 years, Mike Schmitz, and her four children: Cris (Kathryn) Arens, Tim (Laura) Arens, Mindy (Mike) Anderson, and Joseph (Nickole) Schmitz, all of whom have built families of their own.

As a young mother, Jean lived on Air Force bases throughout the South during the Vietnam War era. In 1971, she returned to Minnesota. She later met Mike, and together they built a life and raised their family in the countryside near Cokato.

Jean lived a full and adventurous life. She traveled the world—from Japan to Thailand to Scotland—visiting her children as they pursued their own journeys, and exploring many other places with friends along the way. Alongside Mike, whose work as an over-the-road truck driver took them across the country, Jean saw much of the United States firsthand. A proud traveler, she visited 48 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, and at 82 was still planning her final road trip to Vermont and Maine. She may not get to enjoy that lobster roll, but her son Tim and daughter-in-law Laura will make the journey with her ashes before she takes one final adventure over Niagara Falls.

Her passing was sudden and deeply felt by all who loved her. But Jean would want us to smile—because going quickly was exactly how she would have wanted it.

She leaves behind a legacy of love through her grandchildren: Cody (Grace) Anderson, Max (Emma) Ibata-Arens, Colton (Chloe) Anderson, Jacob Schmitz, Elizabeth Ibata-Arens, Daniel Schmitz, Grace Schmitz, and Naomi Schmitz, as well as her first great-grandchild, Wren Anderson.

They will always remember the kindness, humor, and spirit of “Nana.”

Jean never wanted a traditional funeral—she wanted a party. A celebration of her life, in true Irish wake fashion, will be held at the Schmitz family farm on Sunday, May 17th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a reflection of her life at 2:00 p.m.

Schmitz Family Farm
10028 50th St SW
Howard Lake, MN 55349

Roger Arthur Osbeck, age 102, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026 at his daughter’s home in Delano, MN. Roger was born on August 13, 1923 in Cokato, MN and was one of 11 children of Swedish immigrant parents, Charles and Ellen Osbeck. He was raised in Cokato, MN and as a young adult moved to Minneapolis. He married Violet Garrow on October 7, 1950 in Minneapolis and they resided there until moving to Golden Valley in 1956. Together they raised 4 daughters, and dad always said he was a king with 5 queens!

He was self-employed in painting and decorating for most of his working life, and he especially loved refinishing furniture. He was a member of Painters Local 386 and was proud to receive his 75-year pin in 2025. Roger liked to keep busy and was a jack-of-all trades when it came to family, friends, and neighbors and he was never at a loss for work. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix if he had paint, caulk, duct tape and a screwdriver! He was often heard to say “save your money and buy tools!” Upon Violet’s death in 2018, Roger moved to Hanover, MN to live with one of his daughters, and they eventually moved to Delano, MN.

Roger will be dearly missed, and is survived by 4 daughters, Dawn Boh of Verona, WI, Sharon (Mark) Flaten of Wayzata, MN, Sandy Dybing of North Mankato, MN, Diane Zachary of Delano, MN, 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and several friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife Violet of 67 years, sons-in-law Larry Boh and Rodney Dybing, and 10 siblings (Esther, Carl, Maryon, Edith, Bill, Ann, Donald, Lucille, Russell, and Clifford).

The family wishes to thank Dr. Randy Peterson (Allina Health in St. Michael) for several years of dad’s care, and Adara Home Health Care and St. Croix Hospice for their wonderful care and assistance during his last 2 weeks.

At Roger’s request, a private family graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Cokato Historical Society, 175 4th St. SW, P.O.Box 686, Cokato, MN 55321-0686.

Audrey Mae Peterson, 89, formerly of Dassel/Cokato, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born on March 1, 1937, to Levi and Ina (Hasti) Rokala at their farmhouse near Kingston, Minnesota. Audrey was baptized and confirmed in the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Cokato. She attended Kingston Elementary School and graduated in 1955 from Dassel High School.

On June 1, 1957, Audrey united in marriage to Ronald J. Peterson. The two were married for 68 years and raised seven children. They moved to Arizona in 1976. After raising children, Audrey continued her education and graduated from Grand Canyon College in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Audrey was a dedicated teacher, devoting herself tirelessly to educating students for 20 years in Peoria, Arizona. She retired in 2000.

During retirement, Audrey valued her time with family and friends, especially her 31 grandchildren and 77 great-grandchildren. Her hobbies were baking cardamon bread (her family’s favorite), quilting, and solving sundry puzzles. Audrey loved music and was a talented pianist. She enjoyed sharing the hymns that touched her soul. As written in Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Audrey will be remembered by her family and friends for her spunky personality, independent spirit, and beautiful smile.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Levi and Ina Rokala; brothers, John Rokala and Milton Rokala; sister, Ruth Janckila; son-in-law, Bernie Delaney; and grandson, Chase Falls.

Audrey is survived by her husband, Ronald John Peterson; their children, Lynda Skoog-Peterson, Aaron (Lynda) Peterson, Larry (Kathryn) Peterson, Anne Peterson, Jeanne Falls Delaney, Sara Peterson, Colleen (Mark) Daavettila; brother, Carl (Bev) Rokala; sisters, MaryAnn Harkman and Margaret Mattila; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Those who loved her and were touched by her faith, kindness, and friendship will always have memories of her easygoing personality and willingness to share a part of her life. Our memories of her will forever remain in our hearts.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 11 a.m. Visitation is one hour prior to service at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield, Minnesota.

Bennett Michael Jurmu was our deeply loved and cherished, beautiful boy. We were blessed with his birth on September 4, 2013. Unknown to anyone at the time, Bennett suffered a brain bleed before birth, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and lifelong disabilities.
In spite of these challenges, Bennett was the most peaceful and content baby and child. His smiles took many months to appear, but once they did, they could light up an entire room. Though his abilities were limited to smiling and frowning, he brought immeasurable joy to everyone around him. Through his quiet and gentle presence, Bennett taught many lessons during his short life here on earth.
Though we were not ready—because our time is not God’s time—our beloved Bennett is now running with the angels in Heaven. He slept away unexpectedly but peacefully with a smile on his face on April 13, 2026, at the age of 12.
While our hearts are broken, we rejoice in his victory. We thank God for the honor and privilege of loving him. He was, and always will be, so very loved.
Bennett is survived by his loving family: his parents, Robert and Leila; his siblings, Austin (Tricia), Claire, Kaylee, Whitney, Spencer, Treyton, Nadia, Lincoln, Anya, and Harper; his “second mom” and auntie, Erika Koivukangas; his grandparents, George and Mary Koivukangas, and Eric and Maggie Jurmu; his great-grandmother, Miriam Jurmu; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his aunts, Elsa Koivukangas, Amy Waaraniemi, and Stephanie Jurmu; his cousin, Aila Niskanen; and his great-grandparents.
Funeral service for Bennett will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 16th at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, April 15th with a 7:00 PM service at the church. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the service on the 16th. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, Minnesota 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com