Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Patricia (Patti) Ann Davison passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026 at the age of 65 in Buffalo, MN. She was born on September 5, 1960 in Cokato, Minnesota to Helmer and Verna Simonson, the youngest girl in the Simonson family of 12 children.
She fondly recalled these childhood days, living on the edge of town. Summer days were spent splashing in Sucker Creek, being mindful of the dropoff, with a salt shaker ready to get the leeches off the legs and feet. Many hours were spent biking around town with friends, often with money in their pockets for penny candy and comics at the local drugstore. They had to be home when the church bell rang at 6:00pm. This time of life also came with difficulty for a young Patti; her mother Verna passed away when Patti was just 12 years old.

After finishing her high school courses early in January of 1979, Patti moved with friends to Arizona, then to Seattle. Patti married Tim Davison in October of 1979. God blessed them with seven children; six sons and one daughter.

In 1992, daughter Sasha experienced a drowning accident and spent the remainder of her life needing care. Patti cared for her in their home for a period of time, one of which was customized to meet Sasha’s needs. On the wall of Sasha’s room, Patti, a gifted artist, painted the words, “For my dear child, I wish two things. To give you roots, to give you wings.” This phrase embodied Patti’s mothering style, finding it important to teach her children many things, including being grounded yet independent.

In 1999, Patti moved from Washington to Minnesota with her five youngest boys, in search of new temporal roots. She decorated cakes at the Wuollet bakery, and did bookkeeping for a landscaping company. With the encouragement of her sister Sandy, Patti started nursing school in 2003. She continued to support her boys and herself, while studying nursing in the evenings and weekends. She graduated with honors in 2006.

She worked as a Registered Nurse in Minnesota, Arizona, and Washington. Throughout her career, she served the inmates in the county jail, the elderly in care facilities and homes, and veterans at the VA.

Patti was known as Nana to her 56 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. She loved gift giving, ensuring each grandchild received a candy bag at Christmas time, and each new grandbaby received a Christmas ornament the year they were born.

She had a passion for learning, and loved to delve deep into topics that interested her. Life’s many trials versed her in grief, and she quietly became a trusted resource for others to turn to in their times of need.

Although she endured many hardships and trials in her life, she always kept her sense of humor, even until her final days. She kept her family, friends, and grandchildren laughing.

Throughout her life, Patti found comfort in visits with family and friends, and most importantly, the simple, childlike faith and gospel she had been taught as a child.

She is survived by her children: Tyler (Janelle), Dustin (Andrea), Conor (Heather), Chet (Laura), Cole (Marleena), and Mick (Madeline), 56 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren. By siblings: Ron, Harley, Dale, Sandra, Karen, Maureen, Gary, Kent, Chris, as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, godchildren, and friends. She is preceded in death by daughter Sasha, parents Helmer and Verna Simonson, step-mother Esther Simonson, siblings Mark, Wade, and Kevin.

A visitation will take place at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello, Minnesota, 1860 County Rd 39 NE, Monticello MN 55362 on Sunday, September 6, 2026 from 4:30 PM until 7:30 PM. There will be a prayer service starting at 6:30 PM.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 7, 2026 at 10:30 AM with a visitation starting at 9:00 AM, at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello, Minnesota. Interment to follow at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery.

Daryl Jeffrey Buttenhoff, 62, of Howard Lake, MN passed away peacefully at home on the farm, August 24th, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Daryl was born on July 12th, 1964, in Litchfield, Minnesota, to Melvin and Beatrice Buttenhoff of Howard Lake. He was baptized August 2nd, 1964 and confirmed on May 7th, 1978 at St. James Lutheran Church where he was also united in marriage with Dorothy Tutewohl on July 18th,1992. Their marriage was blessed with 2 children, David and Danielle.
Daryl spent the majority of his life farming, ice fishing and deer hunting. He worked at ABC in Montrose for 20+ years as a supervisor building trusses. Due to the side effects of his Leukemia, Daryls’ work on the farm looked different for the last 14 years but he still took care of the sheep as he was able. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and love for agriculture with his son David. Daryl was fortunate to spend his last harvest season driving combine, his favorite farm duty. Some of his favorite memories were seeing his children get married, watching his 4 grandchildren grow and being their Papa.
Daryl’s memory will be carried on by his devoted wife Dorothy, his children David (Chelsea) Buttenhoff and Danielle (Jared) Horton. Grandchildren; Blake and Lydia Buttenhoff, Sophia and Chase Horton. His sister Dwan (Larry) Tjeerdsma, Mother and Father in law Jack and Donna Tutewohl; Brothers and sisters in law; John Tutewohl, Pat (Janie) Tutewohl, Janet (Mark) Schneider, Jared (Judy) Tutewohl, Linda Tutewohl, Susan (Ken) Smith, Marie Tutewohl,Ray Tutewohl, Steve (Stacy) Tutewohl, Matt (Cora) Tutewohl, and Sara (Craig) Lyons. Many Nieces and Nephews and Great Nieces and Nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Beatrice Buttenhoff, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Niece and Cousins.

Services for Daryl will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM with a visitation starting at 9:30 AM, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota.

David “Dave” Decker was known by many names — Dave, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Son, Pappy Gnome — but no matter what you called him, everyone felt the same way about this man. He was a good soul with a big heart and a simple, steady way of moving through the world. Dave was called home to Jesus on August 19, 2026; he left this life as he lived it, on his own terms.
Born on May 12, 1955, to Wilfred and Beverly Decker, Dave grew up working on the family farm in Waverly, where he spent his days doing what he loved most: living simply, working hard, and enjoying the land around him. He was a man of few words, but his heart was bigger than Waverly itself.
Dave attended school in Howard Lake until eighth grade — the point at which, according to him, he had learned everything he needed to know. From there, he returned to farm life, teased and tormented his brothers and sisters (or maybe they tormented him), and made lifelong memories with friends.
Over the years, Dave worked many jobs in construction, framing, and roofing. He married his longtime crush, Mary Beth from the Waverly Café, and together they raised six wonderful children during their 17 years of marriage. Later, Dave met Jackie and her two sons, Brady and Dylan, and they built a life together until his passing.
Dave enjoyed gardening, spending time with family and friends, and especially loved his time fishing out on Lake Ida and local lakes. He wasn’t a man who lived by a schedule — he was more of a “grab the moment” kind of fellow, always ready to enjoy whatever the day brought. Whether he was tinkering or just relaxing, Dave loved spending time in his garage — his ultimate man cave — where he took great joy in caring for his cats and raising their multiple litters each year.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Timmy and Rick; sister Jeannie; sister-in-law Susie; nephew Tommy Fiecke; stepson Brady Schmidt; and father‑in‑law Leo Stulen.
He is survived by his wife Jackie; children Billy (LuAnn), Matt (Joy), Timmy (Nicci), Mary (Jeff) Miller, Sandy (Josh) Forcier, and Davey (Amanda); stepson Dylan Schmidt; twenty grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Siblings include Steve, Warren, Wil (Myra), Randy (Mel Vinge), Donny (Linda Geisen), Donna (Brent) Gilmer, Julie (Jeff) Hille, and Keith (Kristy), along with many other relatives and friends.
Dave will be dearly missed by his family and by everyone whose life he touched. His memory lives on through his brothers and sisters, his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great‑grandchildren, along with all the people who were lucky enough to know him.
Rest in peace, Dave Decker.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 29 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Visitation at 2:00 p.m. Prayer service at 3:00 p.m. Celebration of life at 4:00 p.m. at the Donny Decker residence, 5638 Gowan Ave SW, Waverly.

Eugene “Gene” Isaacson passed away at his home surrounded by family on Aug 6, 2026. Gene was born on Dec 14, 1938 to Frank and Hulda Isaacson, in Franklin MN. He was the 16th of 17 children.
They moved to Cokato when Gene was 12. He was very used to living on a farm and seldom going to town. When moving to Cokato, they lived a short distance from town and Gene did get lost in the “city”.
He would reminisce how he and a couple of brothers would drive the tractor to Brooks Lake to swim, quite a treat as was the movie theater in town. 10 cents given to him for a movie.
On August 23 1978 he married Jonay Anderson. Together they had 8 children which made for a very active, interesting, adventurous, parent learning household.
Gene was a carpenter and started his own business shortly after they married to be able to stay in the area. Gene and Jonay liked to fish and camp and did so as often as they could, generally in northern MN. When retirement came, they became snowbirds. First to FL for a few years and then to TX for several more. While in TX they became campground hosts. A job well liked with being able to bring new people at the park to local events, places of interest and of course into Mexico. They settled back in Cokato year round a few years ago.
Gene is survived by his wife Jonay, sons Tracy, Jason (Dawnetta), and Chad (Debbie). Daughters Gwen (Joe)Isaacson, Taylor Piehl, Kendra (Steve)Seth, and Bethany(Troy) Bremer. Grandchildren Steven, Sean (Bobbie), Trevor, Justin (Mariah), Joshua, Miranda (Tim) Airhart, Ian, Ivan, Kristina (Keith)Johnson, Tiffany (Charlie) Hannus, Hugh & Lilyan Landman, Bo & Hank Bremer, Shelby (Lyle) Seth, Allie (Alex) Voineag. 10 Great Grand Children, Kasie, McKenzie, Brinley, Urijah, Willa, Jameson, Bennett, Oliver, Skyler, and Owen. 1 GreatGreat Grand Child, Mavis. Sister Dorothy Hammond and brother Kenny (Darlene), sister-in-law Beverly, Daughter-in-law Karen (Loren) Broberg.
Gene was preceded in death by parents Frank and Hulda, son Derek, daughter-in-law Kathy, 6 sisters and 8 brothers, Willard, Viola, Evelyn, Gordon, Mildred, Vermont, Donald, Marian, Floyd, Joyce, Maynard, Duane, Delores, DeLloyd.
A Celebration of life will be held at 1:00 PM with visitation 1 hour prior on Aug 14 at the Fireside Fellowship (formerly the Assembly of God) Church, 190 Johnson Ave SW, Cokato MN. Please feel free to come in casual, comfortable everyday attire….That is what Gene always preferred.

Jed James Kinnunen, son of Donovan and Alyssa Kinnunen of Cokato, MN was born Wednesday February 25, 2026 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis; and peacefully passed away Friday, July 31, 2026 with his parents at his side.
He was dearly loved by his siblings, parents and grandparents during his short 5 months here on this earth. He faced many health trials that his earthly body was unable to overcome.
Jed is predeceased by his older sister Ellie and his grandfather, Vance Ylioja. Jed is survived by his parents Donovan and Alyssa Kinnunen of Cokato, MN; his siblings, Emma, Kayden, Callie and Jenna; his grandparents, Tommi and Lisa Kinnunen of Cokato, MN, and Janine Ylioja of Outlook, Saskatchewan; his aunt, Brigette Ylioja of Outlook, Saskatchewan; his uncles, Jaret Ylioja of Outlook, Saskatchewan and Connor Kinnunen of Cokato, MN. A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4 at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery.