Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Betty Joanne (Morris) Severson went to her rest on Tuesday March 10, 2026. She was born to Emil and Hannah Morris on March 18, 1932. She married Arden Severson April 19, 1950 and together they raised their 7 children, first in rural Cokato MN and then in LeSueur MN. In 1999 they built their retirement home on their farm in Wright County. During their retirement they traveled significantly, spent time with their 7 children and 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Betty had many hobbies, most of them wonderfully crafty. She spent countless hours at her looms weaving beautiful rag rugs, and when she wasn’t weaving, she was often sewing, an enthusiasm that bordered on a lifelong addiction. She was a strong, energetic, and a deeply creative force. Betty loved a good game of Scrabble, cherished her time in the sauna, baked wonderful bread, and was a true lefse expert. Proud of her Finnish heritage, she carried its traditions and spirit throughout her life. She sang in the church choir well into her 80s and rarely liked to sit still, she was always active, always involved, and always making something or helping someone. A frequent and devoted volunteer, she also found great joy and peace at the lake home she loved so much.
A true force of nature.
Funeral service for Betty will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 14th at Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Friday at the church and one hour prior to service on Saturday at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home 320 286 2534 swansonpeterson.com

Betty Ann Melquist of Dassel MN was called home to Jesus on the 9 th of March 2026; she was 92years young. Born in Staples MN September 4 th, 1933, to Edward & Frieda Yager. She loved to climb trees and play with her brothers outside; she was proud of being a little “tomboy” when she often reflected on her younger years. When moving to Howard Lake MN at the age of twelve she enjoyed living on the farm, picking raspberries, and above all else discovering her skills and love for gardening. Betty, during her senior year of school, found the love of her life Charles Melquist, they were united in marriage on a snowy day in May 1954, moving to Cokato to start a family of her own on the Melquist farm. Betty continued to work hard as a loving mother, a farmer’s wife, and of course creating the biggest garden she could! Charlie was diagnosed with MS, ending the career of farming in 1989 to a new chapter in a Cokato apartment while loving the factory job she worked for 10 years. After Charlie passed, she moved in with her daughter outside of Dassel MN. She spent the rest of her years very happy, hours upon hours in her garden talking to the Lord daily, crocheting/knitting blankets to give to her grandchildren and doilies to give away to loved ones. She continued working part time until the age of 80 and spent the next twelve years of retirement enjoying her Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren. She was loved and will be missed deeply.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Edward, Ralph and Donnie Yager, sister Dorothy Wysong, and sisters-in-law Marge Yager and Gale Yager.
Betty is survived by her sons Howard and Alan Melquist, daughter Debi (David) Gigley, brother Jimmy Yager, sister Shirly Kunze, grandchildren Kelly (Gary Veurink) Bemboom, April & Travis Bemboom, Adam & Joannah Melquist, Brady & Renee Melquist, Elysia (Stan Weibel) Hillmyer, Christy & Michael Holm, Kindralee & Aaron Munson, Anne & Nathan Miller, 14 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.
A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, March 20th at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato with visitation 1 hour prior and lunch to follow. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato 320 286 2534 swansonpeterson.com.
Livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/sUEgszepbL4?si=Uvpx9Oxa6MmE3kNV

Michael Earl Koeppe of Waverly passed away on February 22 in Howard Lake, Minnesota. He was born on January 1st, 1945 to Earl and Metta (Clausen) Koeppe in Detroit, Michigan. The family moved to Delano, Minnesota in October of 1950. They later moved to a farm in Loretto in May 1951 before finally settling in Waverly in May 1956, where they raised dairy cows. In June, 1958 Earl had a serious farm accident, leaving Mike to take over many farm duties at a very young age. Mike graduated from Howard Lake-Waverly High School in 1963. He continued to dairy farm with Earl, occasionally taking an afternoon off to see a Twins Game at the Old Met. Mike and Earl sold the dairy cows in 1981 and crop farmed after that. After Earl passed in 1998, Mike’s son Adam helped out. Mike, Earl and Adam spent many summer nights listening to Twins games on the radio under the trees. The greatest joy in Mike’s life was helping raise his grandchildren, Shane and Romana. He loved seeing them perform in the many plays they were in. He loved watching westerns, wrestling and Twins games. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Howard Lake. He is survived by his son Adam, grandchildren Shane and Romana, and sister Karen. A funeral Service will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 7th at the First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake with visitation one hour prior. Lunch will be served following the service. Interment will take place in the spring. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home 320 543 3401 swansonpeterson.com.

Richard Leland Nagel passed away at Dassel Lakeside Nursing Home on February 21, 2026. Richard was born on the farm in Mower County on February 26, 1936 to Elmer and Vina Nagel. Richard grew up on the farm in Mower County with his 2 brothers, sister, Mom and Dad. He graduated from Austin High School. After high school he joined the National Guard.
On December 6, 1958 he married Lois Taylor. They were married at the Robbinsdale Baptist Church. Their grandmas were best friends and college roommate’s. Richard loved farming, camping and the mountains. His favorite place was Alaska.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brother Irving Nagel.
He is survived by his sons Alan (Karen) Nagel, and Daniel (Janelle) Nagel, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, brother Donald (Pam) Nagel, and sister Carolyn (Robert) Mcelfatrick.
Funeral service for Richard will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 7th at Faith Lutheran Church in London, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Friday, March 6th at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, Minnesota. Also, one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home 320 286 2534 swansonpeterson.com
Livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@FaithLutheranChurch-q8s

Sheila Kay (Erickson) Dalbec of Cokato passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026 at Cokato Manor. She was born on October 4, 1951 to William and Lois Erickson. She was baptized and confirmed in Grace Lutheran Church, South Haven. She attended Cokato High School and graduated in 1969.
She worked for Prudential after High School as a Quality Control Analyst for 25 years until it became IBM. She worked for IBM for 5 years and then Data Recognition Corp. for 2 years, testing computer programs. She retired from there in 2010.
She married the love of her life, Larry L. Dalbec, on May 22, 1982. They enjoyed many trips and cruises, sometimes with family and friends, and enjoyed their winters together in Texas and then in Florida, meeting many forever friends there too.
She was a very active member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Delano, where she enjoyed all of their many friends at the church.
Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, Bill & Lois, a baby brother, Billy. Her brothers­in-law; Robert Salmela, Robert McLeod and sister-in-law Shirley Erickson.
Sheila is survived by her loving husband, Larry, siblings; Barb McLeod, Pat Salmela, Gordy (Dorene) Erickson, and John Erickson. Nieces & Nephews; Allison (Dereck) White, Eric McLeod, Bill (Lori) Salmela, Jeff (Steph) Salmela, Scott (Kelly) Salmela, Tricia (Brad) Lahr, Mandy Erickson, Dori (Hal) Kimball, Josh (Amber) Erickson, Jeremiah Erickson & Jenna
(Dan) Goh man. Many great-nieces & nephews, one great-great nephew and many friends.
She will be missed by many. Peace be to her memory.
In lieu of flowers or memorials please donate to Hope Lodge, American Cancer Society, 2500 University Ave SE, Minneapolis MN 55414, in memory of Sheila Dalbec.
Her funeral will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 11 :00 am at Mt. Olive Lutheran 435 Bridge Ave E., Delano. Visitation 9:00 am until the time of service. internment will be held at the Mt. Olive West Lutheran Cemetery, following the service. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home 320-286-2534 swansonpeterson.com.