Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Leonard Alfred Bray passed away into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, suddenly at his home in Annandale, MN on April 21, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born June 6, 1940 in Shell Lake Wisconsin as the 5th child to Raymond Grant Bray and Olive Nelsina (Satter) Bray. He grew up on the family farm in Earl Township, Washburn WI with his 8 other siblings. Marvin (Marion) Bray, Spooner WI, Grant Bray, CA, Vernon Bray, MN, and Donna Mae Bray, Shell Lake WI; He is preceded in death by Rosemary “Dolly” Bray (Bruner), Robert “Bob” Bray, Raymond “Bud” Bray, and Betty Bray (Collins).

He married B. Elaine (Hale) Bray, his cherished wife and best friend June 25, 2000, and shared many great moments and memories together. He loved and served Jesus, serving Him with his servant’s heart, by always being willing to help others with his many gifts and talents, giving much of himself.

He had four children Bruce Leonard Bray (Laurel), Rapid City, SD, David Aaron Bray, Talihina, OK, Mark Alfred Bray, Rockford, IL., and Melissa Christine Bray-Iverslie (Peter) of New London, MN. Step-children Randall Rokala, Cosmos, MN, Marcella (Rokala) and Craig Hagen, Mesa AZ, Peggy (Rokala) and Micheal Kinzler, Glencoe, MN.

12 grandchildren who live all around the world, Sarah Marie Bray (Hall) Sandstone, VA, Aaron Mathew Bray, Frisco TX, Ariana Marie Bray, New Jersey, Caleb Aaron Bray, New Hampshire, Luke Alfred Bray, IL, Joshua Mark Bray, IL, CPT. Theodore Walter Erickson, Stuttgart Germany, Bennett Leonard Erickson (Rebecca), Dassel, MN, 1Lt. Ethan William Erickson (Shaylese), Kapolei, HI, 2Lt. 1Lt. Isabella Christine Erickson, Minnetonka, MN, and was preceded in death by grandsons Nathan Robert Bray and Jordan Q. Bray. 10 Step grandchildren.

Great Grandchildren, Dakota, Destinee, Jocilyn, Isaiah, Lilliana, Jaden, Miya, Gunnar, Xander, Jasmine, Emma, Walter, Hanzo, and William. 27-Step-Great Grandchildren, and one Great-Great Grandchild.

He was an adventurous man who was a force to be reckoned with. He loved to hunt, fish, and shoot trap competitively. He started and owned Skins and Fins Taxidermy Shop. He invented “Thump Master” lures which are guaranteed to catch Northern Pike, Muskie, Bass, and even Walleye, which he passed on to his grandson Bennett. He could do any type of construction project, and work on any type of engine or motor. He would excel at any sport and loved to play golf and played racquet ball on a competitive league, and trained bird hunting dogs. There really was not anything he could not do. He was a master mechanic for General Motors, then a foreman at Metro Transit.

He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. Viewing and services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday April 29, 2025 at The Lakes Community Church in Annandale, MN. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the Funeral services. Interment will be held following services at Pleasant View Cemetery in Annandale, MN. Refreshments will be held after cemetery service at the church.

Jewell Mae Christiansen (nee Olson/Fredeen) passed away peacefully at Dassel Lakeside Nursing Home on April 15, 2025 at the age of 90.

Jewell was born January 24, 1935 in Isanti County, MN and was a graduate of St. Cloud State University. She became a lifelong elementary teacher in Dassel-Cokato. After retiring from teaching first grade, she remained in Dassel and was an avid gardener, quilter, and chocolate chip cookie maker.

She is survived by her husband, James R. Christiansen, sons: Peter Fredeen, Steven Fredeen, stepchildren: Bill Matney, Cathy Courtney, James W. Christiansen, Dan Christiansen and many grandchildren.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Walter and Myrtle Olson, first husband Richard Fredeen, and daughter Jane Gabrielson (nee Fredeen).

A beloved wife and mother, she is home with the Lord now.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 21, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Cokato, Minnesota with visitation one hour prior.

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

Patrick Ludvig Bajari passed away on April 14, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 55 years. He was a major figure in the economics profession and was deeply connected to Minnesota Economics, and his reputation grew to one of national prominence.

Pat was born and raised in Minnesota, where his family’s success as both farmers and business owners taught him the value of hard work and setting bold goals. His early lessons—rooted in hands-on experience and intellectual curiosity—shaped a lifelong belief: the best discoveries happen where disciplines meet.

Early in life, he worked on the family farm and helped his Grandpa Pat sort and clean metals. His yearning for knowledge began at a young age as he always had a lot of questions. Grandpa Pat “ his namesake” once said “ that kid thinks too much about the universe” probably because he was asking him lots of questions while helping clean and prepare copper, aluminum and brass. After high school graduation, he worked as a laborer for Bituminous Paving, Ortonville, MN.

He graduated from Annandale High School in 1987. He completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, earning BS degrees in Economics and Mathematics in 1992 and his PhD in Economics in 1997. His academic career included faculty positions at Harvard, Stanford, Duke, and Michigan before he returned in 2006 to join the Minnesota faculty. In 2010, he went on leave to become Chief Economist at Amazon, eventually making the move permanent. In Pat’s words, “…when I saw the data wave blowing up in tech, I knew I had to stay and be a part of it. I gave up tenure and dove all in.” He played a transformational role in leading the emergence of tech-economics in industry—one of the major developments in economics in recent years. In 2023, he became Chief Economist at Keystone.

Pat’s contributions to academic economics will be long-lasting—not only through his major body of work in industrial organization, but also through the students he mentored, many of whom have become leaders in the field themselves. Pat asked a lot of his students, and he gave a lot in return.

With his move to Amazon, Pat helped transform the business of e-commerce, combining economics and data analysis to guide business decision-making. His 2023 interview, published after he joined Keystone, is recommended reading because it distills what Pat was creating and captures the excitement he had doing it, including his comment: “Amazon was like a candy store of data-driven tech problems to work on.” In terms of results, the title of a 2019 CNN article says a lot: “Amazon gets an edge with its secret squad of PhD economists.” The article goes on to explain how Pat built an economics group from scratch, with over 150 PhDs at the time of the article. Later the number would increase to over 400. Other companies soon emulated Amazon, including Uber and even Walmart. This development became known as tech-economics, and the sector now accounts for a significant share of PhD job placements.

At the end of the 2023 interview mentioned above, Pat was asked, “Do you have anything to add?” He offered two reflections that serve as a fitting coda. The first was about the importance of integrating across fields in business: “A diverse team often created better solutions.” We can’t help but note that this was also one of the hallmarks of his academic success. For the second, we quote Pat verbatim: “I also try to keep myself humble (although I fail occasionally). I’m from Minnesota. I was taught to keep your head down, work hard, be sincere, and good things can happen with perseverance.” With all due respect to Pat’s Minnesota modesty, we can safely say he put his head down, worked hard, and achieved extraordinary things.

Beyond his professional achievements, Pat had an appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. His love of fly-fishing was second only to his deep love for his twin daughters, Anja and Sylvi. He always spoke of them with immense pride and love, cherishing every moment they spent together. They came first in his life. He was the best of Fathers.

Patrick L. Bajari is survived by his daughters, Anja and Sylvi; his parents, Ann and Jerry; his siblings, Bill and Mary and brother-in-law Chris; his loving aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews and cousins; and a vast community of friends, students, colleagues, and admirers who are better for having known him.

Pat was preceded in death by his grandparents Leon and Agatha Horstman, Pat and Shirley Bajari, uncles Paul Horstman and Allan Bajari, cousins Riika Bajari, Sarah Lange, and Jonah Kerrigan.

Wake will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 655 Broadway Avenue South, Cokato, MN
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 26 at 1 pm at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 110 Winsted Ave West, Winsted MN

In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to:
The American Cancer Society or
‘Department of Economics Annual Fund in memory of Pat Bajari’ at the University of Minnesota Foundation. Donations may be sent to: UMF, P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486-0266 or online at z.umn.edu/PatrickBajari

Gerald Albert Kriesch, Sr. passed away April 12, 2025, at the age of 82.

Gerald was born in the Township of Ceresco, MN to Harry and Fern Kriesch on July 26, 1942. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from Madelia, MN High School with the class of 1960. He was married to Darla Clausen on October 22, 1960 and together they celebrated 64 years of marriage and were blessed with 3 children. They have been residents of Howard Lake since 1963.

Gerald enjoyed deer hunting in Minnesota and Kansas, golfing, time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spending time at the lake. He was a member of the Howard Lake Fire Department for 20 years. Gerald always enjoyed a good road trip with Darla, just seeing the countryside and spending time with her. The family joke was that Gerald would drive to Wisconsin just for one bag of apples or a chunk of cheese, but it was the together time that counted.

Survivors include his wife Darla, children: Troy (Cheryl) Kriesch, Gerald (Jodi) Kriesch, Jr., and Lori (Francis) Wilhelm, eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, brothers-in law: Lynn Clausen and Kelly (Trudy) Clausen, along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents Harry and Fern Kriesch and siblings: Donald Kriesch and Maxine Fearing.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00-5:00 PM, Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Delano American Legion.

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

William Allen Chaney, age 77, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

Bill, as he wanted to be called, was born September 25, 1947 in Jamestown, North Dakota to William and Pauline (Bollinger) Chaney. In 1967, he moved to St. Paul to work for Twin City Testing. From there, he worked for NSP, now Xcel Energy.

Bill married Carin Reinke in 1968. Together, they had two sons, Chad & Aric.

Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, talking to anyone and a trip to Alaska.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Isom T. Chaney.

Survived by his wife, children Chad and Aric (Janine), siblings Donna Bennett, Jim Chaney and many nieces, nephews and friends.

While wintering in Foley, Alabama in 2017, Bill came to personally know and accept Jesus as his Savior. His wish is for all of you to accept Jesus as your Savior.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (7809 County Rd 35) in Annandale, Minnesota. Visitation one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

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