Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Shea Ashley Birkholz Workman, age 33, passed away on Monday, June 09, 2025, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, Minnesota. She was born January 15, 1992, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, Minnesota to Bradley & Melanie (Sigman) Birkholz. She attended Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School. She met the love of her life William Workman in 2004. She was a CNA/TMA at St.Mary’s Care Center in Winsted, MN. William and Shea welcomed their three daughters into the world and Shea’s dream and passion was to stay home and raise her children; William made that dream come true for her. Shea was the heartbeat of her home. She organized daily life and nurtured her children with unwavering love and attention. Her family was her world, and she extended the same warmth to her nieces, nephews, and the children of her friends, always believing in the importance of helping children grow into great adults. She enjoyed golf cart rides to watch the sunset with her babies, iced coffee, the annual Rolag Trip with the Workman family, gnomes, music, and vacationing with family and friends. She loved taking care of people, all things antique, garage sales, homemade, family fires in her driveway, Alan Jackson, reality tv, comedy, and dark humor. Her sudden passing has left a deep void in the lives of her loved ones.

Sherman Lee Stallmo, 85, of Winsted, MN (formerly of East Grand Forks, MN) passed away Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, at the Gardens at Winsted Assisted Living.

Sherman was born September 16, 1939, in McIntosh, MN to Gunder Stallmo & Alice (Anderson).

Sherman attended EGF Central High School and graduated in 1957. After high school Sherman joined the army. He served his tour of duty from 1961-1964. On August 10, 1963, he married the love of his life, Maria Gottinger from Passau, West Germany in Junction City Kansas. After his discharge, Sherman and Maria returned to East Grand Forks where he got a job with the E.G.F Police Department. Sherman loved working in law enforcement and spent 30 years there.

He and Maria were blessed with two children, James (1964) and Sandra (1965). In December of 1994, Sherman retired as Police Sgt. from East Grand Fork Police Department. Sherman also worked a second job. He got his realtor’s license and worked realty on his down time. He loved working with people.

After the passing of his wife Maria in 2016, Sherman moved to Howard Lake with his daughter, Sandy. His son Jim passed in 2019. Sherman moved into the Gardens at Winsted Assisted Living in 2021 due to health issues until his passing.

Sherman loved being with family, especially his grandkids. He loved to be outside, listening to his country music and enjoying a good cigar in the sunshine. His passion was the love of sports. He never missed a Twins, Vikings or Timberwolves game on TV. He was a big fan of the Howard Lake Orphans where his grandson Brad plays. If you knew my dad, he loved to make people laugh with a good Ole and Lena joke, if not another joke he had up his sleeve. He also loved spending time with his good friend Mark. He looked forward to his visits every week.

Sherman was a good, caring man with so much love to give. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Sherman is survived by his daughter Sandy Stallmo, Grandchildren Brad Bickmann, Haley (husband Shaun) Mahoney, Kala Phelps, great grandson Carter Weadick-Phelps and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Winsted, MN with visitation one hour prior.
Inurnment will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at Resurrection Cemetery, East Grand Forks.

In celebration of dad’s lifelong love of sports, we encourage guests to wear their favorite team apparel to the service. Whether it’s a jersey, cap, or team colors, your tribute will honor the joy and passion he had for the games.

Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Gregory T. Gagnon, of Waverly, Minnesota, passed away on May 24, 2025, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, at the age of 76.

He was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School and St. Paul Technical School. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

Greg enjoyed traveling, gardening, cooking, riding his motor cycle and spending time with his family. He was proceeded in death by his parents Tom and Yvonne Gagnon, and brother John.

He is survived by his brother David (Linda) Gagnon, and sisters Elaine (Steve) Bruchman, and Rose Marie (Gary) Wagner, special cousin Diane (Bob) Mahowald, 5 nephews and 4 nieces.

A Celebration of Life lunch will be held at the Waverly Knights of Columbus Hall (301 5th St N), on Tuesday, June 17 from 12:00-2:00 PM, with words of remembrance at 1:00 PM.

A private family burial, with military honors, with be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake & Cokato, Minnesota. #320-543-3401 www.swansonpeterson.com

Cora Liisa Hillukka, beloved daughter, sister, and friend, peacefully slept away as angels gently guided her to heaven on Saturday, May 24th, 2025. Though her time on earth was brief, she lived life with her whole heart.

Cora was born March 3rd, 2008 in Buffalo, Minnesota, to the late Gregory Hillukka and Jaclyn Halonen. Cora attended school within the Dassel Cokato School District until sixth grade. Starting in seventh grade, she attended various online Minnesota schools. She had planned to graduate high school with an Associate’s Degree from Ridgewater College. At the age of nine, her mother married Aaron Halonen, and Cora joyfully welcomed him as her father. Growing up, Cora couldn’t go a day without seeing her friends. Tuesday nights, haps, and special services were things she never missed. She loved traveling, and recently, fell in love with running. She flew to Arizona to complete her first half marathon in February with her dad and sister. Cora brought her bright personality with her wherever she went. Whether she was working at one of her many jobs, Dairy Queen, the Grounds, or Brookridge, Cora always left happiness and smiles to those that happened to bump into her.

Known for her radiant smile and tender spirit, Cora had a gift for caring for others—especially her mother, siblings and grandmother. Even in the quiet hours of the night, she could be found tending to the needs of the little ones, offering a calm and loving presence. She was a constant source of comfort, joy, and encouragement in her home. Faith, family, and friends were important to Cora. Whether she was helping around the house, giggling with her siblings, or engaging in a fiercely competitive board game (which she loved most when she was winning), Cora brought a contagious energy and brightness that lit up every room she entered.

Cora is survived by her parents Aaron and Jaclyn Halonen; her siblings Faye (Braden Laho), Slade, Bryer, Brynn, Kyla, Ladd, and Lund Hillukka, Mya, Kate, Levi, Ava, and Sage Halonen; grandparents Bradley and Maureen Mattila, Rauha Hillukka, John and Becky Halonen; her special friend Carter Wisuri; a large extended family; and countless friends who cherished her. She was preceded in death by her father, Gregory Hillukka and grandfather Ernest Hillukka.

There will be a reviewal Friday, May 30th, 2025 from 4:00-8:00pm with a service at 7:00pm. The funeral will be held on Saturday, May 31st, 2025 at 11:00am, at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church, with visitation starting at 10:00am.

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

Betty Lou Dahlen, age 94, passed away May 22, 2025.

Betty was born March 3, 1931 to Arthur & Mary Hendrickson. Betty was a graduate of Howard Lake High School in 1948. She was married to Elmer Dahlen on March 29, 1952. Together, they had 4 children. She enjoyed life as a farm wife and mother, as well as crocheting, dancing and she loved tending to her garden and flowers.

Betty is survived by daughters: Diane Dahlen, Susan (Robert) Miller and Amy (David) Studer, grandchildren: Sonja (Joshua) Olson, Alex (Erica) Dahlen, Kyle Studer and Amanda Studer as well as 4 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Elmer, daughter Judy Fisher and siblings Orville and Joyce.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN with visitation held one hour prior.

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