Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

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

Geralyn was born to Selmar and Mildred (Anderson) Lee on March 16, 1941 in Wilmar MN. The family resided in Prinsburg Mn where her father was a banker and her mother was a country school teacher. After completing grade school, Geralyn attended high school in Clara City Mn. In 1957 the family purchased a small farm in Cokato Mn, Mildreds home town. Geralyn graduated in 1959 from Cokato High School. Always being a good student, she went to Augsburg College and while there, decided to go into nursing and entered the nursing program at MN State University, obtaining a BA in her field. She worked as a RN in different types of medical facilities in MN, CA and AZ.
For many years Geralyn kept in touch with friends and relatives always acknowledging every holiday, birthday and events in lives with cards sent. For a few years she started making her own personal cards, a hobby she loved. Geralyn also loved animals and whenever possible would have a pet. Between her work in CA and AZ she took time off and spent an extended period of time in Europe traveling with a couple of like minded friends. An adventure she always treasured and enjoyed reminiscing about.
Geralyn passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026 at Cokato Manor when she was ushered gently into her heavenly home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Selmar and Mildred Lee, brother Galen and sister-in-law Barbara Lee…Survived by Brother Sharel, Sister–in-law Carol Lee, Nieces and Nephew Carrie Klinkner, Laurie Johnson, Kristen Berggren and Ryan Lee. Great nieces and nephew are John and Sarah Klinkner, Emma and Lindsey Johnson and Kyah Lee-Berggren
A service will be held at Fireside Fellowship Church at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 30th with visitation one hour prior and luncheon to follow. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, Minnesota 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Bradley Wilton Birkholz, age 71, passed away at his home following a sudden
cardiopulmonary event. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort knowing he is now held
safely in God’s care and reunited with those who went before him: his parents, Wilton and
Phyllis Birkholz; his sister, Brenda Phillips; his daughters, Faith and Shea Birkholz; and his
grandsons, Faustino (Tino) and Carlos.
Brad was born to Wilton and Phyllis Birkholz on April 28, 1954, and was the brother of
Lucinda (Cindy) Woller and Brenda Phillips. His sisters were always present with a love that
felt both like family and the support of a lifelong friend. Brad married Melanie Kay Sigman
(now Lehtola). He was the father of Faith; Beau (Stephanie); Cameron (Valarie); and Shea
(William). He was also an honorary dad to Brianna and Brandon Lehtola. Brad was proud of
his hardworking, God-fearing children and took great joy in seeing his family grow.
Later in life, Brad began a loving relationship with Debra Gordon, finding happiness,
companionship, and comfort in the life they shared together.
Brad built his life around the steady, everyday things that mattered most to him: being
outdoors, visiting with friends and family, and watching his grandchildren play together. His
legacy continues through his many grandchildren: Jaydn, Cesar, Saylah, Eliana, Charlie,
Bane, Judson, Eva, Millie, and Adaline. Though life brought both joy and hardship, Brad met
each season with a tender heart and a spirit that persevered. He stayed close to his family
and loved sharing stories—especially the ones with a little mischief mixed in. His
adventurous spirit and loving heart continue to guide us, reminding us to cherish every
moment and live life fully.
Brad also found joy in racing cars and spending time at the track with friends who became
like brothers. He cherished both the fellowship and the thrill, racing alongside Mark, Sam,
Jerry, and Fran. Their friendship made every lap more exciting and memorable. Brad’s love
for dogs brought him steady companionship and peace. His home was warmed by their
presence, and he was rarely without a loyal companion by his side.
He will be remembered for his generosity, honesty, quiet way of caring, and the faith that
carried him through life’s harder seasons.
As a family, we are grateful for every moment we shared—the simple ones, the funny ones,
and those that revealed Brad’s kind heart. He will be missed deeply and remembered
always.

Melvin L Terning of Cokato passed away on March 30, 2026. He was born on June 7, 1945 to Earl & Effie (Fredricks) Terning in Cokato. He attended Stockholm School and then Cokato High School.
He entered the military after being drafted in 1965. He proudly served his country for 2 years. After serving a year in Vietnam he left the military with a rank of E5.
His love of dirt started at an early age when he hauled gravel in his red wagon on the driveway. His business Terning Excavating was started in 1971 and he has left his knowledge in many projects in the Cokato area. After turning the business over to his son Nate, he still hauled gravel for a number of years. Health issues forced him to retire at the age of 77.
One of his most enjoyable projects was volunteering his knowledge and talents in getting a site prepared for The New Living Word Church in Reeds Spring, MO.
Mel is survived by his wife JoAnne, son Nate (Nicole) Terning, daughter Tammy (Jason) Schwartz, five grandchildren Colin Terning, Jacob Schwartz, Caleb Schwartz, Adrianna Terning & Dylan Terning, one great granddaughter Alina Schwartz, Brother Jerry (Gladys) Terning, sister Barb Krogstad, sister-in-law Arlys Terning, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Earl & Effie Terning, and brother Dave Terning.
A service will take place at Stockholm Lutheran Church on Monday, April 6th at 2:00 PM with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, Minnesota www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534.

Debra Ann (Myers) Ryan arrived on earth on March 24th, 1967 at 5:47 am; she returned to heaven on March 24th, 2026 at 5:51 pm.
Born in Marysville, CA to Leona and Robert C. Myers Sr. as the 3rd child of 4 (Robert Jr, Rhonda, Mike). She grew up all over California, from San Bernadino to Orange County to Yuba City.
In the mid 1970′s Deb’s family settled in Yuba City where she graduated from high school and where her father died July 4th 1980. She was active in her church youth group, and strong in her faith. Deb played the violin in high school and was a lifelong music lover.
Deb met her future husband John while both were watching the California cruise (think 1950′s car movies). After talking all night John was able to get a phone number to call for a date leading to a lifelong relationship. They would have fun skiing (both water & downhill), camping, and fishing as well as other unique and interesting experiences. John quit smoking because Deb bet that he could and she was right. John and Deb were married on July 11th, 1987. They were blessed with 2 beautiful daughters and 5 wonderful grandchildren.
Deb was born with a hole in her heart and overcame years of cardiological issues. A survivor of 5 open heart surgeries and other medical issues, she never considered herself handicapped. Her family often referred to her as a walking miracle. A couple examples, in 2004 a blood clot took her vision resulting in complete blindness. After Drs. said she would not regain her vision, God healed her to having limited vision. While legally blind most people were not aware of her condition. Then in 2008 she had another stroke taking her ability of speech. The first words she regained were “Thank you”. This shocked most of the nurses and staff, as usually the first words regained are swear words. Again, she recovered most of her speech; most unaware of her conditions such as aphasia and apraxia. All of the medical attention she received as a child inspired her to become a nurse so she could take care of others as she was cared for.
As a nurse she enjoyed home health taking care of kids & teenagers. One even asked her to accompany him & his date to prom. After moving to Dassel, MN she accepted a position in the Middle school Health Office where she worked for over 25 years. Deb was a recipient of an ESSA (Excellent Support Staff Award) due to her caring touch with students (many of whom would stop her in public and fondly thank her).
Deb went on multiple mission trips with her church family and enjoyed going on women’s retreats. She was very involved in supporting her family & community in activities such as 4-H, marching band, drumline, Fungus Amongus Community Theater, AWANA, & other church programs. Even being recognized with her family as volunteers of the year in 2010 at DC High School. She volunteered with WLSTA Vets on the Lake and was a Lifetime Member of the VFW Auxiliary. Outside of these involvements, Deb had recently started quilting. She loved a good cup of caribou coffee, ice cold tea, and loved time with friends and family, especially her grandkids.
Strong in her faith and considerate of everyone, she was loved by most people she met and left a lasting impression. With her latest health struggles all the medical staff stopped to thank her for letting them be part of her care team. Some even became new friends and would go out of their way to come visit with her. While recently diagnosed with metastasized renal cell carcinoma, GOD chose to use her heart maladies to bring her home.
Preceded in death by her sister Rhonda, father Robert Myers, stepfather Richard Lawson, mother Leona, brother Robert, brother Mike, and grandparents.
Survived by her husband John, daughters Sarah (Erik) Peterson and Kaitlyn Ryan, grandchildren Noelle, Madelyn, Emily, Evan and Alaina Peterson, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. She was a beloved wife, mom, sister, friend, aunt and grandma. She will be missed by all her family and friends who are happy she is home and no longer struggling through pain. She will be lovingly remembered and cherished forever.
In lieu of plants and flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association or Cancer Society.
Visitation and Celebration of Life will be hosted at Highland Church in Cokato, MN. Visitation will be Friday 4/10, 4-7pm, followed by a prayer service. Celebration of Life Saturday, 4/11 at 11am.
For those unavailable to attend physically the services will be streamed via this link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/RwZCuF9RPKc?si=BgNOuL5IEQbps44b
Can also find on Highland’s live stream page.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, Minnesota 320 286 2534 swansonpeterson.com