Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Shirley Ann Snyder Hall passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 5, 2026.
Shirley was born on August 6, 1934 in Tracy, Minnesota to parents Ole and Mabel Rykhus. Shirley graduated from Tracy High School in 1952. Soon after, she married Charles Lawrence Snyder and moved to Northern Minnesota. Shirley was blessed with four children: Linda, Larry, Nancy, and Mallie.
Shirley lived her life with strength, persistence, and love. As a mother, she attended the Eveleth Technical School to achieve a degree in accounting. Shirley was a talented cook. She ran her own restaurant, the D & S Cafe, from 1973 to 1981. She loved to travel. Above all else, Shirley adored her friends and family. She treasured her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and loved to spend time laughing with all of them.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Ole and Mabel Rykhus; her siblings Mildred (Orie) Sorbel, Ethel (Pete) Peterson, Mike (Jeannette) Rykhus, Pat (Luella) Rykhus, and Don (Vivian) Rykhus; her husband Charles Snyder, her son Lawrence Snyder, and her great-granddaughter Guinevere Shirley Johnson.
Shirley is survived by her children, Linda Snyder, Nancy Snyder, Mallie (Philip) Johnson, and son-in-law Dan Nelson; her grandchildren, Michael Nelson, Meghan (Nels) Raisanen, Brendon (Ada) Johnson, Kailee (Matthew) McColl, Emmanuel (Layla) Johnson, Brinna, Evette, Jenna, Nicodemus, Sara, Evan, Izabellah, Walter, Riley, Zac, and Timothy Johnson; her great-grandchildren Adele Nelson, Julia McColl, Yance McColl, Niilo Raisanen, Hugo Johnson, Henrik Raisanen, Torben Johnson, Norman McColl, Eskel Johnson, Wesley McColl, and baby Raisanen on the way; special nieces and nephews; and many other friends and family members.

Dorothy Gina Wood, age 88, of Cokato passed away on May 3, 2026. She was born on August 8, 1937, to Bernhardt (Benny) and Mayrene (Paulson) Estby. Dorothy grew up in the Brooten area and graduated from Glenwood High School.
Dorothy’s adventurous spirit brought her to the Twin Cities where she met the love of her life Vernon Wood. Dorothy and Vernon were married on October 19, 1968, and moved to their forever home north of Cokato in the late 1960s.
Dorothy worked various jobs in the area and retired from Hutchinson Technology. Her passion was gardening, especially flowers. She was always willing to share a plant or let you pick a bouquet. Dorothy also enjoyed bird watching, fishing, hunting for agates, music, reading and going to flea markets. She always looked forward to visiting with friends and neighbors.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Vernon Wood; daughter-in-law, Maria Bistodeau; grandson, Brandon Chamberlain and great granddaughter Aubrey Parenteau; her brothers, Wayne, Obert, Jarnell, and Andrew Estby; and sister, Betty Lacktorin.
She is survived by her children, Gary (Joanne) Chamberlain, Gordon Chamberlain, Jim (Bonnie) Bistodeau, Darcy (Ivan) Maclagan, Jeffrey Bistodeau, and Teak (Delight) Wood; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her siblings, Margaret Locke, Beverly Wailes, and Charles Estby.
A memorial service will take place at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 16th at the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato with visitation one hour prior to service.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota 320 286 2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Dale Lester Gallup was born on January 16, 1930 in Maple Lake, MN to Arthur E. and Esther F. (Pugh) Gallup. He grew up in Minneapolis, MN and graduated in 1948 at Central High School.
He worked for J.R. Clark Co. in Spring Park, MN; who made Ironing tables. Clark’s was sold to Litton Ind., who made microwave ovens and patio furniture.
Dale Joined the Air Force and was stationed in Iceland and England. While stationed at Forbes National airbase in Topeka, KS he met his wife, Aledean; with whom he celebrated 66 years of marriage in March.
Dale loved to dance, and enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Dale passed away on May 28, 2021 at Pacifica Senior living in Fort Myers, FL. He had reached the age of 91 years.
Survivors include wife, Aledean of Fort Myers, FL; sister, Cheryl (Jim) Oviatt of Vancouver, WA; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A private interment will be held for Dale and Aledean at the cemetery in Howard Lake Minnesota in the spring.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota 320 286 2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Aledean Bernita Gallup was born on October 9, 1933 in Barnes, Kansas to Kenneth (Babe) and Thelma (Sedlacek) Cook. She graduated from Barnes High School in 1951.

Aledean worked in Manhattan and Topeka, KS at different insurance companies. While working in Topeka she met her husband Dale who was stationed in Topeka at Forbes National Airbase.

Aledean moved to Minnesota and started working at Streater Store Fixtures where she retired after 32 years. Dale and Aledean then moved to Ft. Myers, FL and enjoyed the warm weather for the last 20 years.

Aledean passed away on 12/28/2025 at the age of 92.

Survivors include sister Mildred of Ft. Myers, FL, sister-in-law Cheryl (Jim) Oviatt of Vancouver, WA, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A private interment will be held for Dale and Aledean at the cemetery in Howard Lake Minnesota in the spring.

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

Gregory Hale Hawkins, 67, of Cokato, MN passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loved ones on March 25th, 2026. Greg was born to Raymond and Joanne Hawkins on May 29th, 1958 and was the second child of three.

Greg was known for his big smile, sense of humor, being a man of all trades and most of all his warm heart. Throughout his life, he worked many different jobs and took pride in every one of them. From lawn care, to driving truck, welding, and building plow trucks, he was never afraid of hard work. He was skilled with his hands and could fix or build just about anything. His creativity and determination were qualities that people admired and depended on.

Beyond his work, he will be remembered most for his kindness and generosity. He was always the first to show up when a friend had a project, needed advice, or simply needed support. He gave his time freely, asked for nothing return, and found true joy in helping others succeed.

His legacy lives on in the many lives he impacted, the projects he helped complete, and the memories shared by those who were lucky to know him. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Greg is preceded in death by his father Raymond Hawkins and his mother Joanne Hawkins. He is survived by his loving wife Betsy Hawkins, children Nathan (Gina) Thompson, Jessica Crum, Trista Bistodeau, Samantha Hawkins, and Claire (Ian) Jarman; 11 grandchildren and his sisters Pamela (Dave) Beckius and Terri Ann (Jim) Diede, 5 nieces and nephews and 6 great nieces and nephews and many more family and friends.