Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

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

Darrin Keith Blanchette Sr.
December 22, 1966 – May 8, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Darrin Blanchette Sr., who died on May 8, 2025, at the age of 58.

Born on December 22, 1966 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Darrin was the child of Harold and Karen Blanchette. Darrin grew up in Howard Lake, Minnesota. He was confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake in 1981 and graduated from Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School in 1985. Darrin served in the US Army for 20 years and retired in 2005. During his time in the military, he was stationed throughout the United States and overseas in Korea. He deployed twice; once during Operation Desert Storm and once during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Darrin enjoyed fishing, cooking, watching WWE, and Minnesota sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings. Most importantly, Darrin loved being a father and grandfather.

Darrin is survived by his children, Daisy Ann (Joseph Hessing), Darrin Jr. (Ariel), and Lilyann Hope, grandchildren, Eloise, Bennett, and Leo, brother, Harold Jr. (LuAnn), grandma, Marie Longfors, several aunts, uncles and cousins, other cherished family and friends, and girlfriend, Geraldine.

Darrin was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Sr. and Karen, and several grandparents.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 4pm-7pm at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, MN. The funeral will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11am at St. James in Howard Lake, MN. The burial will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on a date still to be determined.

If you are looking to honor Darrin in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Stop Soldier Suicide, which is a nonprofit whose mission meant a lot to Darrin.

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

Clarice Marie Mattson, age 92, passed away on May 2, 2025. Clarice was born in Kingston, MN on February 16, 1933 to Clarence and Elvera Johnson. The family moved to Darwin a few years later. She graduated from Dassel High School, where she met her high school sweetheart, Jim Mattson.

Jim and Clarice were married on June 6, 1953 and built a home together in Darwin until they moved to the home they’d been dreaming of in 1965, “Peaceful Acres” north of Dassel. Together they made it a wonderful place to grow up and share with others. Clarice was the heart of the home, filling it with love and making it a warm and welcoming place for anyone who visited. She loved decorating and entertaining; holidays often included someone who would otherwise be alone, but Clarice welcomed them in like family. She was also a dental assistant in Dassel for many years, loving her job and enjoying all the people she met and cared for there. Clarice will be remembered for her sweet smile, her encouraging words, her selfless attitude, her love and prayers for her family and love for her Savior, Jesus.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Jim. She is survived by her children Dayna (Jim) Reimers, Brian (Veronica) Mattson, Trish (Tim) Huhn, 10 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She is dearly loved by her family and will be missed every day.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, May 9, 2025 at Dassel Covenant Church with visitation 1 hour prior to services. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

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