Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Debra (Debby) Ann Dahl, of Cokato, passed away at her home on October 4th, 2023 from natural causes at the age of 69.
Debby was born July 13th, 1954 in Coos Bay, Oregon to Raymond and Betty (Trahan) Barnard. She and her husband of 50 years, Keith, were married in Gold Hill, Oregon. In 1980 they moved to Maple Lake, Minnesota where they made their home and raised their three sons. Debby had a variety of jobs over the years where she made friends and demonstrated a strong work ethic. Her last job before retirement was at Honeywell where she would print and perform quality assurance on circuit boards for different computer applications.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Raymond and Betty Barnard; brother Dennis; sister Patty; nephew James Carter; mother and father-in-law Ruth and Virgil Dahl Sr.; niece Sherry Bosma; sister-in-law Sheila Clayborn; brothers in law Kurt and Bruce Dahl, Richard Bosma; and great nephew Derek Engelke.
Debby is survived by her loving husband Keith; sons: Shayne (Susie) of Clearwater, Tim (Alyssa) of Monticello, and Travis (Jenny) of Kingston; grandchildren: Damien, Vanessa and Sommer; sisters in law: Deloris, Evelyn (Edwin), Nancy and Bette; brothers in law: Gary and Virgil Jr.; many nieces, nephews, and great nieces/nephews.
Per Debby’s wishes no services will be held at this time. Her care has been entrusted to Swanson Peterson Funeral Home. www.swansonpeterson.com. Additionally, her family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at St. Croix Hospice.

Mike passed on September 21, 2023. He was born to Baultis and Eleanor (Schoen) Ackerman on July 23, 1943, in Watkins MN, the youngest of seven children. Mike graduated from Kimball High School in 1961. In February 1964, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for three years in the Army Med Corps as a Med Reports and Records Tech and Med Evac Specialist and attained the rank of Sergeant. Mike worked for an industrial finance company after discharge from the Army and met his wife Mary in Minneapolis in April of 1967. Mike and Mary (Mahal) were wed in St. Anne’s Church in Wabasso MN on October 12, 1968. They moved to Cokato, MN from St. Paul in early summer 1971. Their son Javen was born August 10, 1974.

Mike enjoyed competitive trap and black powder shooting, golf, photography, and was involved in Community Theater for over thirty years.
Mike believed in giving back to the community and soon after moving to Cokato became a member of the Cokato Chamber of Commerce. He served as Secretary and also as President. Mike volunteered for the Cokato Corn Carnival for forty-six years, including nine years as Corn Carnival Chairman. In 2003 Mike was recognized for dedicated service to the carnival. He served for many years on the Community Chest Board, the Historical Society Board, and served one term on the City Council. Mike also was a member of Cokato American Legion Post 209 and served for 6 terms as Finance Officer and several terms as Post Commander. He was recognized for dedication and leadership by Post 209 in 2014. He also served on the Post 209 Honor Guard. He volunteered to be a member of the DC High School football chain gang for 37 seasons. Most recently, he served on the Village Ranch Board of Directors. Mike and Mary were Grand Marshalls for the 2014 Corn Carnival Parade and Mike was named 2017 Citizen of The Year by the Cokato Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is survived by Mary, his wife of nearly 55 years, his son Javen (Erin) and grandchildren Thessaly, and Torbin, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Berenice, Dorothy, Laura, Janice, Barbara, and his brother Baultis Jr.

A visitation will take place from 4-6 with parish prayers at 6:30 pm on Monday, October 2, 2023 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, MN and continue 1 hour prior to an 11:00 memorial mass at St. John’s Catholic Church in Darwin, MN on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Mike’s preferred charity, Believet Canine Service Partners (believet.org) or a charity of your choosing. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Kenneth John Bobrowske was born April 1, 1939, to John and Anna (Uecker) Bobrowske at their home in Albion Township. He was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Middleville Township. Kenneth spent his first 8 grades in the one-room school at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and school, and was confirmed after 8th grade. Kenneth enjoyed his early years on the farm. He graduated Howard Lake High School in 1956, and then went on to college at Concordia Lutheran College in Seward Nebraska graduating in 1960. After college, he taught the 6th grade for many years in the parochial school system. He left teaching and went to work 3M in Hutchinson, MN for several years. He transitioned away from 3M to working in a tool room at Entegris in Chaska, MN. When he retired, Kenneth enjoyed taking vacation trips with his family throughout Minnesota and many other states. Kenneth was a sports enthusiast, especially all Minnesota teams. He also enjoyed the fellowship of his friends in Howard Lake and Cokato. Kenneth was survived by a former Spouse, five children, multiple grandchildren, and two nephews. He was preceded in death in by his parents John and Anna, and his sister Ardis. Kenneth went to be with the Lord on September 21, 2023, at the age of 84.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, MN 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Richard Dean Eckhoff (Dick), age 82, of Cokato, MN peacefully passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023 in Dassel, MN from cancer. He was born on April 9th, 1941 to Mary Helen and William Eckhoff in Yakima, WA.
He married Judith Ardelle Eckhoff (Skjegstad) in 1959 on October 24th who was his childhood sweetheart since they were 15 years old and they had 63 years together. He graduated from Dunwoody Institute as a Master electrician, studied engineering at the University of Minnesota, and worked for NSP (Excel Energy) at various locations throughout the Midwest. He completed his career as owner of Eckhoff Services, an electrical engineering business. In 1974, the family moved from Coon Rapids to Cokato, MN to their family farm where they planted an apple orchard and specialized in polled Hereford cattle. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, served as an elder and managed the Benevolence program which helped many local families in need. He was an active volunteer at Pioneer Park in Annandale and an avid Case tractor collector and history enthusiast.
He is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Carrie Broenen, Lori Richter, Pamela Meyer (Brad), Jill Eckhoff and his sons Douglas Eckhoff (Ling Ling), Dale Eckhoff, and David Eckhoff (Melissa). Also survived by grandchildren Carl, Christopher, Abbey, Boen, Ruien, Colten, Benjamin, Zachary, Jesse, Aaron, Lauren, Justin, Michelle, Adam, Rachael, Nicholas, Madilyn, and great grandchildren Fischer, Natalie, Mackenzie, Everett, Eleanor, Sawyer, and Griffin. He was preceded in passing by his parents, siblings Roger, Barbara and grandchild Andrew.
A funeral service will take place at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 22, 2023 with visitation 1 hour prior at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and Howard Lake, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Norma Luntina (Korpela) Larson was born at the home of parents John and Minnie Korpela on May 15th, 1922. She was confirmed and baptized at the Apostolic Church in Kingston. She attended grade school at Dewey country school and later graduated from Cokato High School in the class of 1940. After graduation, she worked in a restaurant in Minneapolis and later did defense work at McClintock Clock Company where they manufactured instrument panels of B-17 and B-29 long range bombers during the Second World War. She was married to Melvin Larson of Cokato on June 10th, 1950. They made their home on a farm in Knapp and were blessed with three children. Melvin and Norma were members of North Crow River Lutheran Church where Norma was active in WELCA. She also was a 4-H leader of the Knapp Busy Bees for six years. In 1975, Melvin and Norma made a month-long trip to Sweden to visit relatives. Norma loved visiting with family, friends, and neighbors. Norma was a fun-loving mother who spent time going on adventures with her children. She always wanted to hang out at the Larson Campground, where she would enjoy great company, food, and campfires. Her last, great campfire outing was the evening two days before her passing. Norma is survived by her three children, Lynette (Jeff) Bye, Shirley (David) Cole, and Dennis (Tara Opsal) Larson; four nieces, Gloria Dobratz, Linda Leinonen, Patricia Karels, Kathy Seiffert; nephews, Bill Korpela and Marlyn Hempel; six grandchildren, Nicole (Jeremy) Tupa, Harrison (Evelyn Lopez) Menke, Corey (Megan) Bye, Kris Bye, Rachel (Michael) Ford, and Taylor (Mike) Monson; and five great-grandchildren, Anthony, Joseph, and Vincent Tupa, Nikolai Bye, and Mateo Menke. Norma peacefully passed away at Buffalo Hospital on the morning of September 18th, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Minnie Korpela, husband, Melvin, four brothers, five sisters, three nieces, and a nephew.
A funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 22, 2023 with visitation from 4-7 on Thursday, September 21, 2023 and continuing 1 hour prior to services on Friday, all at North Crow River Lutheran Church (45 Quinnell Ave SW, Cokato, Minnesota 55321) Internment is at the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Cokato, MN. Arrangements are with Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534