Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Dennis Duane Ortquist

Born: September 3, 1929
Died: March 23, 2018, Cokato Minnesota surrounded by his family

A memorial service will take place Wednesday March 28th at 11am at Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. Visitation will take place on Tuesday evening, March 27th from 4-7 pm at the church with a prayer service at 6:30 pm.

Dennis was born September 3rd, 1929 to Carl and Ellen (Erickson) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the oldest of 9 children. Dennis grew up in the French Lake area and graduated from Annandale High School in 1947.

Post graduation, Dennis was drafted into the United States Marines Corps and served 2 years. Dennis was a ‘jack of all trades’ enjoying farming, heavy equipment operations, steel building construction and professional baking with his in-laws at the Cokato Bakery.

Dennis was married to Marlys Salmela on January 13th, 1952. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage together and had 8 children, 26 grandchildren, and 40 great grandchildren.

Dennis loved his community and volunteered 28 years of his time to serve the Cokato Fire Department, was a frequent visitor of the Cokato Town and Country Club enjoying many rounds of golf. He traveled throughout the United States with his bowling buddies playing in various tournaments. Dennis was a member of the American Legion and active member of the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. Dennis greatly loved his family and spending time with them. He thoroughly enjoyed helping his children with their farming enterprises.

Dennis is survived by his wife Marlys, children Rene Ortquist, Robin (Tim) Kelly, Rise (Ron) Beckman, Rori (Doug) Carlson, Ruthie (Ron) Klima, Reid (Cheryl), Rahn (Pamela), Raquel (Chad) Kirchoff, and Blake Ortquist, 26 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. Brothers: Marvin (Donna), Robert (Mary Jo), Chuck (Karen). Sisters: Lois Nelson, Doris Neunfeldt, Paulette Vogel. Sister-in-law Mary Jean Ortquist.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents (Carl and Ellen), sister Jean Rusling, brother David, granddaughter Ria Beckman, and great grandson Austin Carlen.

Loren George Borg, 83, entered heaven on March 22, 2018 surrounded by his family and the loving prayers of so many. Throughout his whole life and up to his last breath, Loren praised God for His blessings and trusted God’s plan for him.
Loren was born on March 22, 1935 in Watertown, MN to Edward and Inez Borg. He was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN where he was a member his entire life.
Growing up, Loren lived and worked at his family farm in Cokato. He had one brother, Darrell, who passed away of polio at the age of 17. During Loren’s senior year in high school he assumed responsibility for his family’s farm when his father passed away. Through hard work and determination, Loren still graduated with his high school class as well as graduated from the University of Minnesota in only seven quarters.
At college, Loren met Helen Viren in an Industrial Psychology class. They dated six months and were wed on December 11, 1965 in Duluth, MN. After marriage, Loren and Helen lived in Cloquet, MN where he worked at Wood Conversion as an Industrial Engineer. In the spring of 1966, they moved to Cokato to focus solely on farming where he expanded the business.
Loren and Helen had three children Steven, Kevin and Sara and seven grandchildren. He delighted having his family together and built a lake home as a gathering place for family and friends for generations to come. Loren was a caring friend to so many, including the close and lasting friendships that were formed during their 24 years wintering in South Padre Island, Texas.
Loren maintained a steadfast faith and gratefulness to God for all His blessings. In his last days, Loren prayed words of thankfulness to God and shared his belief and trust in Him. He proclaimed: “This is my final message- Believe it! Believe!” Loren’s faithfulness is the greatest legacy he leaves for his family.
Loren is survived by his loving wife Helen, three children Steven, Kevin (Jill), Sara (Craig) Holje, and seven grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with visitation from 4-8 PM on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home (655 Broadway Ave. S, Cokato, MN 55321) and continuing 1 hr prior to services at church. www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Corrine (“Corky”) Harriet Skrukrud, age 83, of Howard Lake passed away March 13, 2018 at Waconia Ridgeview Hospital with family and friends by her side. She was born February 14, 1935 to Kenneth and Stella (Benson) Skrukrud, the oldest of 3 children. She grew up, was baptized and confirmed in Granite Falls, MN, and graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1953. Corrine attended Mankato College and then worked in the Social Services field for over 25 years including Lutheran Social Services in Minneapolis, Wright Direction in Waverly, and Wright County Human Services in Buffalo. She was also church secretary at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake from 1978-1983.

Corrine was married to Roger Lothringer for 39 years from 1957-1996. Together they had 2 girls, Tami and Michelle, who were born in Bloomington. The family lived on a hobby farm outside of Waverly during their early elementary years, then located to Howard Lake. Corrine’s love, support, and pride for her children and grandchildren were always evident and foremost in her life. She enjoyed living at Shoreline Commons in Howard Lake for the past decade and gained many dear friends who watched over her in the last years.

Corky was an avid reader, often times reading several books a week, until her sight was compromised due to glaucoma. She also enjoyed crafting, decorating, gardening, and loved beautiful music. When she was younger she loved riding horses. She loved moving back to her family homestead in Granite Falls in 1996 and also loved spending time at the Zander farm in Howard Lake. Corky also had a great passion and pride for her Norwegian and Swedish heritage and was able to visit her ancestral homeland in 1997 for the trip of a lifetime.

Corrine was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake until she moved in 1996 then was a member of Hawk Creek Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart.

Her family and friends will miss her love, compassion, spunk, and strength. “Takk for Alt, Corky. Now rest in peace.”

Corrine is survived by her children Tami Zander (Jed) of Howard Lake and Michelle Gehrz (Jon) of Plymouth and her grandchildren Tyler Zander (Elizabeth), Peter Zander, Amber Zander, Christopher Zander, and Nate Gehrz. She is also survived by her brother, Ron Skrukrud of Olivia, Karen Johnson (Lynn) of Granite Falls, and her nieces Nicole DeBoer, Ann Schlenner, and Holly Johnson.

Corrine was preceded in death by her parents, ex-husband, and grandchild, Benjamin Gehrz.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, March 24th at 3pm, with visitation 1 hour prior to service, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 625 12th Ave, Howard Lake, MN 55349. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Carol L. Anderson, age 77, of Cokato passed away March 5, 2018 in her home with her family by her side. She was born September 24, 1940 to Reuben and Mae (Combs) Engel, the last of 3 girls, and a younger brother. She grew up in Howard Lake, MN, was baptized at Howard Lake Christian church, and graduated from Howard Lake high school in 1958. Carol attended the University of Minnesota, took classes at St. Cloud State University, and was a graduate of Model School of Hair Design in Minneapolis. She started her own business, Carol’s Country Parlor beauty shop, in 1973.
She was married to Dale Anderson for over 50 years & they had 3 children, and 4 grandchildren. She enjoyed watching her grandkids play sports, family get-togethers, and spending time with friends. She loved to travel both within the US and abroad, including a trip to France with her sister Nancy, and attending her niece’s wedding in Sweden.
Carol was a member at Cokato Lutheran church for which she made numerous quilts for high school seniors & overseas missions, prepared food for the Corn Carnival booth, was a funeral server, and helped with the Parish Pulse. She was an avid reader & member of Friends of Cokato Library, and belonged to the Sew Friendly Quilt Guild. She was honored to sew apparel for the Renaissance festival, and had fun volunteering at the Winstock country music festival for many years.
Her family and friends will miss her positive attitude, kindheartedness & sense of humor.
Carol is survived by her husband Dale, children Scott Anderson, Jess (Angie) Anderson, Kim Anderson and grandchildren Jack, Taylor, Aric & Lauren.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents and all her siblings.
A memorial service will take place on Monday, March 12th at 11am, with visitation 1 hour prior to service, at Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church, 280 3rd Street SW, Cokato, MN. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Lennie Jeffrey Anderson suddenly passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at the age of 53 years.
A lifelong resident of Knapp Minnesota, Lennie graduated from Dassel Cokato High School. Shortly after graduation he began working for the Lantto brothers in French Lake assisting in their dairy operation. In addition he worked as a crop farmer on the Anderson homestead. Throughout the years, to supplement his income, he enjoyed working at various Cokato Businesses including Cenex, Holt Motors, and Flatout Tire Service. He acquired the family farm upon the death of his parents and expanded the operation.
Lennie served on the Cemetery Board at North Crow Lutheran Church.
In his spare time Lennie enjoyed being outdoors, riding his 4-wheeler, cutting wood, and occasionally hunting and fishing. He particularly loved spending time with close friends.
Lennie was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Virginia Anderson. He is survived by his four brothers: Elroy (Roxann), Bradley (Mary), Larry (Bev), Mike (Kara), many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He will be greatly missed.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 5, 2018 at the North Crow River Lutheran Church in Knapp, MN, with visitation Sunday, March 4 from 4-8 PM and continuing 1 hour prior to services, all at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato.