Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

LaVonne Louise Youngren was born May 7, 1940 in Slayton, MN to John and Ruthe (Halsne) Carlson. Together with her parents and siblings, they moved to a farm in Swanville, MN. Lavonne graduated from Swanville High School and attended cosmetology school and then found her passion in the floral industry after attending Anoka Hennepin Technical College.

LaVonne met Timothy Youngren while working at the Cokato Hospital after Tim’s water-skiing accident and they married on September 24, 1960. They were blessed with three children: Cindy, Scott and Wendy. As a family, they shared their lives working an active dairy and crop farm north of Waverly. LaVonne was an expert at calf raising and taught the kids life skills of gardening, canning, bee keeping, sewing, cooking and baking.

LaVonne had a passion for her profession as a florist and created beautiful arrangements for her kids and grandkids proms, graduations and weddings! Lavonne was a jack of all trades and held positions including being a hairstylist, working at the Wright County Fair, Untiedt’s Vegetable Farm, Carlson’s Apple Orchard and as a hospital clerk, where she met the love of her life, Tim.

LaVonne enjoyed spending her time with many different activities including fishing, snowmobiling, camping, and RV travel. Lavonne traveled throughout the US, Germany, New Zealand and Israel. LaVonne was strong in her faith and was actively committed to the activities and service to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. LaVonne enjoyed spending time with her flowers and gardening, enjoying her grandkids and watching Laker sports and music performances.

Over the years Lavonne was involved in many organizations in the area including the Waverly QQ Club, Wright County Homemakers, 4-H and Waverly Wanders Snowmobile Club.

Survivors include her children: Cindy (Roger) Heuer, Scott (Kim) Youngren and Wendy (Ryan) Youngren Doran. Grandchildren: Alyssa (Adam)Farrell, Joshua (Brittany) Myers, David (Navin) Youngren, Courtney (Travis) Duxbury, Derek (Emily) Youngren, Carl (Eillie) Heuer, Dylan (Kennedy) Youngren, and Great-Grandchildren: Kayden, Grayson, Haylen, Brodee, Addisyn, Evelyn, Charleigh, Maren, Myla, Maggie, Lucille, Julianne, Franklin, Theodore, Henrik, Amelia and Adeline. Foreign Exchange Daughter: Tessa Taylor.

Preceded in death by her husband Tim, great-granddaughter Rosalie Heuer and many other close family members.

Services will be held at 12:00 PM, Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota with visitation starting at 11:00 AM, one hour prior to service.

Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Howard Lake, Minnesota. #320-543-3401 www.swansonpeterson.com

John Henry Hurley III was born to John and Fay Hurley on January 1, 1959.

He grew up with Mike, Pat, Cheryl and Laura as siblings.

John married Paula and fathered John, Jed and Kenny.

He had the joy of being Grandpa to Tyler, Hayle, Keenan, Maddie, Audree, Jude, Keegan. Lyla. Knox, Ellis, Isaiah and Isaac.

He had the great joy of being Great Grandpa to Vivica, Thomas, Landon and Jaelan.

John passed away at home on January 19, 2025 at the age of 66.

He will be dearly missed.

Service: Saturday, January 25th at St. John’s Catholic Education Center – 17260 US Hwy 12, Cokato
11 AM Catholic Mass for those who wish to attend. 1 PM – 3 PM Everyone welcome to come celebrate John’s life with us.

Patricia Darlene VanBenschoten
6/9/1944 – 1/8/2025

Patricia Darlene (Ellefson) VanBenschoten was born on June 9, 1944 to Ernest & Eleanor Ellefson in Pipestone, Minnesota and grew up on a farm near Sherman, South Dakota. “Patty Girl” was the fifth born, but first girl amongst the nine children.

Pat attended a one room schoolhouse close to the family farm through sixth grade. She graduated high school in 1962 in Garretson, SD. Her first job while in high school was with Bethany Home Assisted Living in Sioux Falls, SD. After high school, she attended the Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI) in Golden Valley, MN before attending the Swedish School of Nursing in Minneapolis, MN.

After nursing for a while, Pat joined the Volunteers in Service to American (now known as AmeriCorps VISTA) in Arkansas where she helped under privileged Americans. Upon finishing her service, she became a private nurse to Mrs. Morris T. Baker. She really enjoyed this job as they traveled together, and it was on one of these trips that she met the love of her life, Jerry VanBenschoten.

Pat and Jerry said their “I Dos” in Miami, FL on August 8, 1974. Together they moved to Minnesota to be closer to Pat’s family and finally settled in Howard Lake. She continued her career at the 3M Factory in Hutchinson, MN until her retirement.

On October 15, 1981, Pat and Jerry welcomed their daughter Sara, who completed their family. She was overjoyed when her first grandchild, Nora, was born in 2015 and even more so when Jasper came along in 2019.

After 44 years in the family home, she moved into The Lodge of Howard Lake. She enjoyed spending time with her fellow residents and really felt at home. Her hobbies included spending time with family and friends, traveling, gardening, bird watching, doing puzzles and reading her Bible.

Pat passed away unexpectedly on January 8, 2025 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.

Pat is survived by daughter Sara (Will) Selvidge, grandchildren Nora & Jasper, siblings Bob (Dorly) Ellefson, Luanne (David) Jorgenson, Nancy Corpe, Ruth Lindstrom, Connie Ellefson and many extended relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gerald and her siblings Jeff Ellefson, Dean Ellefson, Ron Ellefson and Lois Ellefson.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Living Waters Christian Fellowship (312 Pacific Ave) in Waverly, Minnesota with visitation one hour prior.

Michael James McLane, age 67, peacefully passed away in Annandale, Minnesota, while under Hospice Care in his sister Marilyn’s home.

Born in Graceville, Minnesota on July 18,1957, Michael entered the arms of Jesus on January 7th, 2025, surrounded by family and friends.

Known for his gentle spirit Mike had a love of all God’s creatures, including his beloved dogs, cats, chickens and even a pot-bellied pig named PIG.

He enjoyed the thrill of riding Harleys and created many memories and lasting friendships through many numerous charity motorcycle rides.

Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Michael’s charming Scottish -Irish wit brought joy to everyone around him.

He was fortunate to have neighbors in his hometown of Sandstone, Minnesota, who were like family.

Sadly, he is preceded in death by his parents, Buzz and Marion and stepfather Harley Mundy and sister Melanie McLane. He is survived by siblings Marilyn McLane, Margery McLane, Mitchell (Missy) McLane, Leanne Mundy Vosberg, Steven Mundy and Monica (John) Husmann along with many loving family members and friends.

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

JoAnne Marie Sigman
10/31/1957 – 12/29/2024

Joanne Marie Sigman was born October 31, 1957 to Henry & Betty Ford in Minneapolis, MN. She grew up in Brooklyn Park and moved around quite a bit before settling in Fairhaven in 1999.

She had a love of animals, gardening & landscaping. She enjoyed visits to Florida and was a wonderful friend to many. Her home always had an open door for visitors.

JoAnne is survived by her children: Kory (Melody) Conway, Jessie Conway, Jaryl Sigman, Ryan (Kim) Zepplin and Dan Carriveau and brother Tim Ford, many grandchildren including: Lexi, Ivory, Maggie, Keegan, Finnigan and many nieces and nephews.

Proceeded in death by loving husband Wesley, sisters: Mary Sorenson and Cathy Joachim and her parents Henry and Betty Ford.

Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 6, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake, Minnesota with visitation starting one hour prior.