Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Luella Mae Norberg (Mrs. Donald) passed away at Cokato Manor on September 28, 2017
Funeral Service: 11 AM Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Elim Mission Church of Cokato.
Visitation: begins at 10 AM on Tuesday
Interment: Sunset Cemetery.

LuElla Mae (Halverson) Norberg was born on February 18, 1931 in rural Kirkhoven, Minnesota, to Roy and Agnes (Halen) Halverson. She graduated high school from Kerkhoven in 1950 and went on to college graduating from St. Cloud State and North Park University, Chicago, Il.

From an early age LuElla decided she wanted to be a teacher. She used her teaching skills as a missionary in Ecuador for six years teaching English, bible lessons in Spanish, and music. Upon leaving the mission field she taught at Cokato Elementary School until her retirement. She was always pleased to have people in the community acknowledge her as their former teacher.

In 1998 she met a widower, Donald Norberg and three months later they were married. The couple resided at his farm north of Cokato in the summer, and Bibleville in Alamo TX in the winter. They have been inseparable for 19 years.

LuElla passed away at Cokato Manor on September 28, 2017. She had reached the age of 86 years, 2 months and 18 days.

LuElla is survived by her husband Donald, step children; Steve (Mickee) Norberg of ElCajon, CA, Sharon (Roger) Henry of Billings, MT, David (Kim) Norberg of ElCajon, CA, Ruth (Larry) Bachmeier of Zimmerman, and Kay (Gary) DeSmith of Cokato, and their families. Siblings; Fran Weiland of Atwater, Donald (Lucille) Halverson of Maplewood, Clarence (Gerry) of Kerkhoven, and their families.

Helen Irene Melquist of Cokato Passed away at Dassel Lakeside Nursing Home on August 27, 2017.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Thursday August 31, 2017 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato
Visitation: 1hr prior to service at church
Interment: Cokato City Cemetery

Helen Irene (Wendolek) Melquist, was born January 26, 1927 at home in Hale Township of McLeod County, Minnesota to Theophil and Sophie (Pilarski) Wendolek. She grew up on a farm in Hale Township and attended country school to the 8th grade.
On November 7, 1945 Helen married Lloyd Melquist. They had met on a blind date some time earlier. They were married at the parish house in Silver Lake, Minnesota. The wedding day entailed sunshine in the morning, rain in the afternoon and by evening snow. From this union they were blessed with 4 children, Dianne, Loren, Darlene, and Larry. The couple moved to their farm, northeast of Cokato. Helen worked with her husband milking cows. Raising pigs, chickens, steers, cash crops, along with canning many home grown garden vegetables. Helen loved to cook and care for her family. She was well known for her great cooking, 2 of her well known dishes, made for her family each year were, potato sausage, which she learned from her mother-in-law Alice, and Czarnina (duck soup), a recipe passed down from her mother.
In her earlier years, she worked at Johnson produce, Northland Canning, and Fabra-Tek. She also was secretary over the farm and sawmill business and worked alongside Lloyd, running a sawmill for 40 years doing custom sawing and manufacturing pallets, and doing whatever to make a richer life for her family. Along with all the hard work of the farm, she enjoyed raising her children, making pies, cookies and banana bread, playing softball, working at the Evangelical Lutheran Church stand during the Corn Carnival, helping to prepare quilt blocks and going out dancing with her husband, friends and relatives. She served pie on Presidents Day for the Cokato Chamber of Commerce. Her soul was filled with love and the times she was able to spend with her children, grand-children, great-grand-children, great-great- grand children. Helen was a lifelong member of Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Helen passed away at Dassel Lakeside Nursing Home on August 27, 2017. She had reached the age of 90 years 7 months and 1 day. Survivors include; 3 children: Dianne (Bob) Zitzloff, Darlene (Jim Stigen, fiancé) Larson, both of Cokato, and Larry Melquist of Minneapolis. Grandchildren: Darwin and Blaine Zitzloff, Josie Koivisto, Jake Pettit, Janna Stigen, Angela Templin. Great-grandchildren: Devin, Ryan, and Cheyenne Zitzloff, Deserae Peterson, Dylan and Caleigh Zitzloff, T.J., Charlie, Martin and Brock Koivisto. Addison, Ava, and Breck Pettit, Gracey and Breana Templin. Great Great Grand child Carter Peterson. Many Nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by: parents Sophie and Theophil Wendolek, husband Lloyd Melquist, son Loren Melquist, grandson Scott Melquist. 3 Brothers: Donald, Albert, and Theophil Wendolek.

Glessing, Fern Kathryn
age 91, of Cokato, passed away on August 28, 2017. She was born in Cokato on August 20, 1926 to Arthur and Hilda Peterson. She was united in marriage to Jack Glessing on March 6, 1948 at Stockholm Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with 3 children, Kathryn, Scott, and Jackie. They made their home and business in Cokato.
Fern was member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed bowling, traveling, playing cards, and especially spending time with her family.
Survived by her children, Kathryn Glessing of Minneapolis, Scott (Gail) Glessing of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Jackie (Rick) Twardy of Cokato, grandchildren, Erin (Brad) Halonen, Ashley (Matt) Robertson, Cole (Jessi) Johnson, Skyler Glessing, and Ryann Twardy, great-grandchildren, Brynn, Breck, Stella, and Hanna, along with other nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Preceded in death by her husband, Jack, brother, Dale Peterson, and sister, Shirley Peterson.
A memorial service will be held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 1, 2017, with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at church. Interment to follow services at Stockholm Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534

Fisher (Dahlen), Judy Mae
age 64, of Cokato, passed away on August 26, 2017 at the Cokato Manor. She was born in Cokato, MN on December 21, 1952 to Elmer and Betty (Hendrickson) Dahlen. Judy graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1974 and later from Southwest State University. She was united in marriage to Richard Fisher. Judy enjoyed spending time reading, knitting, and crocheting. Special thank you to Judy’s dear friend Patty Olson for many years of fun, laughter and adventures.
Judy is survived by her daughter, Sonja (Josh) Olson, grandchildren, Cash, Raegan, and Kendyl Olson, mother, Betty, sisters Diane Dahlen, Susan (Robert) Miller, and Amy (David) Studer, along with several nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her father, Elmer, and grandparents, Elmer and Mildred Dahlen, and Arthur and Mary Hendrickson.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, with visitation 1 hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Vogelsang, Gerald Walter
age 85, of Howard Lake, MN passed away on August 16, 2017 at the St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted, MN.
Gerald was born November 27, 1931 in Wells, MN to Walter and Esther (Johnston) Vogelsang. On January 20th, 1951 he was united in marriage to Donna Mae Wood. This union was blessed with 5 children. Employment as a butter maker at the Howard Lake creamery brought the family to Howard Lake in 1960, where they made their home. Gerald later worked for Donald Lemke Construction. His passion was being a custodian at St. James Lutheran Church and School in Howard Lake. Following his retirement, he was “Grandpa” at the Village Ranch in Cokato.
Gerald enjoyed camping, wood working, fishing at Charlie’s Resort, and playing cards. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with his family and friends.
Survived by his wife of 66 years, Donna, children, Brian (Jan) Vogelsang, Nancy (Doug) Neumann, Darlyce (Robert) Vogelsang, and Janice (Steve) Edmonson, 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, brothers, Dale (Joann), and Donald (Judy), sister, Beverly, and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his son, Mark, parents, grandparents, and 2 sisters.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. A gathering of family and friends will be 2 hours prior to the service at church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com Memorials are preferred to St. James Lutheran Church and School.