Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Florence Weaver Higgins Sundblad
Florence Sundblad, 97, formerly of Allentown, Pennsylvania, went home to be with her Lord on March 9, 2017. She passed away at Cokato Manor in Cokato, Minnesota. Born December 22, 1919, in Allentown, PA, she was the daughter of the late George and Cora (Ohl) Weaver and the adopted daughter of the late John and Florence (Horlacher) Weaver of Allentown, PA.
While in Allentown, she was a member of Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church and very active in choir, teaching Sunday School and various other ministries of the church. In her youth, she was active in Luther League. She graduated from Kutztown State Teachers College in 1941. She especially loved teaching young children and taught in the local elementary schools in Allentown and Center Valley, PA. She loved to travel, toured all 50 States, and took an Alaskan cruise three times. She also traveled to Sweden and Norway, which she said was a “dream come true”.
Florence was the wife of the late John Higgins. She had two children, daughter, Madeleine, wife of David Heffley, of Milton, DE and a son, the late John Higgins, husband of Marlenne of Clearwater, Florida. Florence had three grandchildren Michael Heffley, husband of Marissa (Frey), Darryl Heffley and Briana Marks, wife of Edwin. She had one great grandson, Aiden. She had eight siblings, all deceased, Mae, Martin, Lila, Madeleine, Paul, George, Theodore and Richard, all of whom greeted her in Heaven.
After her first husband died, she met and married Clifford Sundblad of Cokato, Minnesota while enjoying warm winters in Tucson, Arizona. Clifford and Florence had 24 years of a wonderful marriage and she was blessed with a second family – stepson Allen Sundblad, husband of Carla (Kamrath), and the late stepdaughter, Sheila, wife of Bob Ryan. She also received the love of more grandchildren, Jacob, who is also rejoicing in heaven with her, and Philip, sons of Allen and Carla, and Steven, Jennifer, Johathan and Katherine, children of Bob and Sheila.
Florence and Clifford were members of North Crow River Lutheran Church, Knapp, Minnesota. A graveside service will be held at the Emmaus Moravian Cemetery, Emmaus, Pennsylvania where she will be laid to rest beside her first husband, John (Jack) Higgins.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the North Crow River Lutheran Church, Cokato Manor or The American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato and Howard Lake, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Russell Carrol Odell Rokala passed away at the Cokato Manor on March 13, 2017.
Memorial Service: 3PM Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Kingston, 71580 CSAH 27, Kimball, MN 55353
Visitation: begins at 1 PM on Saturday at the church
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery in the spring.
Russell Carol Odell Rokala was born in Kingston Township on December 23, 1932, to Henry and Elma (Tormanen) Rokala. He grew up on the family farm in Kingston, was baptized and confirmed at the Cokato Apostolic Church. On August 7, 1954 Russell Married Betty Lindquist; they were married at Russell’s parent’s home. They made their home first at Russell’s parents, and then Sleepy Eye for a short time then returned to the Dassel and Cokato area where they stayed and raised their family. They farmed and Russell worked for Cokato Township for a time and Annandale Rock Products. He enjoyed heavy equipment.
Russell loved family time, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He enjoyed watching all sports and listening to country music.
Russell passed away at Cokato Manor on March 13, 2017, he had reached the age of 84 years, 2 months and 10 days. Survivors include: his wife Betty of Cokato, children: Debra of Kimball, Terry of Kimball, Joel (Kris) of Dassel, Susan (Dave) Jarl of Kingston and Chad (Melissa) of Cokato. Grand children: Jon Moe, Christa Vaughn, Steve Moe, Beth Klein, Josh Rokala, Jason Rokala, Emily Farniok, Michael Jarl, Alex Jarl and Marquese Rokala. Breanna Rokala, Brenden Rokala, and Benny Rokala. 16 great grand children

Heger, Sondra K.
age 24, beloved daughter of Kristie and Jeff (Terri), died suddenly on 3/11/17. Survived by her parents, grandma, Lucy Vandervort, sisters, Suzy and Stephanie, brother, Jacob, aunt, uncles, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by 3 grandparents. Celebration of life: 11 AM Fri. 3/17 with gathering 1 hr prior at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Glenna Sturman passed away on March 5, 2017 at Cokato Manor.
Funeral Service 11 AM, Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato.
Visitation begins at 10 AM
Interment: Delano Cemetery.

Viola Larson, one of God’s good and faithful servants, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 1, 2017, following complications from Pneumonia. Viola was 93 years old. On Thursday, February, 25, Viola played the piano for her final hymn sing at Heritage place in Cokato MN. Everyone so enjoyed her ministry of music and she always provided a full repertoire of favorite hymns. When she played the hymns everyone enjoyed singing along. She was a great fan of Fanny Crosby, the famous hymn writer and she featured Fanny’s songs in all of her mini concerts.
Viola was born to Joseph and Ruth Willett in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 11, 1924. She dedicated her life to her Lord’s work and at an early age set her goals to serve Him wherever he needed her. She graduated from St. Paul Bible Institute with a degree in Christian Ministry. She married Wallace Larson, whom she met at school. They married on May 30, 1945, in Sandstone, Minnesota and began a lifelong Christian ministry as pastor and wife to churches in Annandale, MN, Fairmont MN, Arthur, IA, Rapid City, SD, Rochester, MN, Clover, MN, and Albion, MN. Since her husband passed away in December, 1986, Viola has lived in the Annandale/Cokato area and is no doubt known by the entire community for dedicated church work, portrayal of “Mrs. Noah” and “Queen Esther” and her wonderful portrayal of the nice old lady who taught everyone about history at Pioneer Park in Annandale. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Ruth and Joseph Willett, her loving husband Rev. Wallace Larson, whom with she is now happily reunited. She is survived by her three children, Dr. David Larson, of Bennett, Co, Dean Larson, of Auburn, CA and Linnea Raasch of Dassel, MN. She has many grandchildren and great grandchildren spread out across the country who will miss her dearly. She was a wonderful example and inspiration to all her family.
Viola’s Celebration of Life will be held, Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Albion Evangelical Free Church, 11480 5th Street Northwest, Cokato, MN 55321. There will be a visitation at 1:00 pm with services to begin at 2:00 pm. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534