Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Helen passed away at Howard Lake Good Samaritan Society on November 18, 2015

Funeral Service: 11 AM Saturday November 21, 2015 at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake.
Visitation: 1 hr. prior to service at church
Interment: Howard Lake Cemetery

Philip Oswald Koivisto was born October 7, 1949 to Oswald and Lempi (Aho) Koivisto. He passed away at the age of 66 at his residence in St. Cloud, MN. Philip served in an artillery unit in the Vietnam War. After his military service he worked at several jobs in this area.
Survived by his mother, Lempi, siblings, Virginia (Wendell) Huotari, James Koivisto, Paul (Ruth) Koivisto, Joel (Sandy) Koivisto, Mark (Paula) Koivisto, David (Josie) Koivisto, Maria (Mark) Jarvie, John Koivisto, and Karen Koivisto along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Preceded in death by his father, Oswald, and nephew, Erick Huotari.
A funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Cokato. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Karen Ann Zander passed away at Methodist Hospital of St. Louis Park, on November 10, 2015.

Karen Ann (Schmalz) Zander, age 64, of St. Louis Park, passed away on November 10, 2015 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN after a nearly two year long battle with ovarian cancer.
She was born May 30, 1951 in Clarkfield, MN to Alois (Ollie) and Hilda (Schwartz) Schmalz. She was baptized on June 17, 1951 in Clarkfield, MN and confirmed in the christian faith on April 24, 1966.
Karen grew up in Cosmos, MN and graduated from Cosmos High School with the class of 1969. She continued her education by attending vocational schooling.
Karen was united in marriage to Harvey Bernard Zander on November 23, 1985 at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos, MN. Harvey and Karen made their home in St. Louis Park, MN.
Karen was employed at General Mills in the Business Information Center (BIC) until her retirement on November 29, 2011.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ollie and Hilda Schmalz and one brother, Keith Schmalz, grandparents, and brother- in- law Leland (Sonny) Pettit.
Karen spent countless hours knitting. Karen was involved in numerous knitting and stitching groups. She made many helmet liners for the troops , chemo caps and gifts for her grandchildren and family. She truly was given a gift and enjoyed every moment. She also enjoyed quilting, crocheting and sewing. When Harvey and Karen were married, she sewed her wedding dress.
Harvey and Karen were very passionate about the trucking industry. They have spent many hours over the years volunteering in classrooms, informing kids and the community about the trucking industry and safety. They held drivers education classes in schools around the Wright County area including Buffalo, Dassel-Cokato, Howard Lake Waverly-Winsted and St. Michael-Albertville. Harvey and Karen traveled around the country exhibiting their semi, “Icy Blu 2″, in numerous truck shows earning many awards. They were also part of a program called “Trucker Buddy”/Pen Pal school program in which they helped educate and mentor schoolchildren via a pen pal relationship between professional truck drivers and children in grades K-8.. Every week they would share news about their travels with their class. Once a month, students write letters to their drivers. Students’ skills in reading, writing, geography, mathematics, social studies, and history are enhanced and learning is fun.
She was the Secretary/Treasurer for a Friday night bowling league at the Medina Entertainment Center for over 20 years.
Recently, Karen spent many hours working on family genealogy for many family members.
Over the past 3 years, Karen was involved in MOCA (Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance) raising money to help fund research programs in finding a cure for ovarian cancer. Her granddaughter, Rebecca and friends were involved in a 10K and ran in honor of Grandma Karen.
During the summer months in the last few years, Karen and Harvey found relaxation at Codger’s Cove Camp Ground in Howard Lake. They enjoyed spending time with friends and family on the pontoon visiting and of course knitting.
She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Karen is survived by husband Harvey Zander of St. Louis Park, son and daughter in law Quay and Nancy Zander of Waverly, grandchildren Rebecca Zander of St. Cloud and Jacob Zander of Crookston, brother and sister in law Curt and Barbara Schmalz of Buffalo, MN, and brother Ken Schmalz of Thief River Falls, MN, sisters and brothers in law Dorris and Heinrich VonMende of Brooklyn Center, Harlan and Jonae Zander of Howard Lake and Arlo and Susan Zander of North Mankato. She is further survived by many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held on Monday, November 16th at St. John’s Lutheran church in Howard Lake, at 10:30 am with Pastor Paul Koch officiating. A wake was held on Sunday, at the Swanson Peterson Funeral home in Howard Lake.
Pallbearers were grand children Rebecca and Jacob Zander, nephews Chad Schmalz, Alexander Bauers, Jeremiah Bauers, and friend Alex Mages. Honorary pallbearer was Tatum Rae Zander.

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Monday, November 16, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, Minnesota
Visitation: 4-8 PM Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home, Howard Lake, Minnesota
Prayer Service: 7:30 PM Sunday at the Funeral Home
Interment: Howard Lake Cemetery

Joshua Paul Wren
Born July 16, 1991 at Ridgeview Hospital, Waconia, MN
Baptized August 1991 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, MN
Confirmed 2013 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, MN

Joshua went to be with God on Sunday morning, November 8, 2015, his mother, father and brother at his side. His battle with colon cancer was beyond courageous and he is now at peace and no longer suffering.

Joshua’s passion for racing started at a very young age, as he attended many races and cheering on his dad from the stands. He then took interest in go cart racing, winning two track championships. He then tried his luck in the modified class for a short time. Along with his own racing, Joshua was an awesome pit man for his dad, working on the car at home and at the race track. Joshua also started drawing designs for the race car and designed a website and Facebook page that he was very proud of.
Joshua attended multiple colleges starting out at Mankato State University then onto Ridgewater College, Hutchinson campus, where he received a degree in Business and Sales. He then continued on with one year at University of Minnesota, Duluth. Changing course one final time, back to Ridgewater College he went, to pursue a degree in Non-Destructive Testing.
Joshua enjoyed the arts. He played the saxophone in high school band. He participated in many plays and musicals. He was an avid listener of music, attending many concerts. He had a very wide variety of types of music that he loved (alternative rock, 80’s rock, country). His favorite band is “All Time Low”. Joshua made some awesome friends during his life and loved getting together with them.
God’s peace to all of our family and friends who supported and prayed for Joshua this past year. We are so grateful and will never be able to express how your kindness has touched our hearts.
He is preceded in death by: Grandparents Earl and Alice Mann
Survived by: Parents; Jerry and Pam Wren; Brother; Cody Wren; Grandparents; Fran & Char Wren, Paulette & Hal Tueteberg; Aunts; Tammy Gruenhagen, Patti Mann; Uncles; David Mann, Wes Wren, Luke Wren, Kevin Gruenhagen. Cousins; Riley and Jake Gruenhagen, Faith Wren.
A celebration of Joshua’s life will take place at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 13, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. A time of gathering will begin at 11:30 AM on Friday at the church.

Funeral services will be held for Phillip “Phil” Pope , age 79, of
Montrose, Minnesota on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, Minnesota with Pastor Al Jones officiating. The pallbearers were Phil Woldstad Jr, James Woldstad, Joe Vail, Lyle Bissel and Ryan Disrud. Honorary pallbearers were Rylee Simmang, Darrel Bissel and Rick Plamann. Phil was laid to rest in Kreidler Cemetery, Montrose, Minnesota.
Phillip “Phil” Carl Pope was born on July 11, 1936 at Minneapolis General Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His parents were the late Albert and Elizabeth (Klopp) Pope. Phil grew up in Mound and graduated from the Mound High School with the class of 1954. Phil was a member of the AFLCIO in St. Paul for 50 years. On April 18, 1981, Phil was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Woldstad in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Phil and Barbara made their home in Plymouth and Howard Lake before making their home in Montrose for 30 years. Phil enjoyed painting and making yard decorations, wood working, garage sales and most importantly spending time with his grandchildren.
Phil passed away on November 3, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Center in Howard Lake, Minnesota at 79 years of age. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding Phil in death were his parents; sister, Maxine; brother, Charles “Chuck”; grandson, Spencer James Simmang Vail.
Phil is survived by his wife, Barbara Pope; children: Crystal (Joe Vail) Simmang; Debbie Woldstad; Laurie (Mark) Johnson; Lisa Aiken; Phil Woldstad; James Woldstad; Phillip Pope, Jr; Brenda; Carla; Wanda; Grandchildren: Josh, Jessica, Caitlynn, Serenity, Rylee, Karsen, Ella, Jayden, and Jaelyn; sisters-in-law: Nancy and Judy; many other relatives and a host of friends.
Arrangements are with the Karvonen Funeral Home of New York Mills, Minnesota.
Please visit http://www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Phil’s family.