Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Funeral Service: 11 AM Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato
Visitation: 4-8 PM Friday, August 21, at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato
Prayer Service: 7 PM Friday at church
Interment: Spring Park Cemetery Sandstone, MN

Philip Leslie Thinesen 85, Cokato, passed away on August 16, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born November 13, 1929 in Askov, Minnesota to John William Thinesen (d.1977) and Theodora (Hansen d.1986) Thinesen. Phil was the third of four sons, Rex (d. 1990), Ralph (d. 1985) and John, and a foster daughter, Mae (Thompson) Anderson (d.1990). Phil graduated from Sandstone High School, worked on the ore boats on Lake Superior, joined the US Army in 1948, and accepted a second tour of duty in 1952 at the outbreak of the Korean War when his specialty of radio communications was in high demand. At his discharge he had earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Phil married Inez Olson in 1952 and together they had six children. After his service, he trained under the GI Bill as a manager for Central Lumber Yards, working in Sandstone, Mora and then moving his family to Cokato in 1960 to take over at the Standard Lumber Company where he worked until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of the American Legion for 60 years. Phil was a 20 plus year veteran of the Cokato Volunteer Fire Department. Phil enjoyed western movies, history, good humor, crossword puzzles, reading, collecting marbles and lighters. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time laughing with family and friends. He was proud of his Danish heritage. He is survived by five children, Phyllis Wachutka (Bruce) of Chanhassen. Paul Thinesen (Colleen) of St. Cloud; Pamela Thinesen of Ramsey, Philip Thinesen (Joyce) of Cokato and Perry Thinesen (Joyce) of Cokato; twelve grandchildren, two great granddaughters and five great grandsons, brother John of Askov, brother-in-law Wilbert (Buzz) Olson (Carol) of Sandstone, and special friend of 14-years, Wilma Nelson of Cokato. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Inez (Jan. 01, 2000), infant daughter Peggy Jean (Dec. 18, 1960), his parents John and Dora, foster sister Mae, and brothers Ralph and Rex.

Doris Marion Young Passed away at her home in Cokato on August 14, 2015
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at Elim Mission Church of Cokato.
Visitation: 4-8 PM Monday, August 31, 2015 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato
Prayer Service: 7 PM Monday at the funeral home
Interment; Cokato City Cemetery

“As soon as you read in the newspaper that I am dead, don’t believe it for a minute. I will be
more alive than ever before” (D L Moody)
Doris went to be with the Lord on Aug 14, 2015. She reached the age of ninety five years,
seven months.
Doris Marion Lind was born Dee. 30, 1919 in Minneapolis to Edith (Nelson) Lind, and Swedish
immigrant Ole P. Lind. They soon moved to the Grass Lake area south of Cokato. Doris
attended Grace Lake country school and graduated from Cokato High School in 1937. After
graduation Doris moved to Minneapolis to work and attend Lutheran Bible School. In 1938
she was married to Donald Young. They farmed in the Lamson area until retirement i•n the late
60′s. At this time they moved to Cokato. To this union five children were born.
Doris enjoyed traveling, twice to Sweden to visit relatives and once to Germany and
Switzerland. Doris worked for ten years at 3M in Hutchinson, six years at Cokato Manor. She
also babysat for family, also the sons of Blaine and Cella Ellingson family. After Donald’s
death she moved to Cokato Apartments, where she lived for 30 years.
She was preceded in death her by her parents Ole and Edith Lind, sister, Ruby Nystrom, husband Donald, son Bob, two
grandsons Jason Young, John Young.
She is survived by her children, Maureen(Ralph) Wessman, Mark(Rebecca) Young,
Bradley(Beth)Young, Delmond(Kathy)Young, daughter in law Sherry Young. 18 grand children,
42 great grandchildren, 48 great, great, grandchildren.

Aula, Selma Mildred
Selma Mildred (Maidel) Aula was born in Minneapolis, MN on August 13, 1914 to Richard and Mary (Raisanen) Maidel. She died in Cokato on August 14, 2015 at Cokato Manor.
She spent her childhood in their home on Humbolt Avenue, later they moved to St. Louis Park. In 1999 she moved to Edgewood Gables in Cokato. In her youth she would often come out to the uncle’s and aunt’s farms, including Nels and Mary Raisanen’s. They also spent time at their cabin on Cokato Lake.
Selma was a beautician and had her own beauty shop on Glenwood Avenue, later she had a shop in her home.
On June 24, 1939 she married Reino Aula in Minneapolis. They enjoyed traveling to many areas of the United States. She enjoyed entertaining friends, flowers, crocheting, needlepoint, jewelry, and teddy bears. Selma was a lady very particular about her appearance. She wore a skirt, blouse, jacket, nylons, and high heals every day until age 99 ½.
During World War II she worked at the New Brighton Defense Plant 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week, for 2 years without missing a shift.
Selma was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Mary, and husband, Reino. She is survived by cousins, Paul Raisanen, Josie Cappel, Rosie Hennessy, Dorothy Kataules, Mildred Sly, Donald (Elva) Raisanen, Vaino Koitila, other relatives and special friends.
Grave side service: 11:00 AM Monday, August 17, 2015 at Riverside Cemetery in French Lake, Minnesota. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the Cemetery. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato. 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Neil Thomas Korhonen
age 82 of French Lake, MN died on Saturday, August 8, 2015 after a short illness.

Survivors include his wife, Ann, daughter, Victoria (Todd) Hanks of Buffalo, MN, sons, John (Jenny) Korhonen of Buffalo, MN, Peter Korhonen of Cokato, MN, Adam Korhonen of Madison, WI, and Michael Korhonen of Annandale, MN, sisters, Elaine Brown and Helen Bjorlin.

Neil was born in French Lake on August 13, 1932, the son of Elizabeth (Davidson) and Oscar Korhonen. His schooling was at Granite Lake, French Lake, and Annandale High School. On August 17, 1968 he was united in marriage to Ann Kaulakis in Brainerd, MN. Neil farmed his entire life and spent a short time in the service. He was a past board member of Cenex, made and sold stump machines, and was an exhibitor at the Minnesota State Fair, Big Iron Farm Show in Fargo, North Dakota, and the Vermillion, South Dakota Farm Show. His bowling career lasted 50 years.

Services for Neil will take place at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at Minnesota Pioneer Park in Annandale, Minnesota. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service at Pioneer Park. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Maria Morris of Cokato passed away at the Meeker County Memorial Hospital on August 8, 2015.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Thursday, August 13 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato
Visitation: 4-8 PM Wednesday, August 12 at the Church
Prayer Service: 7 PM Wednesday.
Interment Cokato Finnish Cemetery.

Memorial are preferred to the Cokato food shelf, and the Maria Battaglia 1st generation education scholarship (a yearly scholarship awarded to a student who has non English speaking parents and is planning on going to a college or tech school)

Maria Morris was born in Naples, Italy on December 12, 1926 to Giovanni and Margherita (Grasso) Battaglia. She attended school only through the second grade, when she began to work outside the home to help support the family. At the age of 19, while working in a GI laundry she met George Wandersee an American soldier stationed in Naples. On October 14, 1945 Maria and George were married through an interpreter, as neither spoke the same language. Maria often shared that they needed an interpreter on their honeymoon. While George remained in Italy to complete his tour of duty an extremely frightened Maria joined other “war brides” and departed by ship to America. Her destination was to a farm in Waverly, Minnesota, where she would live with her new in-laws. Some months later, George returned to Minnesota and they made their home in Howard Lake. Three daughters and one son were born to this union. Maria was widowed on November 19, 1953.

In May of 1954, Maria and her children journeyed to visit her family in Naples. After a three month reunion, Maria bravely returned to America with her children to become a US citizen and to offer her children the opportunity of good health and education.

On October 1, 1955 Maria married Russell Morris in Cokato where they made their home. Five sons were born to this union. Russell passed away on November 11, 1991.

Maria enjoyed her family and was extremely proud of her three daughters and six sons. As the years passed, she became “Nonna” to 21 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Mamma Mia! How she loved them all!

In Maria’s “free time”, she enjoyed bowling, growing houseplants and winning at bingo. Maria appreciated good food, and good eaters, but never claimed to be a good cook. However, family and friends enjoyed her cooking, especially her lasagna, potato sausage, and glorified rice. Maria used her skills at the Cokato Norseman and DQ where she was a cook for many years.

Maria was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years. She was always grateful for many wonderful friends who helped her to learn to speak and read English and to obtain her American citizenship. She had a heart of gratitude for those who prayed with and for her.

Maria is remembered by many for her fun sense of humor and quick wit that sweetened her life with laughter and friendship. But, mostly for us, as her family, her lasting legacy will be her gift of love for us and how her sacrificial love impacted each one of us for the future. Her motive was to give us a better life. But the hidden treasure we received, as we witnessed to her about Jesus, was that we, too, grew closer and closer to our lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yes, our mother loved us, but most importantly she loved Jesus.

Her life left a lasting impression on so many and none of it was to chance. She meant so much to us, but all we have to do is look at the cross to see how much she meant to Jesus.

On Saturday, August 8, at Meeker County Memorial Hospital in Litchfield, He brought her home. She had reached the age of 88 years, 8 months and 8 days. She always loved Crazy Eights! Thanks be to God for our wonderful mother.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three sisters, her husbands George Wandersee and Russell Morris, her son-in-law Stephen Baldwin and her grand daughter Laramie.

Survivors include Maria’s children: Rose Baldwin of Barnes, Wisconsin, Anna Marie (Joe) Harmala of Cokato, Carlo (Theresa) Wandersee of Elk River, Rita (Greg) Hayek of Minnetonka, Tom (Kim) Morris of Cokato, Jon Morris of Moundsview, Bob (Mary Kay) Morris of Cokato, Timmi (Marianela) Morris of Bloomington, and Tony Morris of Cokato. Her sister Yolanda Castaldo of Naples, Italy. 21 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren. Many nieces nephews other relatives and friends.