Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Judd, Grant Owen
age 79, of Howard Lake, passed away on May 5, 2015 peacefully at his home. He was born December 4, 1935 in Howard Lake, Minnesota to Gordon and Stella (Brenden) Judd. Growing up in Howard Lake, he graduated from Howard Lake High School and continued his education at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota where he met his future wife Inga Julia Parsons. They were united in marriage on August 10, 1957 at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd, Minnesota. This union was blessed with 2 sons. They made their homes and many lifelong friends in St. Paul, Fridley, and Howard Lake.
Grant had a deep relationship with his Lord. He was dedicated to loving and caring for his family. Grant enjoyed many forms of music, and was renowned as an accomplished organist. He performed many recitals, concerts, organ dedications, weddings, funerals, and community events. Grant enjoyed hunting, fishing, and fellowship with good friends. He was very active in his church.
Survived by his sons David (Janis) and Daniel (Erin) Judd, grandchildren Andrew, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Nathaniel, and Jacob Judd, great grandson Brody Jolly, sisters Judy (Karl) von Loewe and Maureen (Hank) Hornstein, and nephew Peter von Loewe.
Grant was preceded in death by his wife and parents.
A celebration of his life will take place at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake with visitation beginning at 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. John’s Lutheran Church are preferred.

McKinley, Helga Christa
age 79, of Cokato went to be with the Lord on April 12, 2015 surrounded by her family at home, after a brief battle with cancer. She was born April 22, 1935 in Selisia, Germany to Alfred and Emelia (Roesner) Haasler. Helga was raised in Germany and united in marriage to Lyle McKinley on October 3, 1958 in Germany. This union was blessed with the birth of 6 children. In 1959, following Lyle’s discharge from the U.S. Army, they made their home in Minnesota.
Helga enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, and spending time with them. She was an active member of Stockholm Lutheran Church.
Preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Lynn A., and brother, Herbert.
Survived by her children, Christina Linquist of Chanhassen, MN, Frank (Anne) McKinley of Dassel, MN, Fred McKinley of Delano, MN, Barbie Kuntz of Cokato, MN, and Laura (Joe) Koopman of Cokato, MN, Many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sisters, Christa Langner of Germany and Barbel (Hans) Poschinger of Germany, sister in-law, Karen (Ron) Anderson of New Mexico, along with several neices and nephews.
A memorial service will take place at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Stockholm Lutheran Church of Cokato with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at church.

Leinonen, Daniel John
age 72, of Cokato, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2015. He was born May 29, 1942 to Emil and Rauha Leinonen of French Lake. He graduated from Annandale High School in 1960. Daniel was united in marriage to Judy Giertz on June 22, 1963 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN. This union was blessed with 2 children. He continued his education at Dunwoody Institute. Daniel worked for NSP and EXCEL energy for 37 years, retiring when he was 56 years old.
Daniel enjoyed farming and was a sportsmen who enjoyed the outdoors, and shooting. He was the French Lake Township supervisor, and worked for Dahlco Seed Company. Daniel loved to spend time with his granddaughters.
He is survived by his sons, Christian (Brenda) Leinonen of Howard Lake, MN and Timothy Leinonen of Pennock, MN, along with their mother, Judy Anders of South Haven, MN, grandchildren, Kailee and Brittany Leinonen, sisters, Norma Drawert, and Margie (Ed) Groop, and brothers, Willard, and Peter (Judy) Leinonen.
Preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Marion Maki, and Mary Alvey.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in French Lake. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015, from 5-8 with 7 PM prayer at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cokato. A time of gathering will continue on Saturday for 1 hour prior to the service at church.

Evelyn Elizabeth Carlson
age 90, of Annandale, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the Annandale Care Center. Evelyn was born April 28, 1924 to Edwin and Betsy (Olean) Gunderson. She was baptized and confirmed by Pastor Alex Sand at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale. Evelyn married Andrew Carlson on September 29, 1944 also at St John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale by Pastor Sand. On October 2, 1948, they had one son, Edwin Andrew, who passed away on February 4, 1949.
Evelyn was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale. She enjoyed watching and listening to the Twins baseball games with Andy, as well as spending time with her sisters and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Andy, son, Edwin, sister, Eleanor Salmela, brother, Albert “Pete”, and brothers-in-law, Harry Salmela, Bill Widmark, and Franklin Sandell.
She is survived by her sisters, Mabel Widmark and Betty Sandell, in-laws, Carl and Norma Carlson, Genevive Larson, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will take place at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at church. Internment will follow services at St. John’s Cemetery in Annandale.

Daniel Ryan Braatz, 31, Drayton, ND, was called to heaven on April 2, 2015.
Daniel was born Feb. 28, 1984, in Hutchinson, Minn. He was baptized and confirmed at Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cokato, MN. He graduated from Buffalo High School, Buffalo, MN, in 2002.
He worked as secretary for Drayton Lutheran Parish for two years before starting school at Josef’s School of Hair Design, Grand Forks, ND. He received several awards while there for his outstanding artistic work. After graduating in 2014 he worked at Olivieri’s Salon and Spa in Grand Forks, ND, where he had many close friends and loyal clients.
Daniel was very creative and enjoyed making all kinds of crafts and quilts as well as gardening, spending time at the lake, and thrift shopping where he found numerous treasures for his family members and friends. His favorite pastime was attending various festivals doing what he loved most hula-hooping and entertaining all the kindred souls around him. There were no strangers in Daniel’s life; he was an angel who spent his life entertaining angels. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and loyal friends.
He is survived by his mother and step-father Shelley and Bruce Martinson, Drayton, ND; sister Hope Braatz (fiancé Toby Shittu), Devils Lake, ND; brother Adam Braatz (fiancé Beth Maas), South Haven, Minn.; sister Charstyn Martinson, Devils Lake, ND; step-mother Joleene Braatz, Buffalo, MN, step-brothers Josh Frisen, Charlie Druar and Casey Druar; grandparents Roger (Joanne) Braatz; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and hundreds of friends.
There to meet him in heaven were his father, Mark Braatz; grandparents Clarence and Shirley Holman and Vickie Mealey; step-grandparents Arnold and Pauline Martinson and Hal and Bev Clifton.
Sir Daniel Sunshine’s motto was “Leave a little sparkle wherever you go.” He found all he was destined to give in every soul who sparkles because he lived.
Memorial Service: 3 PM Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato
Visitation: begins at 1 PM Saturday at Church.