Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Steven passed away at his home in Eagan with his family and friends around him on November 28, 2015
Funeral Service: 1PM Friday, December 4, 2015 at Cedar Valley Church 8600 Bloomington Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota
Visitation: 4-8 PM Thursday December 3, at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and 1hr prior to service on Friday at Church.
Prayer Service: 7 PM Thursday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home.

Steve J. Mattson, Cofounder of Northland Securities, Long time financial advisor to Minnesota Cities, loving husband, father, grandfather, family and friend to many of Eagan died at home on Saturday, November 28, 2015 surrounded by family and close friends.

Steve started his career in 1972 with the small securities firm Juran & Moody. Over his career, Steve structured and marketed over 2,000 bond issues for Minnesota Cities. Steve had many loyal cities that came to him year after year as cities needed to enter the capital markets. In 1996, Juran and Moody was sold to Miller Johnson and Steve worked for Miller Johnson until 2002. It was then, Steve and four other cofounders formed Northland Securities, Northland Networks, and Northland Trust Services. In 2004, Steve and his cofounders also founded Northland Capital Holdings. Steve had a number of cities that worked exclusively with him to raise monies with the issuance of tax exempt bonds. Steve was proud to have worked with some cities for 43 continuous years, such as Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Waite Park, Appleton, Lake Crystal, Crosby, Dassel, and many more.

Steve passed away Saturday afternoon, at his home surrounded by loving family and close childhood friends. Steve was born on January 13, 1950, grew up in Cokato, graduated from Cokato High School in 1968, and graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1972 with a major in Finance and Economics. Steve was a member of the Apple Valley Rotary for 30 years, where he served the Apple Valley Rotary Club and District 5950 in various capacities. Steve was most proud to be the cofounder of the Rotary Safe Water Plus providing safe drinking water to small villages and 3rd world countries.

Steve is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mary. His son Dr. Andrew Mattson (Chialing) and daughter Chunny Daiker (John), and 4 grandchildren; Madelynn & Leo Mattson and Bryce & Stevie Daiker. 2 Sisters, Susan Johnson (Robert) of Eagan and Carol Semke (Bruce) of Cokato with numerous loving nieces, nephews, and friends. Steve is preceded in death by his parents Gordy & Isabelle.

Please join us for a Celebration of Steve’s Life. Wake services on Dec 3, 2015 from 4-8pm at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home 655 Broadway Ave South, Cokato, MN 55321, (320) 286-2534. Funeral services on Dec 4, 2015 at 1:00pm at Cedar Valley Church 8600 Bloomington Ave South, Bloomington, MN 55425, (952) 854-1100. Reviewal will be 1 hour prior to service.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials preferred to: The Rotary Foundation – Annual Fund, 1560 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL, 60201 and Hennepin County Medical Center Cancer Center, 701 Park Ave, Mail Code G1, Minneapolis, MN 55415.

Georgia passed away November 26, 2015 at Heritage Place of Cokato. Funeral Service will be at noon on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, Visitation will begin at 11AM. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery
She was born in Waubay, SD and was married to Duane M Smith for 60 years. They resided in Chanhassen, MN for over 50 years where they raised their three sons.
Georgia is preceded in death by her husband Duane and her sister Sybil. She is also survived by her sons, Ron (Cindy) Massillon, OH, Roger of Canton, SD, Todd (Trudi) of Cokato, MN. Grandsons include Jarid (Kezia) of Rochester, MN and Nathan (Brittney) of Sioux Falls, SD and their daughter Charlotte. Step grandchildren include Angela (Greg) Swanson and their children Madilyn, Brylee and Emily of Otsego, MN and Tara Storts of Monticello, MN. Also surviving are her two sisters Jewel Wattier of Sioux Falls, SD and Gloria (Charles) Gilbertson of Moorhead, MN and many nieces and nephews.
Georgia worked for many years at the Excelsior bakery and then at K-Mart where she worked in the office. After she retired from K-Mart she always had a helping hand for her friends that she loved very much. She was very involved in her children, grandchildren/step grandchildren’s lives. She will be greatly missed by her family.

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