Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Wayne Curtis Allen, age 90, of Howard Lake, previously of Medina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28th, 2024, at his home. Wayne was born on January 17, 1934 in Watertown, MN to Elmer E and Orlue M Allen (nee Diers) of Howard Lake, MN. His mother died less than 5 months later, leaving Elmer a single parent to Wayne and his sister Audrey. Wayne grew up with the loving support of his father, grandparents, and his Aunt Alice in his grandparent’s home on Lake Mary. He was baptized and confirmed at Nylunda Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Victor Township, Wright County, Minnesota and for many years was affiliated with Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Lake, Minnesota. Wayne’s early schooling was in the country school near lake Mary. He graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1951 and attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.

Wayne enlisted in the US Navy in January 1953. After training he served as an electronics instructor at Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, VA teaching US and Japanese sailors how to maintain and repair electronics systems. He was honorably discharged in December 1956. After the Navy, he worked at Honeywell Aerospace Division in Minneapolis on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Space Programs where his crew built the on board guidance hardware for John Glenn’s historic 1968 circumnavigation of the earth. After Honeywell, Wayne was a manager in the Manufacturing Department at FMC Naval Systems Division (later BAE Systems) retiring in 1992 at the age of 58.

Wayne was actively involved in Scouting, supporting his sons and grandson in achieving Eagle Scout status. He was honored with the Lamb Award, a national recognition given to Lutheran adults who demonstrate distinguished service in fostering the spiritual growth of youth through the Boy Scouts of America.

In retirement Wayne and his wife, Teri, enjoyed traveling. Together they traveled nearly 300,000 miles, making 8 trips to Alaska, before deciding to “settle down”. Wayne enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and shooting, and spending winters in Arizona.

Wayne was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be missed by his wife, Teri, and his four children Steve (Trish) Allen, John Allen, Jeff (Ann) Allen, and Amy (Jonathan) Kappler, his 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Karen (Gerry) Diers, and by his cousins, many nieces and nephews, and good friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Audrey and Yvonne, and his first wife, Lucille Nehring (nee Olson).

There will be a Celebration of Life at Reeds and Rushes in Howard Lake on Sunday, August 18th 2024, at 1 pm. The family requests no flowers or memorials.

Marilyn S. Sutter (Constenius), age 81, died peacefully August 4, 2024. Marilyn was born on June 22, 1943, in Floodwood, MN, to William and Ailie (Alapeteri) Constenius and later moved to Cokato and then to St. Paul, MN. Marilyn was a caring mother, a good friend to many, and an artist whose talents were passed down to some of her children and grandchildren. While she faced many challenges in life, Marilyn persevered with resilience and a sense of humor.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her father, William, her mother, Ailie, and her brothers, Gary, Ken, and Jim, and sister, Dorothy. Marilyn is survived by her brothers, William and Paul; her children, Byron, Ken, Eileen, Vicki, and Mary; and her grandchildren, Zachary, Genevieve, Elijah, Grace, Samantha, and Malaki.

Marilyn’s family is grateful to Suite Living Senior Care, Roseville, MN, residents and staff who took such great care of her in her final years.

An intimate graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Finnish Cemetery in Cokato, MN.

Joel W. Miller (Joe) passed away unexpectedly on July 29, 2024 at his home north of Howard Lake.

Joe was born on September 29, 1961, to Wilton and Eldora (Dorie) Miller. He attended Howard Lake-Waverly Elementary School and High School, graduating in 1980.

Joe had several jobs in his younger years including working at Broll Fertilizer, American Feeds, fishing in Alaska with the Schmitz boys, training racehorses with his good friend, Derek LaZarre, and working for area farmers. On April 1, 1989, he began his career as a well driller at Mattson Well Co. just across the road from his home. Joe drilled many, many wells and he remembered every one.

He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Tack of Austin, TX, his mother, Dorie Miller of Howard Lake, his siblings Julie McSweeney (Terry Alverez) of Plymouth, Ann Sheahan (Randy) of De Pere, Wisconsin, Donna Brezinka (Tony Austinson) of Maple Grove, Alan Miller of Howard Lake, and Ruth Oestreich (Dave) of Howard Lake.

He is further survived by his nieces and nephew, Lindsay McSweeney of Maple Grove, Caitlin Leggitt (Kyle) of Dayton, Madison Canizales (John) of Minnetonka, Mackenzie Brezinka of Maple Grove and Drew Oestreich of Marquette, Michigan. Great niece and nephew, River and Noah Leggitt.

Joe had many friends that he considered family including the Schmitz’s, Lazarre’s, Heuer’s, Sawatzke’s, the Yager Farm gang and many more.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Wilton Miller.

A memorial service will be held at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake from 1-2:30 pm on Saturday, August 3, 2024 followed by a luncheon and beers at the Howard Lake American Legion. We would have had a more elaborate memorial for Joe, but he spent all his money at Canterbury.

Joe’s family wishes to thank you for your kind expression of friendship, sympathy, and support. No acknowledgements will be sent.

We will all miss Joe’s laugh, his stubbornness and sarcasm.

And as Joe would say “GO PACK GO”.

James Grogan of Howard Lake, MN died July 20,2024.

Jim is survived by son Brian (Carolyn) of San Antonio, TX, long time partner Sandee Gould, sister Marilyn Peterson of New Richmond, WI and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in by his parents Maybelle and Malcom Grogan, sister Arlene Quarderer, Rosalie Hoff, brothers Ed and Alvin (Bud) Grogan.

Jim was a veteran of the Korean War. He worked and retired from the Minneapolis VA.

He was a quiet, mild mannered man with a dry wit. He thrived on playing chess and working any type of puzzle. He did photography, drawing and self-taught woodworking in retirement.

The family would like the thank the staff at Cokato Manor for the care Jim received over the last three months.

No services will be held.

Marilyn Jean Dahlquist, age 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at the Cokato Manor in Cokato, MN. She was born to Godfrey and Faith Norling (Breffel) on August 13, 1936 in Mora, MN. She was baptized on May 11,1952 at the First English Lutheran Church. Marilyn graduated from Redwood Falls High School in June 1952.

Marilyn married LaGrand Wegner on April 9, 1955, at the Evangelical United Parsonage. They were blessed with three children, Randall, Robert and Lori. Marilyn operated a daycare for small children for many years while raising her children. Marilyn and LaGrand enjoyed going to Marilyn’s parents’ cabin on Sturgeon Lake, fishing, ocean destination cruises, other vacations, and being active members at the Bloomington American Legion. After LaGrand’s passing Marilyn continued to live in Bloomington, MN and stayed close to her family. Marilyn worked at Kirsch Company until 1985. Then she started to work in the office for Holt Motors in Cokato, MN until 2001.

Marilyn married Leighton Dahlquist on February 29, 1984 in Las Vegas, NV. They moved to a hobby farm in South Haven, MN in June of 1984. Marilyn raised wonderful produce from her vegetable garden, endless flower gardens and decorative flower pots. She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years. She also enjoyed quilting at the church and visiting with others. She had a talent for crocheting and sewing many wonderful useful items from her home to give as gifts for family. Marilyn loved her grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them. If life got busy, the grandchildren were always in her thoughts and loving, caring heart. Marilyn and Lee enjoyed camping fun during the summer months for many years. They parked their camper at a site and would go there as time permitted.

In their later years they downsized a couple of times and eventually found their amazing townhome in Cokato, MN.

The casino get-aways were something that Lee & Marilyn enjoyed, especially when family and friends could join them. They also met many new people there that grew into friendships.
Marilyn is survived by her sons Randall (Marie) Wegner and Robert Wegner; stepdaughters Kathryn (Ken) Beckers and Karen (Steve) Miller; siblings Diane (Dick) Kaitz and Barbara (Jack) McNamara; eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Godfrey and Faith Norling (Breffel); daughter Lori Wegner; spouses LaGrand Wegner and Leighton Dahlquist; siblings: Charlou Walser and Lynn Fallen.
A funeral service will be held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 280 3rd St SE, Cokato, MN on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM, with gathering of family and friends beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN on August 2, 2024, at 10:30 am.

Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.