Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Richard Joseph Sawatzke, age 58, of Waverly passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2014 following a courageous battle with leukemia.
He was born May 7th, 1956 in Buffalo, MN. He was the son of Robert and Audrey Sawatzke. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Church. Graduated from Howard Lake-Waverly High School in 1974 and completed meat cutting school at Pipestone Technical College.
Dick was an entrepreneur that wore many different hats. Over the years, Dick was a farmer, construction worker, butcher, maintenance manager, property manager, and even a custom fish house designer. Dick proudly built two homes for his immediate family over the years and completed numerous projects for many family and friends. Dick’s talents as a contractor were admired by customers who lent him a lifetime of word-of-mouth advertising that always kept him busy.
Dick enjoyed the outdoors. He especially liked ice fishing, deer hunting, and spending time with family and friends on Freeborn Lake. In recent years, Dick cherished his grandchildren. Times with “Papa” were some of the most important memories of the last five years.
Dick was preceded in death by his father, Bob Sawatzke; mother-in-law and father-in-law Mildred and Clifford Schmieg; and also by an infant brother.
He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Jan; mother and stepfather Audrey and Marvin Balgaard; daughter and son-in-law Tammy and John Anderson; son Eric; grandchildren Rayna, Gianna, and Grady; siblings and their spouses Joan and Mel Laurence, Dan and Dawn Sawatzke, Chris and Rich Alverson, Doug and Jenell Sawatzke, Dale and Laura Sawatzke, JoEllen and Joel Fasching, Carol and Dan Tongen; brothers-in-law and their spouses Roger and Patty Schmieg, Wayne and Denise Schmieg, and Joel and Sue Schmieg, and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Visitation: 4-8 PM on Sunday June 15, Prayer service: 7 PM at St. Mary’s Church in Waverly. A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 16th, 2014 at St. Mary’s Church with visitation at 10 am and mass at 11 am.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home.

Bertha “Buddy” passed away at the Cokato Manor on June 9, 2014
Memorial Service: 11 AM Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato
Visitation: 4-8 PM Monday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and 1hr prior to service at church on Tuesday
Prayer Service; 7:30 PM Monday at the funeral home.
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery
Bertha “Buddy” Ailie Saari Nelson, 80

Bertha Ailie Saari was born on June 26, 1933 to Elizabeth & William Saari of rural Annandale, the youngest of 8 children. She passed away on June 9, 2014, at Cokato Manor, Cokato, MN with loved ones by her side.

Bertha was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church French Lake, MN. She was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN. She graduated from Annandale High School in 1951, Annandale, MN.

Bertha married the love of her life Donald Nelson on July 12, 1952. Don served in the US Army, stationed in Germany from 1954 to 1956. During this time they travelled extensively throughout Europe. Once Don was released from duty, they returned to their farm north of Cokato and continued to work the land for many years to come.

Their baby girl was born May 10, 1957 and died May 10, 1957. Their son Scott Donald was born January 2, 1959. Tragically, Scott was lost in a farming accident on July 2, 1960.

Buddy always kept herself busy being a farm wife, helping Don on the farm and working full time. She worked at 3M, Gilmer Monuments, Buffalo Courthouse House and lastly at Cokato School District / Dassel Cokato School District for 27 years, retiring in 1994.

She was a faithful loving wife to Don for over 61 years. They enjoyed extensive traveling (China, Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, most of the 50 states, Finland and Europe). She and Don enjoyed their daily ritual of cribbage games, never getting the elusive 29 game after 60+ years of trying. She was an avid golfer and swimmer.

In 1995 Don & Buddy bought their winter home in Apache Junction AZ There she could be found making teddy bears, attending the computer club, swimming, walking or golfing. Unfortunately she could not travel the past few years due to health reasons. In 2002 Don retired from farming and they built their retirement home on a portion of the land they had farmed for over 50 years.

Buddy was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth & William Saari, baby girl, son Scott, sisters Ethel (Bernard) Solberg, Dorothy (Henry) Lehtola, & Ferne (Harold) Hansen; brothers Harry & Willard (Ruth).

Buddy is survived by her loving and devoted husband Donnie, sisters Kathryn Gomez and Ruthe Saunders. She is also survived by 18 Saari nieces/nephews and their spouses, sisters-in-law Mildred Nelson and Shirley Tyni, along with 17 Nelson nieces/nephews and spouses. She is further survived by numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Buddy was dearly loved.

Lucille (Lucy) Gloria Lahr was born February 10, 1938 in Cokato, Minnesota, the daughter of Leland and Dorothy (Ostlund) Pettit. She was baptized at the First Baptist Church, Cokato and confirmed in her faith on April 14, 1957 by Reverend Melom at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard Lake. Lucy was married to Myron Lahr on August 11, 1956 at the First Baptist Church, Cokato by Reverend Olson. God blessed their marriage with two children.
Lucy was active in the community and her church. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School and knit or crocheted afghans and scarves for those in need as well as for friends and family. In 2009, she was instrumental in organizing the St. James Lutheran Church Directory. Playing cards and bingo were some of her favorite pastimes. She also enjoyed watching the Howard Lake Orphans baseball team in the summer months. Being with family was important to her especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter Breanne.
It was on June 8, 2014, while a resident at the St. Mary’s Care Center, Winsted that Lucy was called to her eternal rest having reached the age of 76 years, 3 months and 29 days.
She was preceded in death by her parents Leland and Dorothy Pettit; brother Leland (Sonny) Pettit, Jr.; brothers-in-law Benny Major, Leroy Taber, Melmer Lahr and Donald Johnson.
Lucy is survived by her husband Myron; daughter Yvonne (Brian) Currey; son Kenneth (Lisa) Lahr; grandchildren Shane, Asher and Jessica; great-granddaughter Breanne; special family friends Shakil and Darcy Khan; sisters Barbara (Tom) Schmieg, Ruth (Gary) Schmieg, Sandy (Leroy) Zander; sisters-in-law Doris (Heinie) Pettit-Vonmende, Marcella Major, Mavis Tabor, Renee Lahr, Diana (Jerry) Boettcher; brother-in-law Edwin (Lynne) Lahr.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Wednesday, June 11, at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake
Visitation: 4-8 PM Tuesday, at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake and 1hr prior to service at church on Wednesday
Interment: St. James Lutheran Cemetery

Mardel Eva Martinson, passed away at Cokato Manor on 6/5/2014. Funeral Service will be 2 PM Monday, 6/9/2014 at Edgwood Gables, 600 3rd Street East in Cokato. Visitation will begin at 1 PM. Interment will be at the Cokato City Cemtery
Mardel Eva Martinson was born August 3, 1923, in Cokato, Minnesota, to John and Gerda (Larsson) Martinson. She was confirmed at the Elim Mission Church and graduated from Cokato High School in 1941.

Following high school she attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. Upon graduating, she embarked on a career in the medical field, working a few years at Midway Hospital, after which she spent a year in Turlock, California. Finding California not to her liking, she returned to the Twin Cities and Midway Hospital. After several more years at Midway, Mardel started working with Dr. Lannan at Central Medical. After he retired, she worked for the Minnesota Department of Health until she retired.

Mardel lived in St. Paul most of her life and loved her city, particularly Como Park and Conservatory. She was also a troop leader for Campfire Girls and Bluebirds which resulted in some lifelong friendships.

Mardel was an adventurer. She traveled much of the world, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Sweden (three times) and much of Europe. She also enjoyed traveling in the States and was particularly fond of Glacier National Park and Colorado (where four of her sisters lived).

Mardel loved sweets. She was an excellent baker and was especially good at making candies. She loved to shop, most especially for clothes, and was always dressed to the nines. She also loved art and antiques (many of which she restored herself).

Mardel is survived by one older sister, Violet Peterson of Cokato, and one younger sister, Glorene Clements, married to Wendell Clements, of Sun City West, AZ. There are also six nieces and nephews: Marie Williamson of Amarillo, TX; John C. Martinson (Kristie) of Cokato; Mark G. Peterson (Marilyn) of Cokato; Bruce A. Martinson (Shelly) of Drayton, ND; James C. Martinson (Debbie) of Cokato; and Elizabeth A. Peterson (Harold Davis) of Minneapolis; as well as numerous great-nieces and -nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and many friends

John Theodore Johnson, age 70 of Delano went to be with the Lord on June 1, 2014 at the Golden Living Center in Delano. He was born September 18, 1943 in Cokato, MN to Sidney and Lillian (Tapio) Johnson. John was baptized and confirmed at North Crow River Lutheran Church. He attended Cokato High School and continued his education with the Job Corp. as a water treatment specialist in Mankato, MN. John worked at ConCleco and Vandale Companies as well as owning a lawn care service. He enjoyed watching Family Feud, listening to music, visiting with his family and friends. He would always have a big smile when you brought him his favorite treat “3 Musketeer” candy bars. Going with John was always an adventure. You never knew where you were going or when you would be back, he just drove. When John and his twin brother Peter were growing up, they were quite the mischievous pair. What one wouldn’t think of, the other one would. The stories we can tell. He will be greatly missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife JoAnn, twin brother, Peter, and son-in-law, Paul Johnson-Reuben.
John is survived by his children, Carol Jean Johnson, Laura Levine, Kevin (Brenda) Strauss, Keri Johnson-Reuben, Lawrence Kostohryz, Janet Kostohryz, Gary Kostohryz, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sister, Sharon (Jim) Bodeker, Aunt Lila Ryti, nephews, Shawn Johnson, Aaron (Rachelle) Johnson and family, niece Vanessa (Paul) Haekenkamp and family, sister-in-law Jeri (Howard) Johnson, and friend Charles Paschke, along with many other family and friends. A celebration of life will take place at North Crow River Lutheran Church of Cokato (Knapp) at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 7, 2014. A time of gathering will take place 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com