Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Neil Charles Sideen

Live Born 3-17-43 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Charles and Eleda Sideen. Baptized and confirmed at Gustavus Lutheran Church in St. Paul.

He passed away in McAllen, Texas on March 6, 2015 after over a year battle of complications after his heart surgery (LVAD).

Learn: Attended school in East St. Paul and graduated from Johnson High School in 1961. Got his bachelor degree from Augsburg College, Minneapolis; and his Masters Degree at the University of Iowa at Iowa City. He taught his first two years in Finlayson, MN and then taught 19 years in Howard Lake-Waverly where he taught English and set up the first Vocational Television program in the state (KRUM/KRUD). He also taught at the Hutchinson Technical College in TV production and AAS degree English.

His first job was as a paper boy and then worked at the YMCA in East St. Paul. After his Master’s degree he worked 26 years part and later full time at KTCA Public TV in St. Paul and later for KARE 11, Minneapolis and retired from Howard Lake Cable TV.

Love: He met Carol Jagusch in Howard Lake and they have been married for 41 years. They have hosted many exchange students and worked with foster children. They have volunteered in many local organizations in St. John’s Lutheran and Howard Lake; and most recently with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and READ dogs. Their most recent border collie was trained as a Therapy Dog by Neil and has volunteered at many local nursing homes, hospitals, schools and libraries. Neil loved Amatuer Radio and in everything helping people. He was very proud of his Swedish Heritage.

Leaving a Legacy: Neil has taught many students (mostly in high school and college) and was able to see the seeds he planted grow and flourish. He was teaching in some fashion until the last day.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; faithful companion, Penny; sister in law, Helen (Roger) Manthei; sister in law, Carol Ann Sideen; niece Denise (Clayton) McNeff; niece Diane Sideen and nephew Daniel Sideen; exchange student sons: Jan Roth (Germany), Per Bjalkander (Sweden/Congo), Rudiger Hansel (Germany), Martin Belkert (Sweden) and Thomas Gothlin (Sweden); many cousins (mostly in Canada) and many, many friends, co-workers and former students.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Eleda Sideen; in laws, Robert F. and Martha Jagusch; brother, Wesley Sideen; nephew, David Sideen; and many aunts and uncles.

His celebration of life will be at 11 AM, Monday, March 16, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran, Howard Lake; followed by a luncheon and burial at Union Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be 3-7 PM on Sunday, 3/15 at St. John’s church and 1hr prior to service at church on Monday.

Memorials are preferred. Neil has worked with many unbelieveable organizations and money will be given to: Caring Bridge, the LVAD program, the Therapy Dogs group/READ group, St. John’s Lutheran of Howard Lake and to a scholarship for students.

Well done my good and faithful servant!

Hoyhtya, Josephine Ann
age 82, of Cokato passed away on February 24, 2015 at the Cokato Manor. Jo was born May 20, 1932 in St Paul, Minnesota to Orion and Frances (Kohanek) Kingstedt. She was baptized at 16 after giving her life to Christ. Jo was united in marriage to Wilmer Hoyhtya on November 15, 1954 in Big Fork, Minnesota. This union was blessed with her greatest joy, 5 children.
She belonged to Cokato TOPS, taught herself to play the guitar, and enjoyed spending time with her family.
Jo is survived by her husband, Wilmer, children, David (Kathy) Hoyhtya of Cokato, Kathy (Keith) Herrmann of Glencoe, and Kenneth (Sheri) Hoyhtya of Cokato, daughter-in-law, Jennie Hoyhtya of Arizona, grandchildren, Stephanie (Greg) Morrison, Crystal (Bjorn) Bakke, Luke (Lindsay) Hoyhtya, Adam (Jennifer) Johnson, Jennifer (Derrick) Todnem, Samantha (Aaron) Peterson, and Kaycie Kellogg, great-grandchildren, Mason, Evan, Aunnalise, Erica, Sydney, Isabelle, Spencer, Julia, Ethan, Noah, Kylan, Baylynn, Makenna, and Kaden, brother Owen (Lois) Kingstedt, and sister-in-law, Gerri Kingstedt.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sons, John and Steven, and brothers, Roger and Richard.
A celebration of Jo’s life took place at 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Elim Mission Church in Cokato with a visitation 1 hour prior to the service.

After passing away at her home in rural Cokato, Betty Jean Johnson, age 84, celebrated her heavenly homecoming on February 8, 2015. Betty, the youngest daughter of Oscar and Elsie Olean, was born on August 26, 1930. She grew up in the Annandale area, graduated in 1948 from Annandale High School, and then lived and worked in St. Paul, Minnesota. Betty was united in marriage to the love of her life, Russell Albert Johnson, on May 13, 1950 at Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale. She worked at the State Bank of Cokato up until 1953 when Russ entered the US Army. They traveled together to army bases in Missouri, Virginia, South Carolina and Tennessee for two years, and upon returning to Minnesota in 1955, Russ and Betty purchased the Johnson Family Homestead seven miles north of Cokato. Over the next several years they worked together to raise four children, farm and establish an electrical business which serviced the community for more than 40 years. During the early years of the business, Betty worked at National Connectors to support the family and fledgling business. In 1984, Betty returned to the State Bank of Cokato where she worked until her retirement in 2014. Throughout their life together, Betty and Russ were active members of North Crow River Lutheran Church in Knapp, MN.
Like the women described in Proverbs, one of her favorite books of the Bible, Betty was known for her noble character, wisdom, generosity, faithful instruction, kindheartedness and genuine love. She lived each moment in the awareness of God’s delight in all of His creation and found fulfillment in being His servant and spotlighting this joy for others. Her optimistic approach allowed her to recognize each moment, ordinary or unique, as an opportunity to learn, to grow, to understand or to celebrate. Betty carried herself with a gentle poise and quiet confidence stemming from a genuine love and concern for all people, especially her family. To them she gave the gifts of love, faith, patience and self-acceptance. Her entire family has been blessed by this remarkable woman and is thankful God placed them in this life together.

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31: 31

Left to cherish Betty’s memory are her children Debra (Neal) Wahlman of Plymouth, Marion (Phil) Lee of Cokato, Randy (Lynda) Johnson of Cokato, and Teri (Jim) Johnson of Big Lake, grandchildren Jon (Jenny) Lee, Bengt (Emily) Lee, Noah (Laura) Lee, Annalicia (Phil) Niemela, Grant Johnson, Zachary Johnson, Calab Johnson, Kate Johnson, Brianna Johnson, Jeremy (Mary) Wahlman-Krogh and Jason (Kristi) Wahlman, great grandchildren Katelyn, Kezia, Ezra, Lilly, Owen, Violet and Etta Lee, Josie and Henry Wahlman, sister Elma Peterson and many relatives and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Johnson, infant son, Mark, parents, Oscar and Elsie Olean and brothers Clarence, Walter, Harold and Robert Olean. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 13, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Cokato with visitation on Thursday, February 12, 2015 evening from 4-7 PM at the church and one hour prior to funeral services. Interment will be in the North Crow River Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Mildred Mavis Haapala passed away at Golden Living Center of Hopkins on February 6, 2015.

Funeral service: 11 AM Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at North Crow River Lutheran Church (North of Cokato)
Visitation: 4-8 PM Tuesday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, and 1 hr prior to service at church on Wednesday
Interment: Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery of French Lake.

Horsch, Marlys Eileen
age 80, of Howard Lake passed away peacefully on February 5, 2015 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on April 2, 1934 in French Lake Township to William and Lucille (Daly) Nelson. Marlys was baptized on December 20, 1934 in South Haven, MN. and confirmed at the Evangelical Free Lutheran Church in Minneapolis on April 25, 1948. She graduted from Cokato High School in 1952. Marlys met Burton Horsch rollerskating in Cokato and they were united in marriage on April 16, 1955 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. In 1963, they purchased their current residence, a family farm in rural Victor Township.
Marlys was very active on the family farm and in the church and community. She enjoyed spending her time driving the lawn mower. Marlys also spent her time gardening, sewing, baking, and with the Howard Lake Seniors. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family.
Survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Burton, children, Aaron (Stacy) Horsch, and Amy (Carl) Fredricks, grandchildren, Adam and Noah Horsch, Jasmine Meservey, Casssandra Fredricks, and Stacie (Shane) Derichs, brothers Dale Nelson, and Dennis (Nancy) Nelson, sister Linda (Dean) Rasmussen.
Preceded in death by her parents, and brother Rodney Nelson.
Visitation: Saturday, February 7, 2015, 3-7 PM at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake and 1 hour prior to the service at church.
Funeral Service: Sunday, February 8, 2015, 2PM at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake.
Interment to follow service at Sunset Cemetery in French Lake Township.