Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

EarlaMae Erickson was born in Litchfield, Minnesota on March 10, 1924 to William and Clara (Nelson) Benson. She grew up on the farm between Kingston and Happy Corner. Attended school first in Kingston and graduated from Cokato High School in 1941. She attended Sunday school at the Swedish Mission Church of French Lake and was confirmed there on October 11, 1936.

On March 28, 1942 EarlaMae married Vernon Erickson at the Grace Lutheran Church of French Lake. They lived on the Erickson home place and shared 61 years of marriage. God blessed them with 4 children. As a young wife and mother Earla Mae received the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior. Vernon passed away in 2003. They were members of Grace Lutheran Church where EarlaMae taught Sunday school, and Vacation Bible School, was an active member in Ladies Aid, Bible study and Bible School. Bible camp was very important to her. They also belonged to Our Saviors Lutheran Church of French Lake, and were charter members of Good Shepard Free Lutheran Church. They also belonged to the Hauge Federation.

As a young girl EarlaMae worked at the Annandale Bakery, then the Sweet Shop of Cokato, Fitzgerald’s, Northland Canning, Richwell Furniture, and finally the Annandale Dairy Queen. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and embroidery, writing and entertaining. Her family was the most important to her.

EarlaMae moved to Eventide Lutheran Home of Moorhead in 2005. She passed away there on January 11, 2014. She had reached the age of 89 years, 10 months and 1 day.

Survivors include children: James of Annandale, Joan of Moorhead, Michael (Bev) of Annandale and Marlys (Daniel) Lund of Moorhead. 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. Sister Audrey Inselman of South Haven. Many nieces and nephews other relatives and friends.

EarlaMae was preceded in death by; her husband Vernon, her parents, sisters Opel Hamel, Ilene Anderson, and Pauline Norberg. Son-in-law Sophus Mathison, daughter-in-law Alice Erickson

Funeral Service: 11 AM Wednesday, January 15 at the Good Shepard Free Lutheran Church of Cokato

Visitation: 4-8 PM Tuesday, at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato

Prayer service 7PM Tuesday

Interment Church Cemetery

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 4, 2014 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN for Lorayne Pearl Erickson, age 87 who died at the Litchfield Hospital on the 1st of January. Burial will be at Grace Lutheran Church following the service and lunch.
Visitation will be with family and friends, January 3rd from the hours of 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM.
Lorayne was born January 23, 1926 in Watertown, MN to Fred and Hulda (Vidlund) Wendorf. She married Daniel Erickson on August 15, 1942 to which were born 9 children.
Lorayne attended Annandale High School leaving after the 11th grade. While raising her children, she also helped with the milking of the cows, various field activities, did finishing of woodwork in many homes that her husband built and remodeled and other various jobs.
Her strong Faith and Prayers were an inspiration to many and were displayed by the many letters and cards that she sent to her loved ones. She would write about what her Lord and Savior meant to her filling the letters and cards with Bible verses and thoughts. She felt bad during the last year that she couldn’t write anymore, but her words portrayed the love of Jesus to people.
She is survived by her 9 children, Rodney of Cokato, Kenneth (Joan) of St. Cloud, Calvin (Connie) of French Lake, Ralph (Jill) of Eagle Bend, Paul (Patti Jo) of South Haven, Cathrinne (Steve Angell) of Monticello, Karen Leibel of Coon Rapids, Pamela Braatz of Cokato and Cynthia Scherping of Cokato. She is also survived by 28 Grandchildren, 46 Great-Grandchildren, Sister Virginia (Ginny) Anderson of Cokato, Brother Harold Wendorf of Bayport, Sister-in-laws, Earla Mae Erickson of Moorhead and Elaine Erickson of Plymouth.
She was preceded in death by her Husband in 2002, her Brother, Hartwell Wendorf, Daughter-in-law, Lanette Erickson and Grandson, Brandon Scherping.
May God Bless the many memories of Lorayne as she has been welcomed into Heaven.

Helmke, Ronald H.

Age 78, St. Louis Park, MN.

Born December 10, 1935, Lake Wilson, MN, passed away surrounded by family on December 24, 2013, following a courageous, six-year battle with multiple myeloma. Ron worked for Sterling Electric for 31 years as a salesman, retiring in 1993. He loved his family, his dog “Bo Diddley,” being retired, his cabin on Bay Lake, reading John Sanford mysteries, all Minnesota sports teams, the outdoors, a good bargain, and spaghetti. Ron is survived by his loving wife Lana, children Bruce (Kathryn A.), Brent (Kathryn F.), Jill Tricola (Joe); grandchildren Lindsay, Amy, Luke, Justin and Jordan; great-grandchildren Cameron, Parker and Jace; sister, Darlene Davidson (Duane); former wife, Nita Miller (Jim); and many nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by mother, Lillian, father Henry, brothers Darrell, Gene, Dale, and David. Ron was loved by all and will be missed. A celebration of Ron’s life will be held on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park. Visitation at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m. and luncheon at noon. Memorials preferred to Bay Lake Camp or Bay Lake Environmental Association.

Barberg, Peter Ralph
age 71, passed away on December 24, 2013 at the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home in Chaska, Minnesota. Peter was born on June 6, 1942 at his parents, Ralph and Laina home in Cokato, Minnesota. He graduated from Cokato High School in 1960. Peter continued his education at Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska. Later he was accepted into Naval Aviation school in Pensacola, Florida, where he became a flight instructor. While there he met and married his wife Paula Mullins. This union was blessed with 3 children, Kevin (Kelleylynn), Karla (Paul) Rainville, and Kirk. After his time spent in the Navy, Peter was employed by American Airlines. Along with flying, Peter enjoyed travel and later mining of precious metals. He is survived by his 3 children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren, siblings, Grace Pierre-Louis, Keith (Janet) Barberg, Marianne (Phil) Nelson, and Colleen (Terry) Milford, along with other nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service will take place at a later date.

Olga Noreen Samuelson passed away at the Cokato Manor on December 25, 2013.

Funeral Service: 1:30 PM Sunday, December 29, at First Baptist Church of Cokato

Olga Noreen Tudahl Samuelson was born April 28, 1919 in Peterson, Minnesota. Olga was the oldest child of Ole and Nella Tudahl. She had three brothers and four sisters. Being the oldest of eight children, Olga took care of her younger siblings when her mother got sick and ended up in the hospital. Olga was baptized and confirmed at Hyland Prairie Lutheran Church in Peterson, Minnesota.

Olga worked as a waitress in Rushford, MN. When she met and married Ray Samuelson in 1940. They lived for one year in Rushford and then moved to Redwing, MN where they resided for 2 years. When Ray’s dad retired in 1943 Olga and Ray moved to Cokato to run the family farm and raise their 2 children. In 1990 they moved off the farm into a home in Cokato where she resided until she entered Cokato Manor on October 31, 2012.

Olga passed away on December 25, 2013 at Cokato Manor at the age of 94 years, 7 months and 27 days.

Olga enjoyed painting, crafting, sewing and gardening. She was very talented at painting. Many friends and family now enjoy the memories she created. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Cokato and served on various committees through out her years.

Olga is survived by son Marlo (Jean) of Albertville, MN. And daughter Mary Jo (Robert) of Cokato, MN. She was a proud grandmother of 4 grandchildren: Kimberly, Tammy, Gregory, and Michael. Five great grandchildren: Alex, Danielle, Derek, Halley, and Kaitlyn. Sisters: Viola Bakken, and Ruby Tudahl both of Bloomington, MN. Olga is preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters.

Olga lived a long and fulfilled life. She was always surrounded by many loving family members and friends. She was always thankful for all the loving care she received at Cokato Manor. She now lives with her Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.