Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Harkman, Mardell (Micky) Ruth, 93 of Brooklyn Center, passed away on July 14, 2015 in Elko, MN. Survivors include: son Mark of Englewood CO., Son-in-law Larry Meehan of otswego, Grandchildren: Tamie (Mark) Morken of Applevalley, Mark (Missy) Meehan of Albertville. Funeral Service: 11 AM Friday, July 17, 2015 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato, Visitation Begins 1hr prior to service, Interment Stockholm Lutheran Cemetery.

Ralph Trueman Wicker, age 93, died July 4, 2015, in Buffalo. Ralph was a nearly lifelong resident of Cokato. He was born there on Jan. 29, 1922, and after wedding Vivian Stein on April 10, 1948, was married for 67 years and raised three children there.

After serving in the Marines and being stationed in Hawaii and Japan during and after World War II, Ralph was employed by local companies Johnson Produce and Dura Supreme for many years. One of his true passions, however, was gardening. Many family members and friends got to share in the beauty of Ralph’s flowers and the bounty of his vegetable garden. He also loved reading, traveling, spending time with his family, stamp collecting and serving the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church in a variety of roles, including as a church council member and Sunday School teacher.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Vivian, of Monticello; daughters Ann McDonald of Mashpee, Mass., and Kay Wicker of Minneapolis; son Brian (Robin) of St. Michael; and grandchildren Kristin (Tom) Maynard of Mulberry, Fla., and Matt McDonald of Hyannis, Mass. He was preceded in death by his parents, Timothy and Esther Wicker, brother Dennis and sister Donna.

A memorial service will be held Monday, July 13, at 1PM. at Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. Visitation will be 4-9 PM Sunday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Cokato. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given in his name to the church.

Gerald “Gerry” William Hummell of Howard Lake passed at the age of 64 on June 17th. Celebrate my passing for I am with the Lord. I run willingly into the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. I was born into the Spirit of God at the age of 18. My passion grew and matured as I studied the Word of God. Jesus is holding me tenderly as I am reunited with my son Lance and my mom and dad. Pain, grief. Illness and misfortune are not part of my heavenly existence. I bask in the love of the Lord now and forever more. My hopes and dreams are passed to my beloved children Abbie Elizabeth (Tim ) Foster, Rebecca Sue Hummell, Cory Mikael Hummell, Brett Raphael Hummell, Bryce Caleb Hummell and stepchildren Carisue Flores, Scott Gilbert and Mark Gilbert and many grandchildren. My wife Ann Elizabeth and I shared a wonderful journey. My sister Chris (Gary ) Chapman and brother David Hummell remain alive and precious in the eyes of the Lord. Lovingly written by Ann.
Proceeded in death by son, Lance Hummell.

A celebration of Gerry’s life will take place at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 24 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, with visitation beginning 1 hour prior to the service.

Berg, Beverly Ann
age 77, of Cokato passed away on June 15, 2015 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was born June 24, 1937 in Silver Lake, Minnesota to Milo and Lauretta (Bartush) Pipal, and grew up on a farm near Cokato. Beverly attended Dahl country school for 6 years and graduated from Cokato High School in 1955. She then attended the Minneapolis School of Business and worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at the University of Minnesota, Cokato High School, Bethel College, Cokato Manor, and Dassel-Cokato High School. Beverly was also co-owner of Cokato Nursery. She was united in marriage to Eugene Berg in 1961, after he came to Cokato High School in 1960 to teach math and science. In 1967, Gene and Beverly adopted their son, Michael, and 2 ½ years later their daughter, Maria. They lived on their 50 acre farm where they later started the Cokato Nursery, at first as a hobby that later became their retirement.
Beverly was an active member of First Baptist Church of Cokato for over 50 years, serving as clerk, Sunday school teacher, deaconess, and secretary for Pastor Danville Swanson. She sent bulletins to absent attendees, and tried to give home knit mittens to every lady in church. Beverly was also a member of the Legion Auxiliary, and volunteered at the local food shelf and thrift store.
Survived by her children, Mike (Monica) Berg, and Maria Berg, grandchildren, Morgan and Micah Berg, and Lauren Johnson, brothers, Eldon and Wesley (Vuriel) Pipal, sister, Lorraine Borchardt, and sister-in-law, Millie Pipal.
Proceeded in death by her parents, and husband, Gene.
Beverly loved the Lord, and coffee! Bring your own mug and join her family for one last cup in memory of Bev. A celebration of her life will take place at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 26, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Cokato.

LaCroix, Roger Gilbert Jr.
age 60, of Howard Lake passed away after a long courageous battle with cancer on May 19, 2015. Preceded in death by his parents, Joan and Roger “Rocky” LaCroix. Survived by his loving wife, Sandy, daughter Shannon, granddaughter, Shai, honorary granddaughter, Rianna, sisters, Terry, Michele (Jim), Jeanne (Stewart), brother, Laurence (Deb), along with many other family, friends, and furry friends. Private Mass.