Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Finch, Bradford D.
LOVING FATHER & GRANDFATHER

age 96, of Golden Valley, Plymouth, Minnetonka, & Cokato, MN, passed away peacefully, just into the New Year, on Sunday, January 5, 2014. Preceded in death by Dearest Wife, “Frankie” & Sister, “Betty” Schroder of Bellevue, WA. Survived by his children, daughter, Cathie (Skip) Hall of Annandale; son, John (Debbie) Finch of Brooklyn Park; six grandchildren: Britt Stroup & son, E.J., Tucker (Emily) Hall & daughters, Clara, Naomi & June, Emily (Justin) Kolflat & sons, Jeremy & Robbie, Tracy (Andre) Levin & son, Henrik, Allison (Luke) Eppard & sons, Drew & Jack, Jamie (Megan) Finch; Nieces: Heather Adams, Diane Zehnder, Betsy Adams, & Robin Robertson, & their families, in the Pacific Northwest; Special Cousins, Charlane Macon & Ronald Finch of Florida; along with a multitude of Special & Dear Friends in MN, MT, IA & Germany. Brad was born in West Union, Iowa, on June 5, 1917, to Aulden Duane & Xanta (Talcott) Finch. He graduated from West Union High School & went on to both Luther College & the University of Iowa, graduating with a Degree in Law. During WWII, Brad served onboard The USS Merick, later becoming a LTCMDR in the US Naval Air Corps as a Flight Instructor. Working into his 90’s, Brad’s Insurance Business, VIP, featured Estate Planning & Annuities for individuals, school districts & businesses. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter & Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, member of the Golden Valley Rotary, Little League Coach, Pack & Scout Master of GV Troup 306, Dale Carnegie Instructor & Direct Descendant of Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth Colony. Brad enjoyed spending time with Family & Friends, Fly Fishing on the Bitterroot, blazing trails on his 4-Wheeler and Dirt Bikes, along with loving Endless Summers at the Cabin in MT. He’ll especially miss Sat. Morning Bible Study with the “Guys” in Cokato & sends Special Hugs to Friends & Loving Care Givers at Cokato Manor.
A Gathering of Family & Friends to be held Wednesday, January 22, 2 PM, at The Cokato Manor Chapel, 182 Sunset Ave., Cokato, MN. The family will greet friends ½ hour prior to the service. Memorials may be sent to the Donor’s Choice.
*Arrangements with Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home, Cokato, MN 320-286-2534

With Final Resting Spot to be in Montana…at the Cabin…by The River-The LAST BEST PLACE!

Norma Jean Donovan passed away at Cokato Manor on January 12, 2014

Funeral Service: 11 AM Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Wasburn McReavy Swanson Chapel at 1600 Lowry Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dale Alen Dodge passed away at his home in rural Dassel on January 12, 2014.

Memorial Service: 2PM Saturday, January 18, at Stockholm Lutheran Church South of Cokato

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

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.