Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

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.

Stanley Addison Pettit, passed away at the Cokato Manor on December 23, 2013

Memorial Service will be at 2 PM Monday, December 30, 2013, at the First Baptist Church of Cokato.

Stanley Addison Pettit age 78 of Cokato, died Monday, December 23, 2013 at Cokato Manor. Stanley was born July 28, 1935 in Cokato Township, the son of Arthur and Lillian (Tuey) Pettit. He was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Cokato. Stanley married Betsy Monson on December 4, 1982. Stanley grew up and lived in the Howard Lake/Cokato area all of his life. He owned and worked his farm north of Smith Lake for many years, plus the Pettit family farm. Stanley is survived by a sister-in-law Gert Pettit, nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.

Stanley was preceded in death by his wife, his parents Arthur and Lillian Pettit, his brother Donald, his sister Myrtle Hardy, and brother-in-law Lawrence Hardy.

Robert Francis Wisuri was born to Jacob & Ida Wisuri on January 11, 1935 at Ishpeming Michigan Hospital. He lived at his childhood home in Humbolt Michigan, until he graduated from Champion High School in 1953. He then moved to Detroit Michigan, where he worked for four years, after which he attended Michigan Tech University for 2 years. Robert then lived for a short time in Whittier California. In the early 1960′s, Robert went to Minneapolis where he met his wife, Lorraine Aho. On March 31, 1962 they were united in marriage; to this union they were blessed with ten children. Bob & Lorraine first made their home in the Minneapolis area and then in 1968 Robert found employment at 3M Company in Hutchinson MN, so they moved their family to Cokato MN where they resided until Robert’s death.

Bob peacefully passed away at home on December 13, 2013. He is survived by his wife Lorraine, children Anne (Nathan) Wuollet of Cokato, Laura Wisuri of Cokato, Duane (Sara) Wisuri of Champion MI, Rita (John) Mattila of Cokato, Wendy (Curt) Simonson of Cokato, Doug (Lana) Wisuri of Cokato, Ken Wisuri of Phoenix, AZ, Glenn (Melanie) of Phoenix, AZ and Mary (Jason) Long of Oak Park Heights, MN. He is also survived by 48 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, three brothers, George, Melvin & Edd, and three sisters, Betty Wisuri, Anita Tolkinen & Faye Erickson. He was preceded in death by his son David, his parents Jacob and Ida Wisuri, two Brothers Ray & John Wisuri and two sisters Marie Edwards & Ruth Woodford.

Funeral service, Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 11:00 am. Visitation December 16, 2013, 4-8pm and 1 hr. prior to service all at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church.