Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

John David “JD” Rahkola

John David Rahkola was born in Virginia, Minnesota on March 9^th 1979. He peacefully passed away in his sleep on February 4^th, 2013. JD was raised in Embarrass, MN for the first 8 years of his life, then lived for 10 years in Elk River, MN and then moved to Cokato, MN where he graduated from Dassel – Cokato High School and lived for the next 17 years. He graduated from Saint Cloud Tech with a Civil Engineering Technician Degree. He also graduated from Crown College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministry. JD worked for MNDOT in the Twin Cities as a surveyor.

JD now resides in Heaven with his sister Katie, brother Thomas, Grandmother Ruth Rahkola, Uncle Bruce, Aunt Dagny and other family members who have gone on before.

He is survived by his parents John and JulieAnn (Johnson) Rahkola. Siblings: Karen (Roy) Bekkala & children Amber, Nicole, Ethan & Olivia, Tami Rahkola & son Weston, Mark (Katie) Rahkola, Angie Rahkola, Steven (Amanda) Rahkola, Michael Rahkola (Sammy Smith), & Donna Rahkola.  Along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends whom were all blessed by his presence in their lives.

JD dedicated his life to Christ and helping others in need. JD loved snowmobiling, riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, camping, photography, art, teaching and spending quality time with family and friends.

JD touched the lives of many people with his willingness to give selflessly with all of his heart and sharing his faith with all he came in contact with whether by words or deeds.  JD will forever be remembered by his family & friends.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of his life on Saturday, February 9th, 2013 at 2 PM with visitation1 hour prior at the First Baptist Church, located at 395 Broadway Ave N, Cokato, Minnesota 55321.

Willard Anton Jarvi was born to Anton and Fannie Jarvi at their home in Cokato Township on October 15, 1922.  He attended school through the ninth grade and spent the next several years working on the family farm.

Willard enlisted in the United States Army in January 1943 at the age of 20. He served in the European and Mediterranean theaters with the 5th and 7th armies in World War II.  He reached the rank of Private First Class and was honorably discharged in November 1945.

Following the war, Willard continued working on the farm and for Cokato Township grading and repairing the roads in the summer and
plowing the roads in the winter. For a short time he worked at the John Mansville factory in Chicago. He returned to Minnesota and worked for Sico, Inc. from 1957 until his retirement in 1983.

On January 18, 1964 Willard married Carol Peterson.  They moved to north Minneapolis where their son Troy was born on October 18, 1964.  After his retirement, he and Carol moved back to Cokato where he lived until his death.

Willard loved fishing, fishing and fishing in the lakes around the Cokato area.  He and Carol spent many hours in their boat; his prize catch was a 21-pound Northern.  In addition to being a fisherman, he was an avid bowler and bowled on a league for many years.  In his later years, he enjoyed spending time at the Marketplace, chatting and catching up with friends.

Willard passed away at the St. Cloud VA hospital on January 21 at the age of 90 after a short illness.  He is preceded in death by his wife Carol, his parents, brothers Walter and Paul and sisters Martha, Elma and Verna.  He is survived by son Troy, daughter-in-law Suzanne, grandsons Ian and Reid, brothers Ed and Ray and many nephews, nieces and in-laws.  He was a caring father, doting grandfather and a good man.  He will be deeply missed.

Funeral service: Friday, January 25, 2013, 2pm at North Crow River Lutheran Church, North of Cokato.

Visitation: 1 hour prior to services at the church.

Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery immediately following service at church.

Raymond John Kaczmarek

Ray was born on August 20, 1927 in Silver Lake, Minnesota to John and Emily Kaczmarek.  He was a little brother to five older sisters.  In 1946 he joined the Army and served in St. Johns, Newfoundland in the military police.  After returning Ray met Barbara Smith while driving school bus for Ralph Holt.  Barb and Ray celebrated their 61^st anniversary on June 13, 2012. They raised five children; Jayne, Deb, Jeff, Cindy and John.  Ray was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and great granddaughter and their accomplishments.

Ray purchased Cokato Implement in 1961.  He spent 30 years in the implement business selling John Deere products and service. He will be remembered for his passion for farming, land preservation and treating his staff and customers with respect and honesty.

Ray was an avid outdoorsman and exposed his children and grandchildren to hunting and fishing.  He loved his lake home on Ten Mile Lake in Hackensack.  A good day for Ray was coffee, watching the birds, fishing and watching the sunset while telling stories about his travels and friends.

He also was involved in the community serving as a councilman, a member of the Cokato Volunteer Fire Department, a member of Cokato Charitable Trust, Board of Director at the State Bank of Cokato, Color Guard for the American Legion and on the Finance Committee at St. Mary’s Church in Waverly.
Preceeded in death by his parents, daughter Jayne Keeville and his five sisters.  Survived by sons; Jeffrey (Suzanne, Kyle (Jen) and Amy), John (Jodi, Mitchell and Dustin), daughters; Debra (Mark Pehrson, Christopher (Katie) and EmilyAnne (Tony Ebner)), Cindy Kaczmarek, son-in-law Jerry Keeville (Jeremy (Renee and great-grand daughter Tenley)), step grandchildren; Ross, Kera and Katy, and a special foreign exchange student Angela Bosso (Cesar, Julia and Matheus).

Funeral service: Wed., 1/16, 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly. Visitation: Tue., 1/15, 4-8 pm, with 7pm prayer, at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato and 1 hr. prior to services at church.

Passed away on January 10, 2013 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital of Minneapolis.

Memorial Service 2 PM Tuesday January 15, 2013,  at St. Johns Lutheran Church of Howard Lake

Visitation 4-8PM Monday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake

Prayer Service 7 PM Monday at the Funeral Home

Spring Interment Howard Lake Cemetery

Shirley Jane Westphal was born on September 28, 1922 to William and Vanessa
(Clemens) Bowen at Glenwood, Minnesota.  She grew up in Soudan and Glenwood,
Minnesota, graduating from Glenwood
High School in 1940.

After graduation she traveled to Howard
Lake to help her sister Lillian
Munson take care of her young family, while there she met Donald Wesphal.  They were married on March 14, 1943.

In addition to being a full time housewife and mother,
Shirley has been a telephone operator, worked at Custers Super Value, Tonka
Toys, the Howard Lake Herald, and her favorite job at Howard Lake Schools.

Shirley was very active at St.
John’s Lutheran Church
of Howard Lake.
And a member of the Uffda Club.

Shirley passed away at Abbott Northwestern Hospital of
Minneapolis on January 10, 2013.  She had reached the age of 90 years, 3months
and 22 days.

Suriviors include her children: Genell K. Reese of Howard
Lake, Bruce (Bobbi) Westphal of
Dayton, Nevada, and Jerrod (Ann) Westphal of Milaca, Minnesota.  Grandchildren: Christopher Westphal of Grand
Forks, North Dakota, Jason Westphal of Grand Forks, Alexi (Parhelium) Wesphal
of Minot, North Dakota, Amanda (Robert) Chambers of Carson City Navada, John
Reese of Howard Lake, Ashley Westphal of St. Bonifacious, Minnesota nd Lindsey
Westphal of Milaca, Minnesota.  2
great-grandchildren Mackade and Isaac Chambers.
Sister Verna (Maurice) Kellander, sister-in-law Jean Bowen,
Brother-in-law Wilfred (Mary) Westphal and Roger (Butch) Westphal.

Shirley is preceded in death by: parents William and Vanessa
Bowen, husband Donald, and  Brothers:
Truman Bowen, Willard (Ruth) Bowen, and Warren (Maxine) Bowen.  Sisters: Lillian (Floyd) Munson, Beth Nemes,
Alice (Pat) Ketcham, Inez (Paul) Norlien, Elsie (Virgil) Cummins.  Sister-in-law Eleanore (Gervase) Sexton and
Lois Westphal.