Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Mildred Raisanen (Halonen), age 82, of Cokato, passed away February 16, 2013.

Mildred E. Halonen was born on January 22, 1931, in Hazelton, North Dakota to Charles and Tyyne Halonen. She spent her childhood years in the Dakotas, until the family moved to Minnesota, where she graduated from White Bear Lake High School. Millie was confirmed as a youth in the Christian faith at the Laestadian Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

Millie met Paul Raisanen in late 1952, and they were married in September 1953 in Minneapolis. They farmed in West Albion area for a few years before moving to a farm north of Cokato in 1957. There they farmed and raised their children until retirement in 1990. At that time, Millie and Paul moved to the town of Cokato, where they spent their golden years.

Millie passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 19 at the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran
Church, and burial was at the Cokato Finnish Cemetary.

Millie is survived by her husband of 59 years, Paul; children Randall (Sheryle Sturos), Warren (Brita Bekkala), and Susan of Arizona; Joan (Mark Kotila), Mary (George Koivukangas), Gordon (Ruth Hannus), Kenneth (Pearl Phillips), Bruce (Patricia Johnson), Carolyn Mattila, Heidi (Larry Torola), Dwight, Laura (Evan Bekkala), and Philip, of Minnesota; Gretchen (Mark Plough), and Kirsti (Nick Lang) of Washington, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, several sisters and brothers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother, twobrothers, a sister, a son-in-law, two grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

Funeral service Tuesday, February 19, 11 am at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church.

Visitation 1 hr prior to service at church and Monday, February 18, 4-8pm with 7pm prayer at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato

Donald Allan Triplett was born to Cecil and Marie (Nelson) Triplett on August 2, 1925 in Gimmel, MN., the youngest of 8 children.  Don was at home until he entered the Howard Lake Good Samaritan for a brief stay, passing away peacefully on February 9, 2013 after attaining the age of 87 years. Don was baptized on Nov 29, 1934 in the Lutheran Faith. He grew up in the metro area before coming to Howard Lake with his family to a farm south of Howard Lake in 1934.

He attended Cory school in Victor Township and Cokato High School.  He enlisted in the Navy on Oct 5, 1943 and went to boot camp in Farragut, Idaho.  He was then assigned to the Aircraft Carrier CVE 80 USS Petrof Bay.  Most of the time served on the aircraft carrier, was in the South Pacific.  He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He was discharged on Oct 2, 1945.  He was a member of VFW Post 1901 and of the American Legion Post 0145.

Don married Gladys (Mauk) on March 30 1946. Two sons were born to this union, John Allan and Robert Daniel.

Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, and son Robert of Mound, three grandchildren, Michelle (William) Cline of Jefferson City, Missouri, Daniel of Montrose, James of St Paul, six great grand children, Dylan, Taylor & Ethyn Triplett and Tanner, Adam & Robert Cline. He is further survived by his sisters Lois “Babe” Gustafson and Marlys “Sis” Westling of Howard Lake and brother Duane of Seattle WA and also by many friends and family members.

Don was preceded in death by his son John, his granddaughter Allison Andrews, his parents, brothers Irwin, Roger, Robert, Bruce, and sister Irene Sherer.

The family wish to express their gratitude for your kindness, words of comfort and deeds, invite you to join them for fellowship and lunch at the American Legion Post following the committal service. Funeral service: Wednesday, February 13 at 11am, with visitation Tuesday, February 12, 4-8pm and 1 hour prior to service with 7pm prayer, all at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake (320)543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

In leiu of flowers, memorials preffered to Parkinsons Foundation.

Don will be laid to rest next to his son and granddaughter in the HL City Cemetery.

Visitation 5-8 PM Tuesday February 12, 2013 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato

Prayer Service at 6PM.

Jacqueline Joy (Babler) Weibel  was born June 11, 1937 in Minneapolis to John
and Donna (Quimby)Babler and was baptized into the Catholic faith at the
Minneapolis Cathedral.

She attended Mound High School and graduated in 1955. She
married Pete Reynolds and had 2 children, Cyndi Reynolds-Conway and Steve
Reynolds. Many years later, Jackie met and married the love of her life, Stan
Weibel, Sr. They were united in marriage in Watertown, South Dakota on
September 12, 1969 and it was the beginning of an amazing 30 years of true love
and companionship. Stan and Jackie had 2 children, Stan Jr. and Donna and
raised their family in Winsted.

For many years, she was a stay-at-home mom and volunteered
for the American Legion Auxillary and delivered meals-on-wheels. Jackie began
working part-time for the Walser dealership occasionally. She entered the work
force full-time and worked for the Herald-Journal papers doing advertising
sales and design. Then she joined the family business, Snow and Sun Country in
Cokato and thoroughly enjoyed worked alongside her husband and son every day.

She loved tending to the outdoor birds and flowers and spent
hours in the kitchen baking and cooking and shared her goods with everyone
.  In her younger years, she loved to
sing and dance to the oldies with her husband. The most important thing she
enjoyed in her later years was visiting with her kids and grandkids and sharing
a pot of coffee with friends that stopped by.

Jackie is survived by her children: Stan Weibel, Jr. of
Cokato; Steve Reynolds of Colorado; (Joe) Cyndi Reynolds- Conway of Atlanta;
(Rick) Donna Billstrom of Atlanta; grandchildren- Trevor and Kerstin Weibel,
Johnathan, Benjamin and Claire Billstrom, and Joseph and Stephanie Reynolds and
6 great-grandchildren .

She is further survived by 3 brothers and sisters-in-law-
John and Karen Babler, David and Carol Babler and Kerry and Jean Babler- all
from Mound and several nieces and nephews- Katie Babler Galeano, Clark and
Dustin Babler , Mike Babler and Molly Fugleseth.

Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Stan Weibel, Sr
and by her parents John and Donna Babler.

There will be a celebration of her life from 5-8pm Tuesday.
Everyone is invited to share a special memory of her. A Catholic prayer service
will begin at 6pm.

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.