Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Dolores Della (Yager) Tyson was born September 11, 1927, in Victor Township, MN, the daughter of Arthur and Rosina (Birkholz) Yager. She was baptized on October 2, 1927 by Rev.
C. G. Seltz at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN and was confirmed in her faith at the same church on April 6, 1941, by Rev. E. N. Seltz. She was united in marriage to Jerry Tyson on July 23, 1951, at Salem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis by Rev. Metzler. Their 62 years together were blessed with the birth of two daughters and a son.
Dolores worked seven years for A T & T; first in Minneapolis and then in Atlanta. In 1952 she traveled to France to spend two years with Jerry who was serving the U. S. Airforce. She worked in military communication at the air base in France. In 1954, Dolores and her family made their home in the Minneapolis area. She worked for Sears from 1962 to 1987. In retirement, Jerry and Dolores moved back to her childhood home (the late Arthur Yager farm) in Victor township.
As a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Dolores served on the social ministry board and was a member of the LWML and the Priscilla Bible study group. Dolores loved Jesus and read her Bible daily.
On November 1, 2025, Dolores was called to her eternal rest at the age of 98. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, her parents, Arthur and Rosina Yager, her brother, Vernon and sister-in-law Mavis Yager.
Dolores is survived by two daughters: Dawn Tyson of Minnetonka, MN and Sheri Harlan of Coppell, TX, a son Randall (Jane) of Maple Grove, MN, grandson Jeffrey (Alana), great granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Kyra of Sandstone, MN and grandson Zachary Tyson of St. Paul, MN, many nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 7 at 2:00 pm at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, with visitation starting at 1:00 pm and luncheon to follow.

Colleen Eva Gutzke, age 88, of Howard Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025. She was born on May 13, 1937, in Howard Lake, Minnesota, to Walter and Amelia Prigge. Colleen was the last of the Prigge family line, carrying forward her family’s love, strength, and faith through her life and the generations that followed.
Colleen was united in marriage to Don Gutzke, and together they shared 67 wonderful years of love and devotion. Don preceded her in death on December 1, 2022.
Colleen was a gift to all who knew her. Her warm heart, kind spirit, and unwavering faith touched countless lives. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend — and an amazing chocolate chip cookie maker who shared sweetness and joy with everyone she met.
She is survived by her daughter, Tracy Burlow (Mark Stein); her son, Dean Gutzke (Michelle); and her cherished grandchildren, Luke Burlow, Evelyn Gutzke, and Colleen Gutzke. She will also be dearly missed by many other family members and friends who were blessed to know her.
Colleen’s life was guided by faith, love, and kindness. She will be remembered for her strength, compassion, and the light she brought into the lives of others.
Colleen spent the last eight months of her life at StoneBay of Orono, where she was surrounded by care, comfort, and kindness. She met many great new friends and the entire staff took the very best care of her, and her family will be forever grateful for their love and dedication.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 PM. Both will take place at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota. A reception will follow in the church school basement. Arrangements are entrusted to Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake.
Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, in Colleen’s honor.
She will remain forever in our hearts

Dianne Lynn Reil
October 9, 1945 – October 30, 2025
Dianne Lynn Reil, of Howard Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025, at the age of 80. She was born on October 9, 1945, in Graceville, Minnesota, to Ralph and Mildred Andrews. Dianne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Dianne dedicated many years of her life to caring for others while working at the Delano nursing home. In 2003, she fulfilled her dream of retiring to the countryside in Howard Lake, where she enjoyed the simple pleasures that brought her joy — tending her garden, playing bingo, working on crossword puzzles, reading her hometown newspaper, sharing her quick wit, and spending time with her family and beloved cat.
She is survived by her husband, Glen Reil; daughter, Jill Reil; son, Daniel Reil; daughter-in-law, Joy Reil; grandchildren, Daniel Reil, Jr. (Chelsea), Thomas Reil, and Samantha Reil; and great-grandchildren.
Dianne was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, John Andrews; her son, Brian Reil; and her grandson, Robert Reil.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 5th at 11:00 a.m with visitation at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Burial will follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Thursday, November 6th at 10:30 a.m.
Dianne will be remembered for her humor, warmth, and loving heart.

Marlyce Ann Wraspir Bjork of Cokato, Minnesota was born on June 26, 1939 to Eldon and Mary (Burich) Wraspir in Hale Township. She attended Country School #27 for 8 years and then attended Silver Lake High School graduating in 1956. She worked for a year at Massey-Harris-Ferguson before marrying Rodney Carl Bjork in 1957. That union produced 2 boys, Byron Dean and Ryan Anthony Bjork. She worked at 3M for 5 ½ years and National Connector later called Fabri-tek, CTS, and AbelConn for 35 years. Retired and later found herself driving a special needs bus for the Dassel Cokato School district for 10 years. It was her favorite job. In 2007 Rodney passed away and she continued working until 2014. She always had a prospering garden and flower bed. In 2008 after moving to Dassel she continued growing flowers and vegetables on a much smaller scale. Ryan came to help and was appreciated. She also enjoyed cooking, baking and traveling.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary & Eldon Wraspir, and spouse, Rodney Bjork.
She is survived by sons, Byron (Connie) Bjork & Ryan Bjork, Grandsons, Greg (Jenna) Bjork of Hudson, WI, Christopher (Jill) Bjork of St. Paul, MN, Tim (Daphane) of Kelly, IA, brother, Alan (Barbara) Wraspir of Silver Lake, MN, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 4th at 11:00 am at Faith Presbyterian Church in Silver Lake, Minnesota with visitation starting at 10:00 am. A visitation will also be held on Monday, November 3rd from 5-8 pm at the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, Minnesota.

Caroline Melinda Diers of Monticello, Minnesota passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025. She was born on March 13, 1937 in Paynesville, Minnesota to parents Louis and Esther (Fischer) Blomker. On June 14, 1957 she was united in marriage to Harland Diers at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota. She was a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting, sewing and other crafts. Survived by children, Kenneth Diers, William (Kathy) Diers, Pamela (Byron) Hassell, James (Nancy) Diers, Candace (Keith) Bohlman, 13 grandchildren, and 15 Great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, brothers Wesley Blomker and Clifford Blomker, and sister Shirley Gustafson.
A private service was held with family at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 27, 2025.