Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Ruth Ann Williams, age 85, passed away March 19, 2025 at Lakeside Healthcare Center in Dassel, Minnesota.

Ruth was born in Minneapolis, MN on January 1, 1940 to Norris & Martha (Hill) Hanson. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis and eventually married and lived in California for many years. She returned to Minnesota and lived in Minnetonka, where she had a career as a church secretary at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church. After she retired she moved to Dassel, MN to be closer to her son and his family.

Ruth loved gardening and enjoyed volunteering on the grounds committee at her condo community for many years. She also enjoyed singing, especially hymns and Christmas carols. She was an involved member of the Lamson Church in Dassel.

Ruth is survived by her son, Jim (Julie) Williams, brother Tom (Carol) Hanson and grandchildren Hannah and Michael Williams.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Warren Hanson.

Arrangements by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota. #320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Daniel Winston Nyquist, 88, of Howard Lake and Buffalo, MN, died on March 17, 2025, holding the hands of his loving wife, Jane Nyquist.

Dan was born on October 9, 1936, to Rudolf H. Nyquist and Ruth V. (Lindstrom) Nyquist, in Howard Lake (Cokato Township), on the same farmstead in which he worked his entire fruitful career as a farmer.

Dan began his education in a one-room country schoolhouse and graduated from Cokato High School in 1954. Drafted into the army, he rose to the position of Military Police, moving from a smoke-filled army barracks to his own room as the assistant to the chaplain and chauffeur to a general and foreign dignitary. After his army discharge, he married Helen L. Kirkpatrick, whom he met at a church skating party, on September 4, 1959. Together they had four children: Mark Allen, Caroline Ruth (who died in infancy), David Eric, and Naomi Ruth.

Besides farming, Dan found many joys and passions from helping those in need and giving encouragement to growing pumpkins, grapes, and large gardens. He especially loved planting trees. Some of the white pine he planted are now 90 feet tall.

An astute intellectual, Dan loved books, especially on the topics of history, economics, philosophy, and theology. He would engage anyone in lengthy conversations who might stop by the farm. He loved to salvage old things to remake them into something beautiful. He was a woodworker, runner, singer, and a connoisseur of classical music. Above all, Dan was a Godly man. He would self-deprecatingly say, “The Lord preserveth the simple.” We know that he has gone home and heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

After Helen died in 2018, Dan met Jane Johnson at a church grief group. They married in a “surprise” ceremony after a Sunday morning service at Albion Evangelical Free Church in Cokato on December 12, 2021. They enjoyed the most wonderful three years of marriage getting dirty, gardening, foraging, maple syruping, and simply having fun together.

Survivors include his wife, Jane, his children, Mark, David (and Mariana), and Naomi (and Patrick); his adoring grandchildren, Corrie, Christina, Clarissa, Estera, Oliver, Aunne, Ezra, and Eleanor; siblings, Dwight Nyquist (Marie) and Peggy Lundeen; and many relatives, friends, neighbors, and pastors. The family is especially grateful for the Allina Hospice team.

Services will be Friday, March 21, 2025 at Albion Evangelical Free Church (11480 5th Street NW, Cokato, MN) Visitation at noon; Service at 1:00, followed by a light lunch.

Arrangements by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota. #320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Paul Edward Olson, age 78, passed away March 12, 2025 in Lakeside, California.

Paul was born in Cokato, MN on July 6, 1946 to Ed and Irene Olson. He attended Stockholm School and Cokato High School; he graduated in 1964. Paul married Linda in San Diego, CA on July 3, 1971. They went on to have two daughters Kelly and Shelly and reside in Lakeside, CA.

Paul ended up with two careers in his life, one with the San Diego Police Department and the other with the United States Marine Corp. While he was in the Marine Corp, he served in Vietnam, Laos, Desert Storm and Haiti. Paul served a total of 30 years duty with the Marines. He was a San Diego Police Officer for 34 years.

Paul joined the San Diego Police Dept. in 1971. In the beginning, he was in patrol. He later went on to become a detective and served in Burglary, Robbery, Fencing, Homicide and Criminal Intelligence. He was also a Hostage Negotiator. Paul took it upon himself to learn Spanish and became a Bi-lingual officer so he could better serve the community. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from San Diego State University in Criminal Justice. Paul influenced his daughter’s and granddaughter to follow in his footsteps. Kelly, is a Division Chief with the San Diego County Probation Department. Shelly was an officer for the San Diego Police Department and granddaughter, Kira, is an officer on the Greenville, SC Police Department.

As many of you know, Paul was a collector of MANY things. Just a few of his collections included coins, Henry rifles, license plates, marbles and any Cokato memorabilia. Of course, we can’t forget his love for John Deere – any and everything John Deere! He loved being able to come back to the farm he grew up and most of all, he had a very special place in his heart for Stockholm.

Paul is survived by his wife, Linda, daughter Kelly (Aaron) Dodson, son-in-law George Luna, Grandchildren: Kira Dodson, Konnor Dodson, Austin Luna, Lilly Luna and Bella Luna, Sister Kathy Olson Studler and Brother Daniel Olson.

Preceded in death by his parents, daughter Shelly Luna, and sisters Judi Olson Martinson and Mary Olson Danielson.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday March 20, 2025 at Stockholm Lutheran Church, Cokato, MN. Visitation begins one hour prior.

Arrangements by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota. #320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Michael Allan Mattila, age 44, passed away peacefully with his wife and four daughters by his side in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on March 14th 2025. Mike was born January 14, 1981 in Litchfield, Minnesota to Gary and Nancy (Raisanen) Mattila. He graduated from Dassel Cokato High School with the Class of 1999. He married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie Mollet on April 30, 2005. They made their home south of Cokato and together were blessed with four daughters and would have celebrated their 20-year wedding anniversary this month.

Mike developed a passion for woodworking and was blessed to be able to spend his lifetime working in the carpentry industry. He took great pride in his craftsmanship. His strong attention to detail and creative ideas allowed him to create high quality and well-crafted products throughout his lifetime.

Mike was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed gardening, biking, fishing, hunting, camping and anything he could find to work on outside. He grew up deer hunting with his dad and brothers up north at a family cabin. He spent many fishing openers with his brothers and close friends on Lake Winnibigoshish. He shared his love of the outdoors with his family on countless camping trips to Cross Lake.

He also enjoyed golfing and for the past four years was able to mow for the Cokato Golf Course. Mike was also an avid Vikings fan.

Survivors include his wife Stephanie, children: Lauren, Erica, Kendra and Mallory. Mother Nancy Mattila and Father-in-law Rodney (Carol) Mollet. Siblings: Jeremy (Stacy), Kim (Steve) Parks, Karla (Dale) Hoikka, Shanna (Greg) Koivisto, Jason, Jill (Austin) Clarke, Derek (Ulla) and Holly (Will) Saul. Brother and Sister in Laws Tim (Cathy) Mollet, Sunshine (Dave) Devine, Shannah (Aaron) Kreller, Roddy Mollet, Josh (Jesse) Holly, Cody (Andrea) Holly and Jake Holly and countless nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Dad Gary and Mother-in-Law Nancy Lara and all of his grandparents.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota. Visitation to begin one hour prior.
Live Stream available at: https://www.stockholmlutheran.org/

Arrangements handled by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, Minnesota #320-286-2534. www.swansonpeterson.com

Delbert Dean Heidemann, age 82, entered eternal life with Jesus on March 7, 2025 at his home in Plato, MN.

He was born on September 7, 1942 in Browerville, MN to Albert and Elva (Minke) Heidemann and he had two sisters and one brother. Delbert was baptized into God’s kingdom on September 27, 1942 in Browerville, MN, and later was confirmed in Christ on June 10, 1956 in Eagle Bend, MN.

Delbert grew up on a farm where he began his love of animals, nature and tractors. He enjoyed going to dance halls with his siblings as well as dancing and listening to polka music.

He graduated and received his diploma from Browerville High School in May, 1961. In April, 1962 he joined the Army National Guard and served 6 years dedicating his service to his country. He was a machinist, operated tanks, shot carbines, was a rifleman, became a sharp shooter/sniper and was grade Specialist E-5 when he was honorably discharged in December, 1968 earning many honorary medals.

Delbert was employed at Eaton Corporation, Hydraulics Division in Eden Prairie for 40 years as a machinist. After retiring, he continued working in his home shop on various projects for himself and others. He was an inventor, entrepreneur, sheet metal welder, and a machinist.

His hobbies were building and painting race cars, Allis Chalmers tractors, constructing engines, working on 1950 – 1970 sports cars; especially his 55 Chevrolet, watching old time westerns; with his favorite being John Wayne and enjoying car rides through the countryside to see all the farmhouses aside the corn and soy bean fields.

One of Delbert’s favorite passions was working with his car buddies and spending time “souping up” the engines until they were at top notch power capacity and running super smooth. His laughter of delight and excitement could be heard above the loudly purring engines.

Delbert was a genuine, kind hearted man that would be there for anyone who asked for help. He had a comforting way about him that was heartfelt by others. His laughter and humor were like no other; he had a special way of making others smile. He was a teacher to many and also an endearing friend. His love of strawberry rhubarb pie, Baby Ruth candy bars and his favorite Coca Cola Zero “CCO” will never be forgotten.

His endearing legacy will be long lived through his loving family. He was an amazing father and friend. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him and remembered by all the lives he touched during his lifetime.

Delbert is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, his parents and siblings: Jeanette (Roger) Drevlow and Norbert Heidemann.

Survived by his daughter, Holly (Joel) Windschitl, grandchildren: Megan (fiancé Don McKee) Windschitl and Dylan Windschitl; and his sister, Dorothy Kaminski.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 22, 2025 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS) in Glencoe, MN with Pastor Mark Rauh presiding. Visitation will begin one hour prior to service.

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25, 26