Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Johnson, Bruce Stanley
known as coach “BJ” and “Beef” age 88, passed away peacefully on July 21st, 2023 at the Cokato Manor. He was born April 25, 1935 in Cokato, MN to Addie and Stanley Johnson. Bruce attended Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN and was a member of the National Guard. He was united in marriage to Gloria Dahlberg on June 8, 1957. They were married for 66 years. This union was blessed with 2 children, Denise and Scott. Bruce taught history in the Anoka Hennepin School District. He was an outstanding cross country and track coach, inducted into the Anoka High School Hall of Fame in September of 2016. He was honored as Minnesota Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1975. Bruce served as Mayor of Cokato for 12 years after retiring from teaching.
Survived by his wife, Gloria, daughter Denise Johnson, son, Scott (Sue) Johnson, grandchildren, Weston (Kristin) Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Marissa (Ross) Orrock, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Memorial service at 2 PM on Thur. July 27, 2023 with visitation 1 hr. prior at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Marie Pauline Kliche, passed away July 18, 2023.
Marie was given life by her Creator and born on February 9, 1929, in Spruce Hill Township in Douglas Co. MN, the biological daughter of Gottlieb and Paulina (Gesell) Rieder. She received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God on December 23, 1929, baptized by Pastor Bartz in Spruce Hill Township in Douglas Co. MN. On October 17, 1931 Marie was adopted by Jerry and Anna Butterfass of Montrose, MN. On April 18, 1943, she publicly confessed her faith and was confirmed by Pastor Seltz at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. She then went on to live in Rochester as a nanny, working for a doctor for about two years before moving back to Howard Lake. On July 22, 1947, Marie received the gift of a beloved companion in her husband Donald David Kliche, united in holy matrimony by Pastor Vomhoff at St. James Lutheran Church. They were blessed with five children.
Through the years of raising the five children and tending to the farm, Marie worked various part-time jobs, including cooking at the Howard Lake-Winsted schools and Adult Training Center, and working at Green Giant Company. When not hard at work, she found joy in gardening, sewing, canning, shopping, and cherished moments with friends and family. A devoted member of LWML for many years, Marie embodied kindness, humility, and love. Though we deeply miss her, we take comfort in knowing she is now in the loving embrace of our heavenly Father, and we look forward to the day when we shall be reunited with her once more.
Marie is survived by her attentive and loving children: David (Gretchen) of Greenfield, Nancy of Rochester, Nyla (Chris) Johnson of Belle Plaine, Dawn of Howard Lake, and Darlene of Edina; grandchildren: Dean, Donna, Ben (Mandi), Janelle, Julianne (Mike) Joseph, and Alicia (Dan) Goodson; great-grandchildren: Cole, Bryce, Cadence, Isaiah, Noah, Finley, Milo and Phoebe and may other beloved family and friends.
Marie is preceded in death by her husband: Donald Kliche, biological parents: Gottlieb and Paulina Rieder, biological siblings: William (Inez) Gesell, Emil(Treva) Rieder, Carl(Glenice) Rieder, Carol(Ray) Johnson, Sophie Rieder, Rose(Art) Olson, John Rieder, Arnold(Georgetta) Rieder, Olga(Art) Affeldt, Laura Rieder, Joseph Rieder; adoptive parents: Jerry and Anna Butterfass, adoptive siblings: Harold(Edna), Lloyd(Esther) ; Brother-in-law: Luther (Dorthy) Kliche, Nephew: William Kliche.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 24, 2023 with visitation 1 hour prior at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Interment will be at Howard Lake Cemetery. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401.
“Then I Heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor.” (Revelation 14:13)

Quanbeck, Norman Jerome, 89, passed away peacefully on July 17th, 2023 at the Cokato Manor. Norm was born to George and Esther Quanbeck on July 2, 1934 and grew up in Pelican Rapids and Bertha, MN. He met the love of his life, Ardelle Skovholt, at a Sadie Hawkins dance while at Augsburg College in Minneapolis and she was the answer to his prayers. They wed on August 7, 1955 and were married for over 66 years. After a stint living in an airstream trailer at Fort Bragg in North Carolina they returned to Minneapolis, Minnesota and Norm finished his teaching degree at Augsburg. In 1959 they moved to Cokato, Minnesota where Norm taught math and science at the high school for 34 years influencing the lives of innumerable young people. The state of Minnesota honored Norm in 1968 as an Outstanding Teacher. They raised 3 children and were involved in church, school, and community activities, including the American Legion, Boy Scouts and the Lions. He loved his family, and enjoyed woodworking, fishing, photography club and road trips. Preceded in death by his wife, Ardelle, parents, stepmother Agnes Quanbeck, his daughter Joan, and brother Quentin Quanbeck. Norm is survived by sons Keith (Jane) Quanbeck and Ron (Alyssa Dybvig) Quanbeck, grandchildren Anna, Benjamin, Daniel, Erica, and Hailey, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will take place at 2:00 pm on Saturday July 22, 2023 with visitation for 1 hour before the service, at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato MN. The service will be live streamed from the church website at: elchome.net. In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato. Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home 320-286-2534

Jeanette Esther Ruth (Tonsberg) Entinger died unexpectedly July 6, 2023, at Minnetonka Shores in Spring Park, MN. She was born February 5, 1947, in Cokato, MN, the daughter of Theodore and Esther (Scott) Tonsberg. She was baptized in Christ at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato, MN.
Jeanette graduated as valedictorian from Howard Lake High School, Class of 1965. Following graduation, Jeanette attended the University of Minnesota – Morris, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Spanish. She married LeRoy Entinger on May 27, 1972, and settled in Waverly, MN, where they raised their three sons. She worked for Travelers Insurance and Green Giant, but her favorite jobs were farming, raising her sons, and cooking. She was a loyal and active member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 1901, Order of the Eastern Star and St. John’s Lutheran Church. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school and preparing meals for church functions.
Jeanette loved animals, especially her kitties, listening to music with Elvis Presley’s gospels being her favorite. She also loved finding a deal, couponing and never missing a garage sale. After moving to Minnetonka Shores, she enjoyed activities such as gardening and visiting with her neighbors over many cups of coffee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Esther Tonsberg; brothers: Marlyn, Roger, and Donald; infant sister; brother-in-law Charles Rodd; niece Tamara Tonsberg and nephew Scott Tonsberg.
Jeanette is survived by her husband, LeRoy; sons: Brian (Jodie) Entinger of Mound, David (Jamie) Entinger, of Montrose, and Robert Entinger (friend-Becky), of Escanaba, MI; grandchildren: Carter, Ellie, Jack, and Jillian; great-granddaughter: Hannah; sister: Doris Rodd of Mound; sister-in-law: Delores Tonsberg of Maple Plain; nieces: Jeanne Prok and April Tonsberg; nephews: Jeff Rodd, Jon Rodd, and Steven Tonsberg.
A service of remembrance will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, July 22 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Venla Irene Lappi Karinen
November 3, 1923 – March 21, 2023
Venla was born on her parents’ farm in Cokato, Minnesota on November 3, 1923, the fifth of six children.
Venla graduated from Cokato High School, Minneapolis Business College and had a successful career as a secretary in the City. In 1946 she married Earl Karinen ad they had two sons Bradley and Allen. Earl and Venla resided in Minneapolis until 1973 when they moved to Lake Sylvia. After Earl’s death she moved to Annandale, where she volunteered for Annandale schools.
In 2014 Venla moved to Carlsbad, California to live with her son Allen and daughter-in-law Darlene.
Venla was preceded in death by her husband Earl, son Bradley, two brothers and their wives Reino (Bernette) Lappi, Weino (Bernadette) Lappi, three sisters and their husbands Helmi (Stanley Rustad), Melba (George Sihvonen) and Lois (Clark Shattuck).
Venla is survived by her son Allen (Darlene), grandson Peter (Kasey), grandson Roland, Peter’s mother Mary and many nieces/great nieces and nephews/great nephews.
Venla will be buried next to her husband in the Cokato Finnish Cemetery. A service is planned for July 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota, www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534