Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Diers, Lois Marie, 92 of Howard Lake, Passed away at Stoney River Memory Care of Ramey on May 8, 2023. Survivors include sons; Mark of Howard Lake, Timothee of Billinudgel, Australia, Paul (Connie) of Oak Grove, MN, and Brian (Judith) of Urbana, IL; Funeral Service: 2PM Saturday, May 13. 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake. Visitation begins 1hr prior to service at church, Interment Howard Lake Cemetery.

Joyce Marcella Goepfert, of Cokato, went to be with Jesus on May 3, 2023 at the age of 99 years, 10 months and 1 day. She was born in Regal, MN. July 2, 1923 to Sidney L. Roberts and Edith A. Roberts. She attended school in Regal, Belgrade, and Arlington. She married Stanley Goepfert at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake on September 30, 1949. Their union was blessed with the birth of 3 sons, Richard, Thomas, and James.
Stanley and Joyce farmed NW of Howard Lake at the family dairy farm until Stanley passed away in 1978, at the age of 55 years and 3 days. Joyce also worked outside of the home and farm for many years. Mainly at the Coast to Coast in Cokato, and later at the Lake Bowl in Howard Lake.
Joyce enjoyed puzzles and reading, but the thing she enjoyed most was her family. She loved having the family around and looked forward to visits with the grandkids. She especially enjoyed going up north to the lake and fishing with the family. Road trips were her favorite way to travel. She had her last big road trip at the age of 94 to Colorado. Duluth and Itasca were also favorite vacation spots.
On July 1, 2022, she moved to the Howard Lake Care Center, residing there until her passing. She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her mother and father-in-law, Louise and Emil Goepfert. Also preceding her in death are her brother, Pat Roberts, brother-in-law, Arvid, Goepfert, husband, Stanley, son, James Goepfert, grandson, Eric Goepfert, and great grandson Ethan.
She is survived by her sons, Richard (Judy), Thomas (Paulette) Goepfert, and grand-children, Elaine Goepfert (Jason Albrechtson), Jacob Goepfert, Luke Goepfert, Jennifer Goepfert (Travis Pedersen), Christine Goepfert, Lorelei (Tim) Sullivan, Odilia (Alex) Lindstrom, and Colleen Goepfert, step grandchildren, Dawn (Ed) Johnson and Holly (Robert) Helms,17 great-grandkids and 3 great great-grandkids, and numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends. Many people loved her and called her Grandma. She loved all her family very much and was extremely proud of them all. She changed many lives for the better with her love and support. She will be deeply missed.
Services will be at 3:00 PM on Friday, May 19, 2023 with visitation beginning at 1 PM at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato (280 3rd St. SE) Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Christenson, Daniel N. age 92, passed away April 27, 2023. He was born April 26, 1931 in Dassel Township, the 5th of 10 children. He attended country school and joined the military before finishing High School. In the military he received his GED. After completing his time in the service, he went to the University of Minnesota, where he achieved two associate degrees, one being in agriculture. While at the U of M, he became a foreign exchange student to Sweden. After completing his internship, he traveled across Europe, sight seeing and interacting with people. Back in the states, he worked a number of jobs, including being an orderly in a hospital, a cab driver, and a bus boy at a restaurant.
In the early 1970’s he discovered his true calling was going to be farming. He took over the family farm and bought a herd of cows to start dairy production. In 1980, he purchased the farm from his father’s estate. Daniel farmed and milked cows for almost 30 years. When he sold the cows, he retired and put the land into CRP acres, these are set aside acres to help wildlife have a nice habitat. Daniels goal was to be a steward of the land. Part of this motivation was due to his fondness of bird watching and his appreciation for deer and pheasants. Daniel was able to stay on the farm until January 7th, 2021 when he was no longer to walk without assistance. He moved into Cokato Manor where he received excellent care until 5 minutes after his 92nd birthday.
Daniel was a lifelong member of North Crow River Lutheran Church, where his faith was cultivated and grown throughout his life. He was a devout Christian and his faith in God and his only son, Jesus Christ, carried him through many years of hard work and endurance. Daniels was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Ruby, brothers, Dale and Duane, sisters, Marilyn Kujawa, Evon Anderson, and Carolyn Koeneke.
Survived by Rosalie Haglund, Mae Ruotsinoja, Lowell and Sharon Winfield, brothers in law, Marvis Anderson and Franz Koeneke, sister in law, Ruth Christenson, along with many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews. He will be missed.
A celebration of life will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 20th, 2023 at North Crow River Lutheran Church, with visitation 1 hour prior to services at church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Earl James Stoll, 75 of Howard Lake, MN passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on May 5, 2023.

He was born on March 22, 1948, in Watertown, MN to Willis and Bernadette Stoll. He was baptized on June 29, 1948 and later confirmed on April 7, 1963 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake.
He attended St. James Parochial School and graduated from the Howard Lake High School in 1967. With a deep commitment to his country, Earl served in the US Army and in the Vietnam War during 1968-1969.

Earl was united in marriage to the love of his life Darlene Marie Hayes at St. James Lutheran Church on October 16, 1976. Together they raised three daughters Debbie, Danielle, and Denise.
They helped him live the most independent life possible, they were there for all of his daily needs. After being diagnosed with cancer, he settled into a quiet routine that suited him well.

Earl took every opportunity to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed seeing his grandkids off on their first day of school, attending baseball practices and games, and watching gymnastics (or as he would like to call it jumpy class). Anything Papa could give them a ride on he would, from lawnmowers to four-wheelers to golf carts to his knee.

Some of his favorite hobbies included going for rides in his truck, thrifting, and doing word finds. He had a creative side and a knack for woodworking projects, his girls could show him any picture and he could make it. He enjoyed watching the Minnesota Vikings especially when they played the Green Bay Packers since it was a house divided. He was always up for an adventure!

Earl is survived by his loving wife Darlene Stoll, daughters Debbie (Brett) Gilbert, Danielle (Chase) Noethe, and Denise (Mason) Shaw, Grandchildren Vayda Gilbert, Riley and Brayden Noethe, Colton and Noah Shaw, Siblings Joe (Donna) Stoll, Jane (Bill) Goepferd, Shirley (Rick) Schueble, and Jerome (Denise) Stoll, Brothers-in-law Larry (Jo) Hayes, Tim (Donetta) Hayes, and Jeff Hayes, Aunt Grace Stoll, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and neighbors.

Earl was a husband, father, brother, son, friend and Proud Papa.

Visitation will be at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, MN on May 13th, 2023 at 10 AM with a service at 11 AM with Military Honors.
Luncheon and celebration of life to follow at the Howard Lake American Legion, starting at 1 PM. Private burial at a later date to be determined.

The Life and Legacy of Orville Peterson February 26, 1928 – April 27, 2023
Orville Rupert Peterson, age 95, of Cokato, passed peacefully into heaven in the late hours of Thursday, April 27, 2023. Leading up to his passing he had been surrounded by his loving children and family singing, reading and telling stories of his legacy. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to join a time of visitation Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 5 to 8 pm at the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato. A time of prayer and reflection will be held at 7 pm. There will be a memorial celebration of Orville’s life at First Baptist Church in Cokato, on Sunday, May 7th at 2 pm. A time of visitation will begin at 1 pm. Burial will be at Stockholm Lutheran Church Cemetery. A light meal will be served and a time of fellowship will follow in the First Baptist Church reception hall. Arrangements celebrating Orville’s life are through Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato. Orville was born Feb 26,1928, to his parents Walter and Signe Peterson. He grew up with his siblings Bedford “Bud”, Elda and Betty Jean on the farm. After graduating from Cokato High School, Orville married the love of his life, LaVerne Johnson on December 17,1949. They made their lifetime residence on Orville’s family farm, six miles south of Cokato. Welcoming their first born a year later, was the beginning of establishing their family with seven children: Larry, Jane, David, James, Gina, Joel, and Mari. From the very beginning, Orville faithfully and lovingly served his family, by working on their heritage dairy and crop farm with the help and support of his wife, LaVerne, and the children. After many years of dairy farming, he continued with crop farming and began working at 3M in Hutchinson until retirement. In his retirement years, Orville and LaVerne traveled throughout the United States and visited family. Overseas travel included a trip to Europe, a Caribbean cruise, and a memorable trip to the Holy Land and the Mediterranean. In his leisure time he loved mowing/edging and keeping up his yard, fishing, giving tractor rides to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and playing the musical saw accompanied by LaVerne on the piano. He held an ongoing battle with the local raccoons and rabbits that tried to ruin the beautiful garden LaVerne cared for. His love of God, family and community were always a priority throughout his lifetime. Orville was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Signe; his wife, LaVerne; his brother, Bud; his sister, Elda; brothers-in -law, John Burton and David Clayton; and great-grandsons, Regan and Charles. He is survived by his sister, Betty Jean Clayton; sister-in-law, Carmie Peterson; children and their spouses: Larry (Sue) Peterson, Jane (Dwight) Dahlman, David (Pam) Peterson, James (Sue) Peterson, Gina (Steve) Gahnz, Joel (Carrie) Peterson, Mari (Larry) Okoro; 26 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.