Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Mildred Lorraine Mattila (Wuollet) was born on January 21, 1932 to Harry and Estella (Lofback) Wuollet. On March 13th, while at home surrounded by her children, she was called to her Heavenly home. She was one of 16 children. Her mother died in childbirth when she was 10 years old. She was the milkmaid on the farm where her father raised the family, with the help of his girls, each taking their turn tending to the family until they left home. She went to Ojanpera country school, and graduated from Cokato High School in 1950 . Her and Jerry were married in August of 1952, on a weekend when Jerry came home on military leave. They made their home in Dassel MN and were blessed with 16 children. Milly was content in her role as a homemaker. While she enjoyed time spent gardening, baking and canning, her happiness came in sharing it with others. She gathered her family as often as she could. Jerry’s love for camping, and her willingness to go along, instilled a great love in her family for camping ‘Up North’. Her simple faith was an example for all of us. She met hardships in life and accepted the trials of her boys’ deaths with quiet grace. Home was where she loved to be, and serving was her greatest joy. Her loving instruction will be missed, but we rejoice in her victory! Survivors include her children: Philip(Caroline), Susan (Mike Jurmu), Carol (Doug Wuollet), Daniel, Barbara (Dave Wuollet), Maria (Lee Fredrickson), John (Rita), Mary (Joe Lehtola), Nancy (Trevor Simonson), Linda (Jon Parks), Sara (Charles Wuollet), Samuel (Annika) and Eric (Juliana). Daughters in law Nancy Mattila and Mary Kotila. Millie was preceded in death by her husband Jerald Mattila, her parents and siblings, three sons: Steven, Gary and Robert. Son in law Gregory Bratt and 7 grandchildren. A funeral services will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 17, 2025 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 16, 5-8 pm with a prayer service at 7pm and then continuing 1 hour prior to services on Monday, all at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, Minnesota 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com

Steven Klammer, 61, of Litchfield (formally of Howard Lake) passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025 at St Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family, due to complications from back surgery.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 21 at the American Legion in Howard Lake from 4-7 pm.

Steven Wayne Klammer was born November 7, 1963 in Winsted MN, the son of Kenneth and Shirley (Stock) Klammer. Steve was baptized, attended school and confirmed at St James Lutheran in Howard Lake and graduated in 1982 from Howard Lake Waverly High School. He also attended Ridgewater College.

In his teenage years, he would push the limit with his mischievous and partying adventures but for some reason he always got caught!

He married Karen Stoen in 1984 and together they had four sons: Wayne, Mitchel, Kyle and Wesley. He taught them how to fish and hunt. He also enjoyed watching their sporting events and being on the lake.

In 2011, he married Kathy Keeler and got used to living in town. They enjoyed trips to Walker, taking the boat out on Leech Lake and visiting Duluth. But most of all he loved a good meat raffle and was very lucky too.

Steve enjoyed being active with farming, fishing, hunting, boating and visiting with people. After he quit farming, he got a job selling boats and pontoons at Crystal Pierz Marine and then worked at Cabela’s in Rogers after it opened in 2005. He was an excellent salesman and truly enjoyed meeting customers and getting them in the water with a new boat. He even met Luke Bryan in 2017, didn’t know who he was, “apparently this guy sings country music” when he texted a picture.

He remained grounded to his farming roots, whenever he could he would help area farmers during harvest.

Recently, health issues plagued his body and he disliked not being able to get around and be active without pain. His cat, Doofy was his best friend. He struggled to find a surgeon to relieve his back pain and when he finally did and had the surgery, his body wasn’t strong enough to recover.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Shirley Klammer.

Steve is survived by his sons Wayne (Melinda Harrison), Mitch, Kyle (Ashley Ditty) and Wesley (Brittany Nelson). Much loved his grandchildren Addison, Avery, Haisley, Karianna, Ezekiel and Micah. Sisters Joni (Curt) Hedtke, Lori (Jim) Manecke and special friend Wendy Danzelsen. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Thank you for your prayers, words of kindness, memories shared and memorials. It is greatly appreciated and will help us heal during this difficult time.

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

Michelle “Micki” Kae Day, age 82, passed away February 26, 2025 in Big Lake, MN at Cherrywood Assisted Living.

Michelle was born May 18, 1942 in Minneapolis, MN to Byron & Mildred Staaf.

She spent several years as a newspaper editor & enjoyed studying genealogy and loved her dogs.

Survivors include: daughter Ginny (Mike) Arbogast, grandson Dan Arbogast and sister-in-law Karen Staaf.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Art Staaf.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, MN with visitation one hour prior.

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

Sherman Lee Stallmo, 85, of Winsted Mn (formerly of East Grand Forks Mn), passed away Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, at the Gardens at Winsted Assisted Living.

Sherman was born September 16, 1939, in McIntosh Mn to Gunder Stallmo & Alice (Anderson).

Sherman attended EGF Central High School and graduated in 1957. After high school Sherman joined the army. He served his tour of duty from 1961-1964. On August 10, 1963, he married the love of his life Maria Gottinger from Passau, West Germany in Junction City Kansas. After his discharge, Sherman and Maria returned to East Grand Forks where he got a job with the E.G.F Police Department. Sherman loved working in law enforcement and spent 30 years there.

He and Maria were blessed with two children, James (1964) and Sandra (1965). In December of 1994, Sherman retired as Police Sgt. from East Grand Fork Police Department. Sherman also worked a second job. He got his realtor’s license and worked realty on his down time. He loved working with people.

After the passing of his wife Maria in 2016, Sherman moved to Howard Lake with his daughter Sandy. His son Jim passed in 2019. Sherman moved into the Gardens at Winsted Assisted Living in 2021 due to health issues until his passing.

Sherman loved being with family, especially his grandkids. He loved to be outside, listening to his country music and enjoying a good cigar in the sunshine. His passion was the love of sports. He never missed a Twins, Vikings or Timberwolves game on TV. He was a big fan of the Howard Lake Orphans where his grandson Brad plays. If you knew my dad, he loved to make people laugh with a good Ole and Lena joke, if not another joke he had up his sleeve. He also loved spending time with his good friend Mark. He looked forward to his visits every week.

Sherman was a good, caring man with so much love to give. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Sherman is survived by his daughter Sandy Stallmo, Grandchildren Brad Bickmann, Haley (husband Shaun) Mahoney, Kala Phelps, great grandson Carter Weadick-Phelps and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date, details to be announced. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

William Robert Constenius, 87, of Dassel, MN died Saturday, February 8, 2025 at his home.

A funeral service will take place Thursday, February 13, 2025 at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in rural Dassel with Minister Mark Koivisto officiating. Visitation for family and friends at 10:00 AM, Service at 11:00 AM.

William Robert Constenius was born August 3, 1937 to William and Aili Constenius in Floodwood, MN. Bill went to Ojanpera Country School, then attended Dunwoody Institute graduating with a plumbing degree. He works for Boedeker Plumbing and Heating for 40 years. He plumbed in all the Perkins Restaurants in the area as well as numerous other commercial projects.

Bill married Janet Heinonen in March of 1958. They resided in Minneapolis before moving to Cokato in 1969. Later in life, when Bill moved back to Dassel, he met Jeanne Fennert. They became very close friends and remained so until his passing.

Bill loved the outdoors, cutting wood was taken very seriously. He would take his thermos of coffee and head out to the woods for the day. Golfing with his friends was a favorite pastime. I’m sure his golfing buddies have many fun stories to tell! Bill also loved gardening. His flower beds were probably the best Dassel has ever seen. He was very compassionate toward his elderly neighbors – mowing their lawns, blowing heavy snow, cleaning up branches from their yards or whatever they needed help with.

Bill is survived by brother Paul, sons Bruce and Tom (Mary), and daughter Karen (Pete) Lehto, five grandsons: Andrew Josephson, Warren (Christina) Josephson, Brian (Brook) Josephson, Dan (Brandi) Josephson and Aaron Josephson and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by parents William and Aili Constenius, sisters Dorothy and Marilyn Constenius, brothers: Gary, Kenny, James (Cheryl) Constenius.

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