Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Julie Mader (Broll), passed away Dec. 30th 2025 in the comfort of her home. She was born May 25th 1962, at St. Mary’s hospital in Winsted, to Larry and Gladys Broll. Survived by her husband Brad, her five children (Mathew, Daniel, Andrew, John, and Katherine), six grandchildren (Dakota Jedidia, Benjamin, Holly, Lyra and Rosalee), and two siblings that all loved her very much. As a daughter, sister, wife, mom and grandma she gave her all.
Very early on she had the passion to help people and made every single step to do so; She was the first CPR certified minor in the county, studied nursing at St. Cloud school of nursing MN, while she was in college she also became an EMT at night school. After the college was torn down, she used her EMT certification to become an ambulance team member for 11 years. God had blessed her during that time with three baby boys.
As life went on, she was blessed with another boy and a few years later a baby girl. Throughout her life her passion to help people never faded and started a naturopathy business where she touched even more lives through her knowledge and determination. She found her soulmate (Brad) while ballroom dancing and has, for the past 14 years, been the happiest woman in the world. If you had asked her what she was most proud of in her life she would say her five strong independent children and her lovely grandkids.
There will be a visitation Jan 11th 2026 at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato MN from 1pm to 3pm. swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

With admiration and gratitude for a life well-lived, we remember Russell Everette Brown, age 83, who passed away on December 31st, 2025 in Dassel, Minnesota.
Born on August 30, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois to Edward and Elizabeth (Horne) Brown. After graduating from Mount Healthy High School in Ohio in 1960, he went on to attend North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he graduated in 1964 with a degree in Pastoral Studies. He married the love of his life, Doris, in 1964 and began a ministry career that spanned over 40 years. He pastored at churches in Minnesota, California, and Michigan before earning his Masters of Divinity in 1978 at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He then, pastored in Wisconsin, finally coming full circle to finish his career in several churches in Minnesota. Russ served with several parachurch ministries including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gospel Light Publications, prison ministries, The ROCK, and Poland Evangelical Mission.

Russ ensured that Jesus remained the focus of his life, consistently practicing what he preached. He had a true servant’s heart and found joy in helping others. He cared for his flocks with warmth and compassion, and he showed that same devotion to his family as a present and active husband and father. Together with his family, he loved to explore the Boundary Waters and other wilderness areas. Russ was a voracious learner of WWII history, reading books, watching movies, visiting museums, and interviewing war veterans whenever possible. An avid woodworker, Russ showed his thoughtfulness for others by crafting functional pieces that they could use in their homes, even if they didn’t always fit through the stairway of his tiny Minneapolis workshop.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Elizabeth Brown, and his brother, Wesley Brown.

Russ is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris (Geffert) Brown and his children Sara (Brian) Gallagher, Laura (Mickey) Klink, and Hugh (Mary) Brown.
Russ was a caring grandfather and supporter of his eleven grandchildren: Betsy (Blake) Hunt; Mick, Damien, and Madisynne Gallagher; Jacob, Benjamin, and Ruth Klink; Ruby, Frances, Steel, and Jasper Brown.
Though it is painful to experience loss, we rejoice that Russ’s life was rich in the things that matter: faith, family, and friendship. We are grateful to see his legacy continue in the family he loved, the friends he gathered, and the communities that he faithfully shepherded. He is now celebrating in the new creation with a body that no longer fails him.
A memorial service https://youtube.com/live/lv6uDRV50lY will be held at 11:00 am Monday, January 5, 2026 with visitation beginning at 10:00 am at the Highland Community Church in Cokato, Minnesota with lunch to follow. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Diane Franklin of Howard Lake, Minnesota passed away on December 26, 2025 at home. She was born on July 7, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Services will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 1:00 pm with visitation at 12:00 pm at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, Minnesota. swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534.

John Herman Holker passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 23, 2025, at Cokato Manor. He was born March 17, 1948 in Monticello, Minnesota, to Leo and Helen Holker.
John grew up on a farm in Monticello and graduated from Monticello High School in 1966. On March 27, 1989, he married the love of his life, Jayne Morris, and together they built a life filled with family, laughter, and shared passions.
John spent more than twenty-five years of his career at Hogland Bus and Truck Company and retired in 2013. He grew up as a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church. John enjoyed many hobbies, including amateur radio and gardening. He was a proud member of John Deere 2 Cylinder Club as well as the Knights of Columbus in Monticello, Minnesota. Known for his sense of humor, John loved telling jokes and visiting with people. He had a special gift for storytelling that kept friends and family entertained.
One of John’s greatest joys was following his grandsons through their sporting events, from elementary school through college. He was their biggest fan and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Helen Holker, and sister, Kathy Schlief.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jayne Holker; his step-children Laura (Dan) Robbins, and Aaron (Cindy) Kotila; six grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Fran Dolly and brother Mike Holker, along with many nieces and nephews. Urn bearers are niece Tonya Dolly and oldest grandson Brandon Bromstad.
A memorial mass will be held at Saint Henry Catholic Church in Monticello, Minnesota on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM with visitation at 10:00 AM and a lunch to follow. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Lejla H. Kelly, 84 passed away on December 16, 2025. She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark to Sonja and Carl Rasmussen.
When Lejla was 6 years old her mother married Jage Boeson and he adopted Lejla. After finishing school, she went to classes in France. She spoke 4 languages: English, French, German & Danish. She came to the United States and married Donald Resler. Two children were born: Bruno Resler in Panama City, Florida, and Dino Resler in Anchorage, Alaska. Donald was in the military service and they moved a lot. They divorced in 1966 while living in Alaska. She and James (Jim) Kelly met in Novato, California and married in Reno, Nevada. They had a son, Patrick Kelly in Novato, California. Jim was in the marines so there were few moves. Before Jim left the service they returned to Island Park (Mound), Minnesota area. Lejla then went to school to be a travel agent. She later decided that wasn’t what she wanted and became a licensed practical nurse and worked in several nursing homes & assisted living facilities in Minnesota, then in Florida and also at the jail in the Florida Keys. She enjoyed being a nurse. They spent several years in Florida and Key West.
She is survived by her son, Dino Resler, 2 grandchildren, Nikolas & Rebekka Kelly, and 2 nephews in Denmark.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Kelly, sons, Bruno Kelly & Patrick Kelly, brother, Bent Jacobson.
She will be interred at Our Lady of the Lake cemetery in Mound, Minnesota.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, Minnesota 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com