Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Joyce Annette Roepke died peacefully in her sleep at Elysian Memory Care in Chanhassen, MN on February 2, 2025 at the age of 81 years old. She was a proud North Dakota native born on the family farm near Merricourt, ND to Phillip and Emily Young on Oct 22, 1943. She was one of eleven children. She grew up on that same family farm and graduated from Kulm, ND High School in 1961.

She moved to Hutchinson, MN in 1962 and married Roger Wayne Rice in 1963. They had 4 children; Brent, Steven, Leigh and Lynn and lived on Lake Washington near Dassel, MN. Roger died in a car accident in 1977.

Joyce married Roger Leroy Roepke in 1986. They combined their families including daughter Kelli (Roepke) Palmquist. They made their home in Cokato, MN for more than 30 years.

Joyce was an animal lover, an avid gardener and flower “whisperer”. She enjoyed entertaining and making delicious meals for her large family. She and Roger liked to golf and travel internationally. They went on a number of State Farm award trips including Hawaii and Germany. After Roger’s retirement, they enjoyed wintering in Mesquite, NV and visiting Palm Springs all the while perfecting their barbecue expertise.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Roger Roepke; daughter Leigh Sangren; sisters Carol, Lois and Ramona and brothers Gene, Don and Jim.

Survivors include children: Brent (Karna) Rice of Minnetrista, Steve Rice of Benson, Lynn (Scott) Anderson of Montrose, Troy Sangren of Glenwood, Kelli (Tad) Palmquist of Warroad; grandchildren Kristina (John) Lombardi (great grandson Gio), Lauren Rice, Tommy (Kayla) Rice, Jayson Rice, Annelise Rice, Jack Palmquist, Jase Palmquist, Henry Palmquist, Emily Haan and Ashley Haan; sisters Norma (Arlie) Schlect, Ruth (Dennis) Buchholz, Linda Kunerth, Susie (Bruce) Lindgren and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, February 10, 2025 at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota. Visitation begins one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate a memorial to the Alzheimer’s Association.
https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1

W. Keith “Erv” Luhman was born November 18th, 1940 in Howard Lake MN to Lavon and Walter Luhman. He was the youngest of three boys. From an early age, he was a hard worker. Helping with their family’s apple orchard and later at his parents’ restaurant, The Lakeview Cafe. He attended St James Lutheran School and Howard Lake High School. After graduating in 1958 Keith enlisted in the United States Army, serving for 4 years. During his time in the army, he was especially fortunate to be stationed in Bamberg, Germany, given his proud German heritage. Upon returning home he followed in his grandfather’s footsteps working in construction alongside his Uncle Eldon and brother Bob. Through friends Keith and Lorraine met at Breezy Point on Howard Lake and were married on October 10th, 1964. They made their home in Howard Lake and were blessed with 5 children. Erv continued to use his construction talents to build and remodel beautiful homes for his family. He worked in various construction jobs, but cement work remained his favorite. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid sportsman, spending time fishing and hunting. A love for the outdoors he instilled in his children and grandchildren. Erv was an active member of the Sportsman’s Club and taught Firearms Safety classes for 30 years. He proudly served as a volunteer firefighter with the Howard Lake Fire Department and Ambulance for 20 years. Erv was a lifelong member of St James Lutheran Church and served in various roles throughout his years.

Under the care of hospice and his devoted wife, Erv passed away peacefully at home on February 1st 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bob and sister-in-law Doris. Erv is survived by Lorraine, his loving wife of 60 years, his sons: Steve (Angela), Tim (Cheri), PJ (Carrie), and Mark (Barbie) and his daughter Jen (Dan) Christopherson. Erv is survived by 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way). His family always meant so much to him and he will be deeply missed.

Erv’s funeral will be held at St James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake on Saturday, February 8th, beginning with visitation at 1:30 pm and a service to follow at 2:30 pm. Memorial donations would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.

Floyd A. Nolan, “Iron Man”, age 92 of Annandale passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House.

He was born on November 4, 1932 to Earl and Mary Nolan. He was married to Delores Olson on June 28, 1952. He was a lifelong resident of French Lake. He met many people after beginning French Lake Auto Parts in 1956. He loved to visit with everyone and share his love/knowledge for cars. He never complained about his complex health issues and kept on smiling. He loved to joke with everybody right up until the end.

He is survived by his wife, Delores and their seven children; Debbie (Daryl), Steve (Julie), Denise (Tim), Shawn (Shannon), Skip (Kerry), Sheldon and Sterling. Also survived by sisters, Rosie Anderson, Ruth Oster, Betty Kelly and Margie Alberg. He is also survived by ALL of his grandchildren/step grandchildren and his many great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. The number of friends he left behind are far too many to ever count.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, his brothers Allen and Harley, sister Marlene and his Grandson Daryk.

A private, family only gathering will be held at a later date.

Please direct any memorials to:
Quiet Oaks Hospice House
5537 Galaxy Road
St Cloud MN 56301

Jeanne Luella (nee Wills) Glessing 95, was called to her external rest on January 25, 2025 at Haven Homes, Maple Plain, MN. Jean was born September 9, 1929, in Kingston, MN to Glen and Stella Wills. She was baptized and confirmed as a child in the Church of Christ and after marriage became a long-time member of St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, MN. Jeanne graduated from Dassel Highschool in 1947. She became a schoolteacher after obtaining her teaching certifications through St. Cloud State and the University of MN.

Jeanne was the middle child of five children, siblings were Doris, Darrel, Orlo and Lloyd. As a child she lived in Kingston until 5th grade at which point the family moved to a farm in Dassel, MN. Throughout her high school years in Dassel, Jeanne was active in choir, drama, and softball. She worked as a waitress at a small café in downtown Dassel to pay for her college education. During her University of Minnesota classes, Jean lived with her sister Doris in the “big” city. After graduating from college, Jean moved to Kimball where her family relocated. She taught in a one room schoolhouse for 3 years, during which time she met her future husband, Lorren.

On June 9, 1951, Jeanne was united in marriage to Lorren Glessing. They were blessed with two children, Neal and Dawn. After their marriage, the couple resided in Howard Lake, MN. Jeanne was a homemaker and worked side by side with husband as they farmed on the Glessing homestead, southwest of Howard Lake.

Jeanne was very active and held many offices in PTA, LWML, and the Naomi Guild. As Lorren and Jeanne raised their family, Jeanne enjoyed teaching Sunday school and was a leader in Sunrise 4-H club. Throughout the years, she was firm supporter of her kids and grandkids in 4-H, athletics, choir, and FFA. Jeanne enjoyed exhibiting at the Wright County Fair and she said a highlight of the year was to go to the MN State Fair, where she spent time in the Creative building and 4-H building. Jeanne spent many hours perfecting her skills at gardening, baking, canning, and sewing many quilts with the Guild ladies. She volunteered at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Howard Lake

After Lorren passed, Jean continued living on the family farm working in her flower garden, sewing quilts for World relief and attending grandkid activities. She moved into Haven Homes in September of 2024.
Jean is survived by her children, Neal (Marnie) Glessing of Howard Lake, MN and Dawn (Dan) Sawatzke of Waverly; grandchildren Andy (Nicolle) Sawatzke of Buffalo, Joe (Beth)Sawatzke of Winsted, Jeanne (Justin) Hertzog of Winsted, Abby (Brad) Ficker of Winsted, and David Glessing of Howard Lake; eight great grandchildren; Kayden, Addison, Lachlynn, Lennon, Hallie, Bennett, Sophie, and Hudson; and many other friends and relatives.

She is remembered for her kind spirit, humbleness, and willingness to help others. She was genuine and down to earth. She enjoyed being around other people, especially if she could brighten someone else’s day with a kind word of encouragement.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Stella Wills, her father and mother-in-law, Henry and Emma Glessing, her husband, Lorren, siblings, Doris (Russ) Sovde, Darrel (Shirley) Wills, Orlo (Arlene) Wills, and Lloyd (Donna) Wills. Brothers- and sister-in-laws Warren (Edna) Glessing, May (Ben) Sherva, Howard (Vernice) Glessing, Eva (Ted) Handrich, Omar (Verna) Glessing, Maurice (Eva) Glessing. Nephews and Nieces: Allen Glessing, Richard Glessing, Bob Wills, Pam Wills, and Cindy Wills.

Visitation will be Friday, January 31, 2025 from 4-8 PM and one hour prior to the service. Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 1, 2025 all at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota.

LaVonne Louise Youngren was born May 7, 1940 in Slayton, MN to John and Ruthe (Halsne) Carlson. Together with her parents and siblings, they moved to a farm in Swanville, MN. Lavonne graduated from Swanville High School and attended cosmetology school and then found her passion in the floral industry after attending Anoka Hennepin Technical College.

LaVonne met Timothy Youngren while working at the Cokato Hospital after Tim’s water-skiing accident and they married on September 24, 1960. They were blessed with three children: Cindy, Scott and Wendy. As a family, they shared their lives working an active dairy and crop farm north of Waverly. LaVonne was an expert at calf raising and taught the kids life skills of gardening, canning, bee keeping, sewing, cooking and baking.

LaVonne had a passion for her profession as a florist and created beautiful arrangements for her kids and grandkids proms, graduations and weddings! Lavonne was a jack of all trades and held positions including being a hairstylist, working at the Wright County Fair, Untiedt’s Vegetable Farm, Carlson’s Apple Orchard and as a hospital clerk, where she met the love of her life, Tim.

LaVonne enjoyed spending her time with many different activities including fishing, snowmobiling, camping, and RV travel. Lavonne traveled throughout the US, Germany, New Zealand and Israel. LaVonne was strong in her faith and was actively committed to the activities and service to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. LaVonne enjoyed spending time with her flowers and gardening, enjoying her grandkids and watching Laker sports and music performances.

Over the years Lavonne was involved in many organizations in the area including the Waverly QQ Club, Wright County Homemakers, 4-H and Waverly Wanders Snowmobile Club.

Survivors include her children: Cindy (Roger) Heuer, Scott (Kim) Youngren and Wendy (Ryan) Youngren Doran. Grandchildren: Alyssa (Adam)Farrell, Joshua (Brittany) Myers, David (Navin) Youngren, Courtney (Travis) Duxbury, Derek (Emily) Youngren, Carl (Eillie) Heuer, Dylan (Kennedy) Youngren, and Great-Grandchildren: Kayden, Grayson, Haylen, Brodee, Addisyn, Evelyn, Charleigh, Maren, Myla, Maggie, Lucille, Julianne, Franklin, Theodore, Henrik, Amelia and Adeline. Foreign Exchange Daughter: Tessa Taylor.

Preceded in death by her husband Tim, great-granddaughter Rosalie Heuer and many other close family members.

Services will be held at 12:00 PM, Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota with visitation starting at 11:00 AM, one hour prior to service.

Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Howard Lake, Minnesota. #320-543-3401 www.swansonpeterson.com