Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Daniel James Robertson, 70, of Cokato, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his children Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato, MN.
At the time of Dan’s passing, the room was full of love, prayer, and sadness as he left his earthly home for the one prepared for him in heaven.
Dan was born November 19, 1950, to Daniel and Patricia Robertson of Osseo, MN. He graduated from Osseo High School in 1969, and went on to further his education at Anoka Ramsey Technical College, focusing on auto mechanics.
After working in the automobile repair industry for a period of time, Dan changed careers and worked for Honeywell, ATK, and Excel Energy as a security guard. In addition, Dan served as an emergency medical technician for more than 35 years.
After Dan retired, he moved to Cokato to be near his children and grandchildren. He stayed active by working as a part-time bus driver for Dassel-Cokato and Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted school districts, as well as an employee of Cenex Lake Region in Cokato.
Dan was a proud United States citizen. He respected the American flag and what it stands for. He honored law enforcement and appreciated the veterans of this country who fought for his freedom.
Dan was proud of his family. He was never shy to give his children or grandchildren a hug or tell them that he loved them. Dan was excited to attend his grandchildren’s various sporting events or celebrations, and would surely tell anyone who would listen about how they were doing.
Dan was proud to be a mentor and member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He spent countless hours sharing his life’s experiences and helping others battle the same disease that he fought against.
Dan was a proud motorcycle enthusiast. He kept two motorcycles and was a rider and member of the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group. He loved the time he spent on his bike.
Dan was energized by people. He enjoyed discussions with many different people in many walks of life. A humble, yet outgoing man, Dan never let anyone feel alone. After one conversation with him, you’d consider him a friend.
Dan will be greatly missed by his family, friends, co-workers, and country.
Dan was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Charles Robertson, mother Patricia Robertson, and sister Mary Jo Carr. Survivors include daughters Kari Kern and Kristi Hiivala, sons Daniel (Stephanie) Robertson, and Michael (Mary) Robertson, and grandchildren Nicholas and Zachary Kern; Olivia, Gabrielle and Raquel Robertson; Nathan Anderson, Katie and Max Hiivala; and Nolan and Paisley Robertson, as well as siblings Douglas (Deb) Robertson; Deborah (Ken) Prillamen; Dennis (Amy) Robertson, and Charlynn Escobar and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A visitation and prayer service will take place Saturday, October 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church, with a short prayer service at 5:00. Arrangements are being handled by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home (320-286-2534).

Our dear aunt, Melba Jean Johnson, 96, of Cokato, MN passed away October 19, 2021 at Cokato Manor.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Saturday, October 23, 2021 at North Crow River Lutheran Church, North of Cokato.
Visitation: 1 hour prior to service at church.
Interment: Church Cemetery.
Note: due to the church’s Covid funeral policy masks are required by all when inside the church.

Melba was born May 31, 1925 in Spring Grove, MN to Henry and Caroline (Pfister) Kittelson. She was baptized at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. When she was 11 her family moved to East Chain, MN. She was confirmed at East Chain Lutheran Church and graduated from East Chain Consolidated School in 1943. Melba graduated from Waldorf College with a teaching degree and taught for 3 years after that at Swea City, IA. It was during this time at East Chain Lutheran Church when Melba felt the Holy Spirit calling her to become a missionary. She spent a year at Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis for mission field preparation, and was called to serve in Bolivia, South America from 1949 to 1953. She came home when her father died and returned to teaching 6th grade in Swea City. During this time, she obtained a BA degree from Cedar Falls Teachers College by going to summer school, cared for her mother, and taught Sunday School and Bible School at East Chain. The pastor of East Chain Lutheran, Rev. Russell Peterson, and his wife Gladys were good friends of Melba’s. When they moved to Cokato, Melba would visit, and on one of those visits they introduced her to Oliver Johnson. Melba & Oliver were married November 24, 1967. Melba started teaching 5th grade at Cokato Elementary and retired in 1989 after teaching 22 years. She and Oliver enjoyed being snow birds in Sun City, AZ for 12 years after retirement.
Melba was an active member of North Crow Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, led Bible studies, participated in women’s group, and sang in a trio for many years. She loved to sing and could play the piano by ear.
Melba was an excellent historian, keeping meticulous records and files of genealogy for her family, as well as her husband’s family tree. She enjoyed traveling, history, and nature, and shared these interests through photographs and journals. She welcomed her students to their farm on field trips to study conservation and nature. Melba also enjoyed watching the Twins and Vikings games on TV, and used to keep track of the players’ names in a notebook.
With the decline in her health, Melba never lost her sense of humor, her kind nature, or her strong faith. She loved singing hymns, even when it was difficult for her to speak. She was grateful for the wonderful care she received at Cokato Manor (and especially for her loving foot and hand massages from Marian). God bless her caregivers! We are so thankful to each one who showed Melba kindness, compassion and love!
Melba was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Oliver; her parents; her siblings and their spouses: Gavin (Ethel) Kittelson, Floyd (Evelyn) Kittelson, Evelyn (Norine) Danielson, Clifton (Joyce) Kittelson, and Odell (Margaret) Kittelson; nephews Carleton Kittelson and Paul Danielson.
Left to cherish her memory are many nieces, nephews, and their families, as well as dear friends.

Fay Alice Osberg, age 93, of Cokato passed away October 5, 2021 at the Cokato Manor. She was born January 12, 1928 in Litchfield, MN to Lester and Hazel (Cropp) Wischmann. Fay was united in marriage to Donald Osberg on July 15, 1955 at the Lutheran church in Dassel. She worked as a bank teller at the State Bank in Cokato. Fay and Don spent winters in Florida and Arizona, doing craft shows and flea markets.
Survived by her children, Cathy Stevenson, and Walter (MaryLou) Osberg, grandchildren, Stefanie Cohen, Brian (Stephanie) Stevenson, Amon Osberg, Anthony Osberg, and Derek (Jennifer) Osberg, and 8 great-grandchildren, Elianah, Emma, Nathan, Maggie, Lucy, Sabrina, Jania, and Lydia.
Preceded in death by her husband, Donald, sister, Lola Lohse, sister in-law, Janet Varland, son in-law, Paul Cohen, great-granddaughters, Devorah and Leika Cohen, and grandniece, Ashlie Anderson.
A memorial service will take place at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato with visitation 1 hour prior to services. Masks will be required for attendance. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Edward Stolka, age 89 of Waverly, MN passed away on October 9, 2021. He was born the 8th of 9 children on January 8, 1932 in Mahnomen, MN to Frank and Marie (Drsek) Stolka. Baptized January 17, 1932, received first communion on July 1, 1939, and was confirmed June 18, 1945 at St Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen, MN. He attended school in Mahnomen and served his country in the US Army for 2 years during the Korean War from July of 1952 to April of 1954. Ed was a machine operator at Hub Manufacturing in Minneapolis and later worked at Midwest Expanded Metal in Waconia, MN. He was united in marriage to Gloria Specht on August 11, 1956 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. He later married Gladys Glessing on February 5, 1983 in their home.

He enjoyed woodworking: making whirly gigs, wishing wells, windmills, birdhouses. He could repair most anything. He also enjoyed camping, loved playing with his grandchildren and gardening: marigolds and geraniums. Ed spent a week in June each summer fishing in Spooner, WI and would use his spare time to mow his, his neighbor, David’s, and his friend, Janet’s lawns.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Gladys, siblings, Frank (Betty) Stolka, Verna (Leonard) Berg, Rose (Jim) Rys, Charles Stolka, Anna (Fred) Schmidt, James (Berniece) Stolka, Marie/Mary (“Hap”) Clausen, Helen (Charlie) Reitz, and grandson, Troy Sherrer of McGrath, AK.
Survived by a special friend, Janet Midtling of Cokato, MN, best buddy, Willy Haavisto of Cokato, MN, children, Doug Stolka (Andy Reynolds) of Delano, MN, Annette Bendtsen (Chris Skelton) of Milaca, MN, Frank (Lori) Stolka of Delano, MN, step children, Gail Sherrer of Portland, OR (Doug Sherrer of Fairbanks, AK), Denise Glessing Dyreson (Bernie Dyreson) of Delano, MN, Dennis (Vicky) Glessing of Howard Lake, MN, grandchildren, Brent Stolka, Tracy Friedman, Joseph Bendtsen (Kayla Boerma), Crystal (Chris) Bailey, Matthew Bendtsen, Heather Coleman, Kevin Stolka (Emlie Vigil), Shane (Andrea) Dyreson, Kevin Brigham (Kayla O’Donnell), Hilary (Nate) Schlosser, Cassie Brigham, Jared (Cassey) Glessing, Corrisa (Kirk) Haugan, Jessica Glessing, Melissa (Steve) Clark, great-grandchildren, Annabelle Bendtsen, Brendon Silva, Benson Stolka, Powers Bailey, Bentley Krueger, and many other relatives and friends.
A funeral mass will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly, MN with Father Kenneth O’Hotto officiating. Visitation from 9-10:45 at Church on Saturday. Interment following lunch at Howard Lake Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Brent Stolka, Joseph Bendtsen, Kevin Stolka, and Jared Glessing, and nephews, Raymond Schmidt and Phillip Schmidt. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, Minnesota, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401

Live Stream

On Sunday, October 10, 2021 Luella Norberg, age 92, of Cokato was sitting in a pew at her beloved church when she was suddenly taken to her heavenly home. Funeral services are Friday, October 15th at 1:00 p.m. at North Crow River Lutheran Church at rural Cokato with Rev. Marianne Zitzewitz officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation is Friday at the church from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred and will be given to charities that were important to Luella. Arrangements are with Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato.

Note: due to the church’s Covid funeral policy masks are required by all when inside the church.

Luella Mae Norberg was born February 8, 1929 in Little Falls, MN, to Albert and Florence (Pantzke) Lilga. She grew up in rural Little Falls farm, and attended country school, which was right at the bottom of their farm driveway. She graduated from Little Falls High School and then attended vocational school in Hopkins to study bookkeeping. She was subsequently employed by Minneapolis Moline in Hopkins. She met Gordon Norberg at a gathering in French Lake. After several years of courting, they were married June 27, 1953 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls. They made their home on the Norberg farm at rural Cokato and were blessed with four children. Besides being a homemaker, she was a farmwife that helped bale hay and milk cows, and always had a big garden. For many years she raised chickens with a brisk business of selling eggs to the neighborhood and beyond. She was a wonderful cook and within a month of marriage learned what it meant to “feed a thrashing crew”. Luella’s faith was always important to her and served her church in many ways. She enjoyed quilting with her church friends, was an avid reader, and with her green thumb could resurrect most needy plants. Gordon and Luella moved into Cokato in 1989 and he passed away in 2010. Shortly after that she moved into Edgewood Gables in Cokato and later Brookridge Assisted Living where she enjoyed the companionship of many.

Luella is survived by her four children: Lynnette (and Gordy) Blem of Olivia, Kathy (and Mike) Miller of Annandale, Peter (and Lori) Norberg of Indianapolis, IN, and Mark Norberg (and special friend Vinita Kardell) of Cokato; her 11 grandchildren: Amy (Vlad) von Barnes, Anna (Mark) Milner, Aaron (Amanda) Blem, Adam (Natalie) Miller, Isaaac Miller, Molly (Shaun) Uecker, Dani Norberg, Andrew Norberg, Melissa Norberg, Megan Norberg, and Victor (Shayla) Norberg; 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Elaine Lilga; and close friend Dorothy Hansen. Luella was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gordon; her two siblings: Art Lilga and Alt Lilga; and sisters-in-law Donna Lilga and Vicki Norberg.

Live Stream https://my.gather.app/remember/luella-norberg