Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Elroy Vern Dahlin, age 80, was a lifelong resident of Cokato, a staple in his family and community, and a generous, gentle soul. He loved God, his family, people, collecting everything, and ice cream – all traits that will live on in his children and grandchildren. On May 31, 2021, surrounded by his family, he was called home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Elroy was born to Clarence and Ruth Dahlin on June 7, 1940, the eldest of 3 children. He was baptized on October 13, 1940.
A graduate of Cokato High School, Class of 1958, Elroy played center for the Cokato Cardinals during their infamous 27-game win streak. He went on to briefly attend and play football at Bemidji State University, but returned to Cokato to work at Don’s City Service. It was here that he would meet his future wife, Betty Lundeen. They were engaged July 2, 1965 and married at the Elim Mission Church in Cokato on September 25, 1965.
In 1974, together and with their partner, Denny Lundeen, they co-founded and operated Cokato Tractor Salvage. Their business began in an empty barn and over the next 36 years, grew to selling parts throughout the United States and several other countries. Elroy and Betty were additionally blessed with 44 years of marriage, 2 children, Kurt Dahlin of Cokato and Jill Pingel of Maple Lake, and, eventually, 7 grandchildren.
The personification of a “social butterfly”, Elroy had the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and form a connection with complete strangers. You could often find him having coffee with the guys at the Marketplace, or breakfast at the Dairy Queen, or volunteering at the food shelf. Likely chatting up anyone who walked by.
Given his love of people, it is not a surprise that he would be heavily involved within the community. Elroy served 4 years on the Cokato City Council, 25 years on the Corn Carnival Committee, was an Election Judge for the Cokato Township, and a member of the Cokato Museum Board. Elroy also volunteered for 56 years working the Corn Stand at the Cokato Corn Carnival. His family has fond memories of being able to skip the line to see Grandpa Elroy and occasionally sneaking out some extra ears of corn.
His services were recognized and honored by the city as he was the recipient of the 1996 Cokato Corn Carnival Service Award and 1999 Business of the Year award, and named the 2015 Grand Marshal of the Cokato Corn Carnival kick off parade and 2018 Citizen of the Year.
Elroy dedicated himself to God and was an active member of the Elim Mission Church. Some of his favorite memories were of being a youth leader with his wife Betty. He was also an usher, AWANA leader, and served as a Trustee and Chairman of Buildings & Grounds for several years.
Elroy lived his life in service to God, his family, and community. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and was an avid bowler – attending many tournaments across the country. He also loved to attend his grandchildren’s school events whether it be a sporting event or a production of Beauty and the Beast. He was the best kind of father, grandpa, brother, and neighbor, always caring and selfless, although he did hide his Peanut Butter M&M’s so others wouldn’t eat his favorite candy.
Elroy is survived by his children Kurt (Stephanie) Dahlin, and Jill (Chad) Pingel; grandchildren Mikaela, Olivia, Natalia, and Kyle Dahlin; and Lexi (Jon) Christensen, Sadie, and Austin Pingel; siblings Mary (Gary) Redmann, and Jim (Linda) Dahlin; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Although, he has left loved ones and a community in mourning, we rejoice in the knowing that Elroy has been reunited with those who preceded him in death: his wife, Betty; father, Clarence “Ky” Dahlin; and mother, Ruth Dahlin.
The funeral service will take place on Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m. at Highland Community Church. A visitation will be held an hour prior.
Arrangements will be handled by the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Mary Lou Alene Teske
age 90, of Cokato passed away May 18, 2021 at the Cokato Manor. She was born August 1, 1930 in Middleville Township, Howard Lake, Minnesota to Walter and Luella (Prigge) Zander. In 1948, she graduated from Howard Lake High School and was united in marriage to Reuben Teske on October 15, 1948. They resided in Howard Lake for 3 more years and in 1952 started Teske Trucking and moved to Cokato, Minnesota.
Most important to Mary Lou was her family and her faith. She was a hard worker who enjoyed bowling, embroidery, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and baking chocolate chip cookies and bars.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Terry, brothers, Edward, Ralph, and Bernard Zander, and sister, Lauretta Warne.
Survived by her children, Tom (Linda) Teske, and Mary Ann Teske, grandchildren, Beau (Lana) Hagen, Tammy (Wayne) Thompson, Justin (Jessica) Teske, and Brock (Laura) Teske, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 11, 2021 with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Ellis Ralph Lutter, age 73 of Howard Lake, died on Thursday, May 13, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father, Arvid Lutter and sister, Gayle Pudlitzke. He is survived by his mother, Lyla Lutter, Cokato; son Patrick (Jackie) Lutter, Eagan; daughter Sandy (Guillermo) Garcia, Bloomington; grandchildren Jordan (Kate) Lutter, Golden Valley, Olivia Lutter, Eagan, Perry Karg, Bloomington & Carly Karg, Holland, Michigan; wife Marilyn Malinen-Lutter, St. Cloud; brother Dennis Lutter, Anoka; sister Connie (Sheldon) Modrow, Champlin; nephews Matt Modrow, Crystal & Joe Modrow, Coon Rapids. Also survived by cousins, numerous friends and faithful, caring neighbors. Ellis was well known for his gift of gab and his vast knowledge of anything automotive. He will be dearly missed by all who loved him.
A memorial service will take place at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Howard Lake, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-543-3401

Sheldonna (Donna) Haglin passed into her eternal life in Jesus on March, 2021. Dear mother, mother-in law, grandma, “Great Gramma Gumball” aunt, great aunt, friend to all. Because of God’s Grace she lived a life of helping and service to others.
Born December 2, 1927. She was raised in Minneapolis by her parents, Seldon and Clara (List) Yoerg, grew up with her 2 sisters, Judy and Louise. At the age of 16 she searched for the truth in life and her mother gave her money for bus fare to go to various churches. The truth of Jesus was revealed to her at Minnetonka Union Church, Minnetonka Mills.
She graduated from Vocational High School in Minneapolis, and found employment at the Minneapolis Health Club in the Foshay Tower. She talked about getting scallops as a treat for 25 cents. She attended Northwestern Bible College for two and a half years. She sang in the choir. Billy Grahm was head of the school then.
She met Harvey through his sister Florence, who also attended Northwestern. They were married June 18, 1949 at the Minnetonka Mills Union Church. They lived in Buffalo, then found a farm in Howard Lake and there raised Greg, Lynette, LeeAnn, and Terry. Farming, Church secretarial duties, Sunday School, VBS, school board, church elder, blood mobile coordinator, senior citizen volunteer driver, filled her years. Two foreign exchange students; Rudolf from Germany and Maria of Brazil, knew her as their mom for a year. She has been blessed with 13 grandchildren and many great grandchildren whom she dearly loved. She wanted all to know God’s Love in Jesus.
Although earthly live and its memories come to an end, God’s Grace and Trust in Jesus are eternal.
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Cokato.
Visitation: 4-8 PM Tuesday June 1, 2021 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, and 1 hr. prior to memorial service on Wednesday at the Baptist Church in Cokato.
Interment: with her husband Harvey at Ft. Snelling National cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Howard Lake and Cokato, Minnesota 320-286-2534

Paul Edgar Fredricks was born in Stockholm Township, Minnesota on June 13, 1936, to George and Victoria (Gustafson) Fredricks. He attended Glascoe grade school and graduated from Cokato High School in 1954. On September 14, 1957, Paul married Sharon Wonola at Stockholm Lutheran Church. In 1961, they purchased their farm in Stockholm Township where they raised their three sons.
One of his first jobs was managing the roller rink in Cokato. Later in life, he drove a milk truck for the Stockholm Co-Op Creamery Association, and then became a dairy and beef cattle farmer for over 40 years. After his retirement, he was a school bus driver for Dassel-Cokato public schools.
Paul served as clerk on the Stockholm Township board for 28 years. He was also on the Board of Directors for Wright-Hennepin Electric Co-Op.
Paul loved to laugh. He liked a good joke and he loved to tell one. After hearing one of Paul’s jokes, the response from almost everyone (especially his sisters) was, “Oh, Paul!” His sense of humor will be sorely missed.
During his free time, he enjoyed going to tractor shows. He was also a league bowler for Howard Morris agency. He especially looked forward to spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Paul passed away peacefully at his home on May 2, 2021, surrounded by his family at the age of 84 years.
Survivors include his sons: Craig (Vikki) of Riverbank, CA; Carl (Amy) of Howard Lake, MN; Chad (Laura) of Cokato, MN. Grandchildren: Cassandra (Seth) Shultz, Stacie (Shane) Derichs, Jasmine Meservey, Aaron Fredricks, Erica Plath, Ashlyn Ratike, Isabelle and Ava Elias, Cassidy, Brandon and Megan Blazinski, Vernon (Jr) Kinneman and Fletcher Jensen. Great-Grandchildren: Zoey and Mallory Derichs, Joshua Kafka, Charlie and Benjamin Shultz, Layla Severtson. Sisters: Ruth (Garland) Buttenhoff, Beverly (Harvey) Burau, other relatives including nieces, nephews and countless friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; parents, George and Victoria Fredricks; father and mother in law, Reino and Inga Hill, Otto and Ina Wonola; sisters, Effie (Earl) Terning; Lucile (Norman) Dahlman; brother, Robert (Doris) Fredricks.
A memorial service will take place at 11AM on Friday, May 7, 2021 at Stockholm Lutheran Church, with visitation from 5-7 PM on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato and continuing 1 hour prior to services at church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stockholm Lutheran Church.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com