Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Vogelsang, Donna Mae
age 88, of Winsted and Howard Lake, Minnesota passed away on January 11, 2021 at The Gardens of Winsted, Minnesota.
Donna was born November 3, 1932 in Blue Earth, MN to Leonard and Martha (Belau) Wood. On January 20th, 1951 she was united in marriage to Gerald Walter Vogelsang. This union was blessed with 5 children. She served her community through daycare and foster care and for many years was a Wright County head start teacher.
Donna enjoyed camping and children. She was particularly passionate about being a grandma.
Survived by her children, Brian (Jan) Vogelsang, Nancy (Doug) Neumann, Darlyce (Robert Smith) Vogelsang, and Janice (Steve) Edmonson, 9 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, son, Mark, parents, and 1 brother.
A grave side service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 9, 2021 at St. James Lutheran Cemetery on Dutch Lake, Howard Lake, Minnesota with a reception to follow at the Blue Note in Winsted. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN 320-543-3401 www.swansonpeterson.com

Nancy Phoebe Jane Dokken Mills
Born in St Paul MN on January 16, 1933
Died Friday, March 26th 2021 in her sleep at home in Hanahan, SC listening to “It Is Well With My Soul.”

Nancy was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, navy wife, and more. She was a strong Christian whose light shined on so many people. The Lord was a central part of her life and every time she moved, she made sure to be active in helping the local body grow and mature. She ministered through singing in the choir, inviting people to church, helping with the prison ministry, cooking meals. She and Dusty were missionaries in the states for YFC Lifeline Youth Homes.

She lived all over the world with her Husband and family. She was married to Marvin (Dusty) Lew Mills LCDR U.S. Navy (Ret.). He was in the navy for almost 28 years. He preceded her in death in 1986. She was also preceded in death by her infant daughter Kayoko, and 21-year-old son Tino. She was the last surviving child of Altha and Elmer Dokken of Cokato, MN.

She was told she could not have children because of a car accident that shattered her spine, but she did not let her disability stop her from living life. After much discussion with the doctor, she was told she could carry a child only if she was on bed rest and she rose to the challenge. After her first child’s birth, Nancy went on to adopt 4 more children and over time foster-mothered 64 children.

Nancy is survived by her three children Dolores Carveth (Rick), Ryoko Yaryan (Samuel), and Toshio Mills (Jo), eight grandchildren Ann Popik (Ray), Carol Carveth, Tommy Carveth (Brette), Caleb Yaryan (Julie), Barak Yaryan (Lauren), Adriel Yaryan, Jacqueline Mills, and Joy Mills, and seven great-grandchildren, Noah Carveth, Jude Yaryan, Nora Yaryan, Ezra Yaryan, Malachi Yaryan, Isaac Yaryan, Selah Yaryan.

Those close to her would describe her as indomitable, loving, nurturing, and servant-hearted.
Nancy was “one tough cookie” who loved the Lord.

Memorial donations can be sent to:
Lowcountry Crisis Pregnancy Center – https://secure.egsnetwork.com/donate/8EED4D31384E446
Cokato Museum – https://www.cokatomuseum.org/how-to-donate.html
Campus Outreach – https://www.campusoutreach.org/donate/

Grave side Service: 2PM April 5, 2021 at Cokato City Cemetery
Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Cokato and Howard Lake, Minnesota 320-286-2534

Syrillis Althea (Krueger) Reek age 99, passed away March 21, 2021. She was born Dec. 24th, 1921 to Herman and Beda Krueger in Loretto, Minnesota. Syrillis graduated district 77 in Loretto, Minnesota. She was married October 4th, 1942 to Marvin Reek at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Waukegan, Ill. They spent many years farming near Howard Lake after Marvin returned from WWII. They had two children, Mary Ann and Dennis.
Syrillis worked as a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, sewing, and making quilts. She would always make coffee and have home-baked treats for those that dropped by to visit. Syrillis enjoyed many wonderful years of retirement traveling with Marvin throughout the United States and snow-birding in Florida and Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her parents, half-brother, Claude Hoard, half-sister, Phillis Slind, and great-granddaughter, Hannah Lagergren, brothers, Vernon and Wally Krueger, son-in-law, Richard Groven, and granddaughter-in-law, Kiley Lagergren.
Survived by her son, Dennis (Bonnie) Reek, daughter, Mary Ann Groven, grandsons, Steve (Dawn), Mark (Jessica), and Aaron (Kiley) Lagergren, granddaughter, Amanda (Matt) Roeder, great-grandchildren, Nora, Holly ,Anna, Mae, Teagen, Hayden, Kaplan, Starr, Phoenix, and Justice, sister, Dolores (Harold) Burke, along with several nieces and nephews.
She will be happily reunited with her beloved husband Marvin and other family and friends who have gone before her.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake with visitation 1 hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home, www.swansonpeterson.com 320-543-3401

Weller, Richard S. Jr.
age 93 of Howard Lake, passed away March 16, 2021 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. He was born January 28, 1928 in Hopkins, MN to Richard and Luella (Townsend) Weller. Richard attended Rockford Schoolhouse until the 8th grade and later in life obtained his GED. He held various jobs in maintenance, farming, and as a machinist. Richard enjoyed driving tractors, mowing the lawn with the lawn tractor, reading, astronomy, and watching storms.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife, Gertrude, son, Bruce, stepdaughter, Dawn, sister, Rosie and Hazel, and brother, Willard.
Survived by his sons, David and Brian, daughters, Kathy, Debbie, and Marla, stepsons, Frank Bulock and William Roth, and sister, Varona Seth.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Albion Evangelical Free Church, with visitation 1 hour prior to services at church.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota www.swansonpeterson.com 320-543-3401

Phyllis D. Nikunen, 78, of Clarion, passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion.
Phyllis Dianne Junttila, the daughter of John and Julia (Walikainen) Junttila, was born August 31, 1942 in South Range, Michigan. Phyllis graduated from L’Anse High School in L’Anse, Michigan in 1960. She then continued her education at Suomi Junior College majoring in Accounting, graduating in 1961. While at Suomi Junior College, she toured Europe with the college choir.
Phyllis was united in marriage to Pastor Jerome Nikunen on September 14, 1963 in Chassell, Michigan. The couple followed their callings to various towns and states throughout their marriage.
Phyllis held many jobs over the years, including a certified chiropractor assistant, dental assistant, sales representative for Thrivent, Special Education para and helped with disabled. Her biggest passion of all was being a Pastor’s wife and homemaker.
Phyllis enjoyed reading, collecting dolls, and churches, sewing, and camping with her family. Every summer the family would make their way to the family cabin on Twin Lakes.
Phyllis is remembered for being very social and kind hearted. It was often stated that “Dad was the head of the household but she was the neck that turns the head.” She always put family and the Lord first.
Phyllis is survived by her husband of 58 years of marriage Pastor Jerome; son Jeff and Brenda Nikunen and their children Jeremy, Jessica, Rose, Samuel and Caleb; daughter Rebecca (Dale) Trushenski and children Marcus, Daniel, Jonathan, Annika and Ronnie (Kayla); sister Kathy (Dave) Nikunen; brothers-in-law, John Feldman and Bruce (Marsha) Nikunen; sisters-in law Kris (Glen) Kloempken, and Susan Wiles, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Junttila; and grandson, Peter.
May God bless her memory.
Memorial Service: 2 PM Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church of Cokato