Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Marlys Marie was born on January 26th to Henry and Helen (Anderson) Salmela in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the youngest of three children. Marlys grew up in Minneapolis. She spent her summers in Kingston with her Grandma Sophie while her parents were working. When her family moved to Cokato Marlys spent her teenage years working at the family business, the Cokato Bakery where she made life long friends. The bakery became a loving place filled with countless memories for Marlys and her family. It was where she met her future husband, Dennis. Marlys graduated from Cokato High School in 1950.

Marlys married Dennis Ortquist on January 13th, 1952. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage together (62 of them spent in the same house) and had 8 children, 25 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren.

Marlys loved her community and volunteered her time with the Cokato Nursing Home, Meals on Wheels, the American Legion, Eastern Star, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was an active member of her church and enjoyed being able to give back to her church family. She was employed by 3M for 25 years, but the title she cherished the most was Mom. She loved spending time with her family, whether that included shopping trips, coffee parties, or family trips to have countless laughs together. Holidays brought joy and memories for Marlys. Christmas held a special spot in her heart which she shared with her family.

Marlys Died peacefully on December 15th, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her children Rene Ortquist, Robin (Tim) Kelly, Rise (Ron) Beckman, Rori (Doug) Carlson, Ruthie (Ron) Klima, Reid (Cheryl) Ortquist, Rahn (Pamela) Ortquist, Raquel (Chad) Kirchoff, Blake (Nick) Mullen, 25 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren.

Marlys is preceded in death by her husband Dennis, parents (Henry and Helen,) brother Roger Salmela and baby boy Salmela, granddaughter Ria Beckman, great grandson Austin Carlen, and great granddaughter Nora Klima. Peace be to her memory.

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 20, 2024 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with visitation 1 hour prior to services at church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Lowell Michael Mikkelson, age 83 of Delano MN, passed away on Saturday December 14, 2024. He was born March 30th, 1941 in Belgrade, MN to Nordahl and Agnes Mikkelson.

He grew up in the Belgrade and Howard Lake areas, was baptized at Crow River Church in Belgrade and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake.

After Lowell graduated Howard Lake High School in 1959, he joined the United States Army and served for 6 years. After the Army he attended Dunwoody Institute for a short time before pursuing his career in Property Management for the past 50 years.

Lowell married the love of his life, Barbara Mahlstedt in 1963. They were married for 59 years. Together they lived in St. Louis Park and then moved to Long Lake and built their life for the next 35 years raising 2 daughters. They resided in Delano for the last 25 years.

Some of Lowell’s favorite hobbies were occasional trips to the Casino, watching football and going out with family and friends for dinners. He also enjoyed vacationing for many years with Barb, the girls and their friends. His favorite moments were spending time with his grandchildren Alex, Cameron, and Dani.

Lowell is preceded in death by his beloved wife Barb Mikkelson, parents Nordahl and Agnes Mikkelson and brother LeRoy Mikkelson.

Lowell is survived by his daughters Kimberly (Rod Spiering) Sipprell and Shannon (Mike) Cox. Grandchildren Alex (Montanna) Sipprell, Cameron Sipprell, and Danica (boyfriend Hayden Staudenmayer) Cox. Sisters Janice Lovaas and Julie Nuccio. Many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Friday, December 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM with visitation prior starting at 10 AM, both at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, Minnesota.

Shirley Bernice Erickson, age 73

Wife, mother, grandmother. Went peacefully to be with her Jesus on Friday, December 6th, 2024. 

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, John Erickson, sons Josh (Amber) Erickson and Jeremiah Erickson, daughter Jenna (Dan) Gohman, grandsons Bauer and Eli Erickson and Sean Gohman. As well as 9 siblings, 14 nephews and nieces and 17 great-nephews and great-nieces.

Preceded in death by her mother Ardis, father Melvin, sister Joann, and nephew Matthew.

She spent her days gardening, visiting, making projects for county fairs, and bargain hunting at every thrift store and garage sale she came across. 

She was a beautiful soul who loved Jesus, and loved her family. 

Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm on Monday, December 9, 2024 with a prayer service 7:30 pm at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church in French Lake, Minnesota.

Donald Harvey Lange (Big D)
Born on January 26, 1938 in Osseo, MN. Passed away peacefully on November 22, 2024.
Preceded in death by his parents Harold & Emma (Schutte) Lange, sister Lucille, brother Harold Jr., grandsons Bryce Lambrecht, Robbie Maiers and great granddaughter Avery Sinclair.
Survived by Brent & Kim Lange, Troy & Susie Lange, Mindy & Phil Maiers, Tracey & Paul Lambrecht, Wade Lange, and former wife Janine Sherry Lange. Survived by many friends & family.

Phillip Allan “Bogo” Bajari was born on May 20, 1941 to Pat and Shirley (Harrington) Bajari in French Lake, MN where he resided the remainder of his life.

He attended Lee School west of French Lake until 8th grade and then Annandale High School. When young, he worked for Barton Sand and Gravel and French Lake Auto Parts. He married Diana Dawson in 1961. They celebrated their 63rd anniversary on July 24th.

He bought Windy Hill Auto Parts from Roger Christianson in 1964 with his dad Pat acting as a somewhat silent partner. With his brother Larry, they grew 5 acres and 150 cars into 160 acres and over 10,000 cars, specializing in “classics” that drew customers from all over the world. He worked there until the day before his death which was one day short of his lifelong wish. He also owned Sisseton Salvage from 1977 to 1983 and spent many happy years crushing cars on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota.

Bogo was an avid reader with interests spanning from World War II and the Korean War to Native American, Finnish, and Russian culture. His love of music ranged from Tom T Hall, Waylon and Willie, Merle Haggard, and Patsy Cline, to Buddy Red Bow, John Lee Hooker, CCR, Neil Young, and Steppenwolf.

Although a confirmed atheist, he lived a Christian life – opening his home to hitchhikers, young people with bad home lives, stray cats, and anyone else that needed help. He anxiously awaited Lenten fish fries.
He loved little kids, working, coffee, saunas, and interesting people. He proudly never drank, yet failed to admit to his last 13 years of smoking after a 40 year hiatus.

He will forever be remembered for his remarkable memory, efficient conversations, his work ethic, being a good neighbor and champion of the underdog, a penchant for not suffering fools, and an ability to get a hold of people even before cell phones. He had a stoic (or crabby) exterior but a very soft heart.

He is survived by his wife Diana, children Davey (Rita) of French Lake, Hannah (David) Voss of Paynesville, Willie of New London, grand children Greta (Kyle) Johnson of Buffalo, Halley Bajari of French Lake, Storm (Lydia) Bajari of St. Cloud, Susan (Timmy) Kallock and great granddaughter Eden of Paynesville, Hunter (Katie Holtzclaw) Voss of Paynesville; siblings Betty Jane Schaefer of Sun Lakes, AZ, Jerry Joe (Ann) Bajari of French Lake, Larry (Pam) of New London, Linda (Pat) Kerrigan of LaCrescent, MN and Joey (Brad) of Wisconsin; Sister in law Wanda (Dwayne) Lamprecht of Florida and 18 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Riika, parents Pat and Shirley Bajari, inlaws Babe and Ada Dawson, brother in law Allan Schaefer, brother in law Ollie Dawson, niece Sarah Schaefer Lange, uncle Melvin Alama, unadopted son Thomas G. (Heavy) Hanson, and best friend Allan Peterson.

Funeral will be at Kingston Community Center (30840 722nd Ave, Dassel MN 555325) on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 12:00 with visitation one hour before. In his honor, read a book.