Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Sharon Lee Bisek
Sharon Lee Bisek of Green Valley, AZ, passed away peacefully on Monday January 6, 2020. She was 78 years old.
Sharon was born to Warren and Lucile Wilson on Feb 15, 1941 in Worthington, MN. She attended a country school where she was the only girl in the school. She graduated in 1959 from Windom, MN High School. After graduation she went to Minneapolis and worked at Bell Phone Company until she married her husband Norbert on Aug 11, 1962. They then moved to Le Sueur, MN. Norbert and Sharon had 3 children born in 1963, 1964, and 1966. Six weeks after the birth of her 3rd child she was diagnosed with Pancreatitis. The family moved to Norwood MN where she resided for 34 years.
Sharon always had a passion for health and exercise. She started her journey with power walking and cross country skiing where she went on a trip and skied in -45 degrees wind chill. Later she got into Jazzercise and even performed at the Metrodome.
In 1974 she went to work for FSI in accounting. It was here where she got interested in biking from a fellow employee. She was then determined to bike 4 to 5 thousand miles a summer. Whatever Sharon did she gave it one hundred percent. In the winter, Norbert and Sharon bought 5 pieces of exercise equipment which they used every night for an hour when they could not bike. In the years that they biked they logged 30,000 miles. They would come home from work and bike 50 miles just about every night and on the weekends bike 150 miles. Norbert and Sharon biked 525 miles across MN from Fargo to Winona. They biked across Wisconsin twice. They also participated in two week rides that were 500 miles and biked across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. She had a sense of adventure! One winter Sharon and Norbert went to Ely, MN and tried dog sledding for four days. In 2004 she joined the dance team Desert Star Sweethearts and danced in the follies and different shows around the Tuscan, AZ area. Hip surgery caused her to have to retire from this team.
Sharon enjoyed creating things with her hands. She did calligraphy, macramé, quilting, counter cross stitching and the last 13 years at the clay studio where she made approximately 40 totems. And countless pottery bowls and figures.
After she retired, she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and worked part time in a flower shop making arrangements. At her lake home, she had three flower gardens that she also managed. Sharon was a great cook and loved to have the grandchildren come to the lake each summer where she could spoil them and enjoy their energy and laughter. She always dressed in style and decorated her homes to fit current décors.
Sharon is survived by husband Norbert of 57 years, daughter Shawn Bisek of Carver, MN, sons Mike (Robi) Bisek of Bloomington, MN and Jeff (Dawn) Bisek of Shakopee, MN and Robin Bisek-Techam of Chaska, MN. 8 Grandchildren; Matt (Michelle) Bisek of Astoria Oregon, Jacob (Katie) Bisek of Carver MN, Cody Bisek of Chaska MN, Cole (Dana) Benkowski of Sparks, Nevada, Carter, Cameron and Cailey Benkowski of Norwood Young America and Josh (Jaa) Bisek of Eden Prairie, MN. 5 great grandchildren Evelyn, Frankie, Norah, Theo, and Max Bisek.
She was preceded in death by her father, Mother and brother Randy Wilson, baby Wendy, brother-in-law’s John and Robert Bisek and sister-in-law Mary Stoffel.
Sharon’s Favorite bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13:13 – “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

A memorial service is being planned for later this summer at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillman, MN.

Norbert Ronald Bisek was born on June 8, 1940 in Cleveland, Minnesota to Ludvick and Margaret (Harty) Bisek. He grew up in Cleveland and graduated High School at the Weseca Agriculture School.
Norbert married Sharon Lee Wilson on August 11, 1962, at the Church of the Nativity in Cleveland, Minnesota. The couple made their home in Le Sueur, Minnesota first, then later Norwood where they lived for 34 years, and raised their 3 children.
Norb worked construction until being hired in 1966 by Eaton Char-Lyn, in Eden Prairie, MN. He worked in their maintenance department until he retired. After retirement, Norb and Sharon lived summers at their lake home on Platte Lake in Hillman, MN and wintered in Green Valley, Arizona.
Norb enjoyed many hobbies. Together Norb and Sharon did a lot of bicycling, they rode 4-5 thousand miles a summer. They rode from Fargo to Winona, twice across Wisconsin, across Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. They tried dog sledding in Ely, Minnesota for four days on one occasion, and they played a lot of golf. Norb also liked trap shooting. He also liked painting houses (only Norb would call that a hobby).
He was always active in the Catholic Church. He had served on the Board, as treasurer, usher and grounds keeper. He donated countless pints of blood and plasma to the Red Cross. He enjoyed helping others. Whether you were family, friend, neighbor or just some one that needed a hand, Norb was everyone’s go to guy. He always knew what to do, how to fix anything, how to help anywhere he could and was very generous with time and talents to anyone he met.
Norbert passed away as a victim of COVID 19, on April 1, 2020 in Tucson, Arizona. He had reached the age of 79 years, 8 months and 23 days. Survivors include, daughter Shawn Bisek of Chaska, MN. Sons Mike (Robi) Bisek of Bloomington, MN. And Jeff (Dawn) Bisek of Shakopeen MN. and Robin Bisek-Techam of Chaska. Grand children; Cole (Dana) Benkowski of Sparks, Nevada, Carter, Cameron and Cailey Benkowski of Norwood Young America, Matt (Michelle) Bisek of Astoria, Oregon, Jake (Katie) Bisek of Carver, MN. , Cody Bisek of Chaska, Josh (Jaa) Bisek of Eden Prairie, and 5 great grand children: Evelyn, Frankie, Norah, Theo, and Max Bisek. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed (Sandie) Bisek, Jim (Cindy) Bisek, Sisters and Brothers-in-law Kathy (Roger) Heller, Patti (Tom) Stumpf and sister-in-law Wanda Wilson.
Norbert was preceded in death by: his wife of 57 years Sharon, parents Lud and Margaret Bisek Brothers; Robert and John and sister Mary Stoffel, brother-in-law Randy Wilson.
A Memorial Service is being planned for later this summer at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Hillman, Minnesota. Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Cokato and Howard Lake, Minnesota 320-286-2534

Harvey Jerome Oestreich, 81, of Howard Lake, Minnesota was called to the Church Triumphant on March 31, 2020 after a battle with cancer.

A Service of Christian Burial and Interment is scheduled for May 2, 2020 at 11am. Rev. Mark Loder of St. James Lutheran Church and Rev. Rob Jarvis will be officiating; Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Attendance limits will be determined by the status of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time. Updated information can be found at www.stjameshl.org, http://www.swansonpeterson.com, facebook groups, and the family welcomes calls.

Harvey was born March 23, 1939 to Marvin and Marie (née Strauss) Oestreich. He was baptized on April 9, 1939, confirmed, and married at St. James Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Howard Lake, MN. He married Ruth Ann Alvina Burau on May 23, 1964. They were blessed with 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

After serving in the Army as a tank commander, Harvey farmed for the rest of his career while also holding down a full time job at Industrial Louvers in Delano, MN. His interests included smoking/curing meats, fishing, hunting, and he enjoyed getting involved with various collections, including coins, chainsaws, and most popular, his collection of lights. He and Ruth spent much time traveling, both with and without their RV. Harv was also an avid gardener and helped Ruth can vegetables from that garden.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his 3 siblings, Doug Oestreich, Cindy Bergquist, Lyle Oestreich; his wife of 55 years, Ruth, her brothers/sisters; children Joanne Jarvis (Rob) and Philip Oestreich (Susan); grandchildren Hannah Seek (Tim), Sarah Walters, Samuel Oestreich; and many other relatives and friends

Mary Evelyn Swedberg, was born on November 15, 1918 in Harlan, Indiana to Henry and Edna (Ziemer) Ringenberg. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from High School. She went on to college and received a degree in Education . She later returned to college at St. Cloud State in Minnesota and received an additional BS degree.

She met Richard Swedberg from Blackduck, Minnesota. They were married on May 20, 1944 at Grabill Missionary Church in Indiana. To this union 3 daughters were born. Mary’s life with Richard was spent in the states of South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Minnesota where he was pastor in several Evangelical Free Churches.

As a pastors wife and mother, Mary spent her time raising the family and being very active in Richards ministry. She taught Sunday School classes and Vacation Bible School. She was also a 2nd grade at Dassel Elementary School for 16 years. She loved being a teacher and especially loved teaching children.

After Richards death in 1996, Mary married Gordon Swedberg. They were married at her daughters home in Cokato, MN. Gordon and Mary made their home in Wheatland, Wyoming. Following Gordon’s death in 2005 Mary moved back to her home in Cokato.

Mary passed away at Brookridge Assisted Living in Cokato, MN on March 30, 2020. She had reached the age of 101 years, 4 months and 15 days. She is survived by daughter Marilyn (Mark) Peterson of Cokato. Grand Children: Darla Nyquist, Matthew Nyquist, Joshua Nyquist, Benjamin Nyquist, Anji Nyquist, Adam Walker, Aaron Walker, Rachel Seifert, Gregory Peterson and Brooke Nohner. Son-in-laws: Joel Nyquist, Robert Walker. Brothers: Ralph Ringenberg, Gerald Ringenberg and 22 great-grandchildren

She is preceded in death by her parents Henry and Edna Ringenberg, husbands: Richard Swedberg and Gordon Swedberg, daughters: Darlene Nyquist and Carol Walker.

Kathryn (Kay) Mabel Stenberg was born in Middleville Township, MN on February 11, 1933, the child of Clarence and Margaret Lundeen. She grew up in Cokato, graduating from Cokato High School. In 1954, she married Sydney Stenberg. They lived in Minneapolis where their five children were born. In 1968, the family moved to Howard Lake.
In addition to rearing five children, one of whom had physical disabilities, Kay worked for more than thirty years at the Good Samaritan Society in Howard Lake. She started as a nurse’s aide and worked her way up to bookkeeper.
Kay was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake. She was active in many ways, including serving as church treasurer, a church cleaner, and a frequent visitor of shut-ins. For years, she wrote a column, Kay’s Corner, for the Howard Lake Herald.
Kay loved her family! She was always ready to serve them in any way possible. She hosted countless family gatherings in her and Syd’s home, but she and Syd were always the first to go and help a family member—whether close by or hundreds of miles away. Kay is remembered for her quiet nature, strength, work ethic, and most of all her strong Christian faith.
In so many ways, Kay worked quietly behind the scenes to make an impact. She volunteered for organizations like March of Dimes, Easter Seals, Michael Dowling School, Gillette Children’s Hospital, and Meals on Wheels. With her husband, she ran what some came to lightheartedly call Syd and Kay’s House of Charity. They were always willing to open their home to young people going through tough times, offering them a place to stay and a good meal. For years, Kay “looked after” at least a half-dozen people who needed help on a long-term basis. She and her late husband Syd received the 2011 Minneapolis Aquatennial Honorary Commodore Award, given to individuals that have demonstrated the spirit of volunteerism.
Kathryn passed away at age 87 on March 29, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society in Howard Lake. She is survived by her children: Stephen (Joni), Thomas, Kimberly (Brian) Beecken, Julie (Dan) Kleve. Grandchildren Jeremy and Sarah; Samantha (Kyle) Shelstad, Alexander, Charles (Courtney), Cody, and William (Priscilla); Benjamin (Katlyn), Kathryn, Emma (Sam) Johnson, Jacob, and Macie Beecken; Nathan; Morgan (Troy) Scherping and McCall Kleve; eleven great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her spouse Sydney, parents, son David, grandchildren Madeysen Kleve and Christopher Stenberg.
There will be a private burial service with a memorial service announced at a later date.