Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

John Herman Holker passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 23, 2025, at Cokato Manor. He was born March 17, 1948 in Monticello, Minnesota, to Leo and Helen Holker.
John grew up on a farm in Monticello and graduated from Monticello High School in 1966. On March 27, 1989, he married the love of his life, Jayne Morris, and together they built a life filled with family, laughter, and shared passions.
John spent more than twenty-five years of his career at Hogland Bus and Truck Company and retired in 2013. He grew up as a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church. John enjoyed many hobbies, including amateur radio and gardening. He was a proud member of John Deere 2 Cylinder Club as well as the Knights of Columbus in Monticello, Minnesota. Known for his sense of humor, John loved telling jokes and visiting with people. He had a special gift for storytelling that kept friends and family entertained.
One of John’s greatest joys was following his grandsons through their sporting events, from elementary school through college. He was their biggest fan and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Helen Holker, and sister, Kathy Schlief.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jayne Holker; his step-children Laura (Dan) Robbins, and Aaron (Cindy) Kotila; six grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Fran Dolly and brother Mike Holker, along with many nieces and nephews. Urn bearers are niece Tonya Dolly and oldest grandson Brandon Bromstad.
A memorial mass will be held at Saint Henry Catholic Church in Monticello, Minnesota on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM with visitation at 10:00 AM and a lunch to follow. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

Lejla H. Kelly, 84 passed away on December 16, 2025. She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark to Sonja and Carl Rasmussen.
When Lejla was 6 years old her mother married Jage Boeson and he adopted Lejla. After finishing school, she went to classes in France. She spoke 4 languages: English, French, German & Danish. She came to the United States and married Donald Resler. Two children were born: Bruno Resler in Panama City, Florida, and Dino Resler in Anchorage, Alaska. Donald was in the military service and they moved a lot. They divorced in 1966 while living in Alaska. She and James (Jim) Kelly met in Novato, California and married in Reno, Nevada. They had a son, Patrick Kelly in Novato, California. Jim was in the marines so there were few moves. Before Jim left the service they returned to Island Park (Mound), Minnesota area. Lejla then went to school to be a travel agent. She later decided that wasn’t what she wanted and became a licensed practical nurse and worked in several nursing homes & assisted living facilities in Minnesota, then in Florida and also at the jail in the Florida Keys. She enjoyed being a nurse. They spent several years in Florida and Key West.
She is survived by her son, Dino Resler, 2 grandchildren, Nikolas & Rebekka Kelly, and 2 nephews in Denmark.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Kelly, sons, Bruno Kelly & Patrick Kelly, brother, Bent Jacobson.
She will be interred at Our Lady of the Lake cemetery in Mound, Minnesota.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, Minnesota 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Paul Raymond Waataja was born August 11th, 1936 in Kingston Minnesota to Andrew and Jennie (Jacobson) Waataja. He was baptized and confirmed at the Apostolic Church in Kingston. He attended country school and graduated from Litchfield High School.
On May 3rd, 1958 he married Shirley Karie and together they made their forever home south of French Lake corners. Paul and Shirley were married 65 years until Shirley’s passing in November, 2023.
Paul commuted to Minneapolis for work and retired in 2000 after many years of service at Safetran Systems in Fridley.
He loved nature and the outdoors, feeding the birds, walking the county park trails and lots of camping through the years with his family. He like to cut and split wood for the sauna and campfires, go to threshing shows and traveling with Shirley around the country to visit friends and relatives. Most of all he was content to be at home working on projects and mowing his lawn.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers, Evert, Ernest, Donald, Ralph, Kenny, Gerald and Carl; sister, Elaine Luoma.
He is survived by daughter, Lori (Rolf Hogan) Waataja; sons, Jeffrey & John Waataja, grandson, Michael (MacKenzie) Waataja; granddaughter, Emily (Nick) Faber; great-grandchildren, Lola & Mikko Waataja; sisters, Jean Nordstrom, Marie (LeRoy) Gertgen & Carolyn Waataja; sisters-in-law, Joyce, Shirley, Jackie & Jane Waataja; and many nieces, nephews, cousins & friends. A service will be held at the Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Church at 11:00am on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 with visitation starting at 10:00 am.

Eldora “Dorie” Neumann Miller passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, her 91st birthday, at the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Howard Lake, MN.
Dorie was born on November 28, 1934, at home in southeast Winsted, MN, to Clemens and Clara (Hoffmann) Neumann. She was the youngest of 7 children.
She attended Holy Trinity Catholic Schools and graduated in 1952. She was introduced to her future husband Wilton “Will” Miller at a dance at Sherman Station by their mutual friends, Mae and Norb Stifter. Dorie and Will married on October 28, 1960, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, MN. To this union six children were born. Joe, Julie, Ann, Donna, Alan and Ruth.
Dorie was a proud farmer’s daughter, wife and Mom. She could do anything on the farm. Milk cows, drive a tractor, pick rock, pull volunteer corn, unload and stack hay. While doing all this she also attended to her huge vegetable and flower gardens, cooked hearty meals, baked a dessert every day and still had time to read a book to one of her kids, play a board game or get a game of kickball going in the neighborhood.
Dorie was a devout Catholic. She prayed the rosary, went to mass weekly, taught CCD, was a lector in church and communion minister.
In the fall of 1984, Dorie became a para-professional at the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted elementary school and finished out at the high school, retiring at the age of 82. Dorie loved and was great with all kids, from infants through teenagers.
Dorie moved off the farm in the fall of 2019 to The Lodge Assisted Living in Howard Lake. She lived there for two years and then due to a fall, she moved into the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Howard Lake in January of 2022. She took the move with grace and dignity and made Good Samaritan her home. She loved the staff and the residents and they loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Will and her son, Joe. Her parents, Clemens and Clara Neumann, her siblings and their spouses Sophia and Leo Karels, Monica and EJ Fasching, Paul and Elaine Neumann, Marcy and Eddie Olk and Kelly and Pete Hess.
She leaves to mourn her passing her children, Julie McSweeney (Terry Alvarez) of Plymouth, MN, Ann Sheahan (Randy) of De Pere, WI, Donna Brezinka (Tony Austinson) of Maple Grove, MN, Alan Miller of Howard Lake, and Ruth Oestreich (Dave) of Howard Lake.
She is further survived by her six grandchildren, Jessica Tack of Austin, TX, Lindsay McSweeney of Plymouth, MN, Caitlin Leggitt (Kyle) of Dayton, MN, Madison Canizales (John) of Maplewood, MN, Mackenzie Brezinka of Chicago, IL, and Drew Oestreich of Lakeville, MN: and her great grandchildren, River and Noah Leggitt and her brother Robert of Fargo, ND, and many nieces and nephews and bonus son, Dan Higgins.
Many people touched Dorie’s life, but especially, our family friend, Michelle Hofer. Michelle was not only Dorie’s hairstylist, but her confidant and amazing friend. Mom loved her weekly visits with Michelle and the Miller family could never thank her enough for everything.
A special thank you to the staff of Good Samaritan Society in Howard Lake and to Triniti Hospice for their outstanding care, compassion and love.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025. Visitation from 9 am to 10:45 am with mass to follow at 11 am all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly, MN.

Robert Curtis Kleve, age 64, of Howard Lake, Minnesota passed away Monday November 24th at his residence. Robert was born on June 11, 1961, in Minneapolis to Vern and Evelyn Kleve.
He grew up in Minneapolis and later Howard Lake, Minnesota. Robert spent his younger years playing baseball and hockey with his older brothers in the cities, later becoming a farm kid after the family relocated near the Crow River in Howard Lake. He graduated from Howard Lake high school in 1980. He was united in marriage to Lori Novacek, and together they were blessed with three sons: Neil, Ryan, and Kevin. Robert was a devoted father who took great pride in his family. He worked with his family at the Lake Bowl before starting his career at Dura Supreme, where he became a master builder in cabinetry.
Beyond his work, Robert found joy in riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He had many trips with his brothers and father, and later got his sons into riding. Hockey also played a large part in Robert’s life, from playing as a kid, coaching when his sons were young, and avidly watching Northstar’s games. One of his more cherished memories was of his time spent on a fishing boat in Alaska. He enjoyed telling stories of all of the things he saw and experienced during his time in Alaska.
As Robert aged, he enjoyed simpler things while spending time with his family. You could often find him poking at a fire, ready to discuss any topic you wanted. He was always willing to help cut down a tree or do some fixing on the farm if you needed help. Robert greatly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and being a silly grandpa to get a smile or laugh out of them. Most importantly he always had time listen if you needed someone to talk to.
Robert is survived by his sons, Neil (Nicole), Ryan (Melynda), and Kevin; his brothers Vern (Charity) and Dan (Julie); grandchildren Preston, Spencer, Daniel, Ashton, Sophiya, Westin, and Kendyl; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Vern Sr., mother Evelyn, brother Kyle, and niece Madeysen.
Robert’s legacy lives on in the hearts of his family and friends. Blessed be his memory. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake with visitation 1 hour prior to services at church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN 320-543-3401 www.swansonpeterson.com