Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Ruby Sand of Cokato, Passed away at Cokato Manor on March 18, 2020. A memorial service will take place at a later date.

Ruby Delilah Viola Peterson was born in a log house on October 31, 1923 to Edwin and Cornelia Peterson near Rice Lake, Minnesota. Until she applied for a passport in 1973 and needed a copy of her birth certificate she thought her birthday was on October 30th. Surprise! Ruby graduated from Cokato High School in 1941 and from St. Cloud State Teacher’s College in 1943 with a 2-year teaching certificate. She taught for several years, both before and after getting married, at Howard Lake Schools. After starting a family she also worked in the school cafeteria for many years with her cousins Mae Forsman and Queenie Sieg. Some of the recipes they used are still made at family gatherings today.

Ruby met Milton Sand at a hi-league social at Stockholm Lutheran Church and married him on June 12, 1948 at the age of 24. They started their family in Rice Lake and in 1960 moved to Cokato with their three children. In 1989 Ruby decided it was time to scale down their living space so they sold their home on Borg Road and moved into the Cokato Apartments across from the post office. She lived there with Milton until he moved into the nursing home in 1991 and continued living there on her own until 2016. She moved into Brookridge Assisted Living in May at the ripe age of 92 and moved into Cokato Manor a year and a half later where she continued to delight the staff and other residents with her sweet and smiling nature.

Throughout her life Ruby enjoyed traveling with her friends and family. Prior to meeting Milton, Ruby took a three-week bus trip with her cousin Gloria Bednar and Gloria’s cousin Fern Peterson out to the West coast to visit relatives. She also took a train trip with her cousin Lyla Munson out to New York to visit their boyfriends who were on leave from the war (not Milton!). After marrying Milton they took many trips together, often with her cousins Mae and Norman Forsman.

Ruby also loved spending time with her family at home. Over the years she hosted many of her extended family’s holiday and birthday gatherings. After her grandchildren were born, Ruby watched them before they were old enough to go to school and her home served as a base for them and their friends in Cokato until they went off to college. Ruby enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, watching Lawrence Welk and Jeopardy, coffee with the ladies at the apartment, walking with her friend Vivien Wicker, baking, and gardening. But Ruby’s favorite thing to do was watch the birds and flowers, look out over the lake, and spend time with the dog at her daughter Linnea’s house in the country. The chair she always sat in will forever be known as “Ruby’s Chair” to those she left behind.

Ruby is survived by her daughter, Linnea (Ron) Holm of South Haven; grandchildren Melissa (Will) Holm of Buffalo, and Michael (Christy) Holm of Big Lake; great-grandchild Soren Holm of Big Lake; and sister-in-law Elaine Peterson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton; son John Sand, and daughter Judi (Craig) Simon; and by brothers Laurel Peterson and Lloyd Peterson.

Norman Delbert Stewart
age 98, of Cokato passed away Friday, March 13, 2020 at Lakeside Care Center in Dassel, Minnesota. Norman was born November 17, 1921 in Kerkhoven, Minnesota to James and Ruth (Nichols) Stewart. He spent his life as a farmer, first in Stanley, Wisconsin where he was united in marriage to Lucy Wiethoff on December 8, 1943 and later in Cokato, Minnesota.
While in school, Norman was a member of FFA, and later in Cokato a member of the Lions Club, Holiday Ramblers Club and an active member of the Methodist Church in Howard Lake until it closed. He was Cokato Co-op president in1970. He was forced from milking in 1988 when the barn burned, he then raised young stock for a short period of time. When his wife passed from the Lakeview Ranch in 2009 he was trained in as a volunteer at the home. In 2005, he was an honored guest at the Minnesota State Fair. Norman was a member of the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers Association and in 2011 received the badge for Most Improved Sanctioned Horseshoe League Player.
Preceded in death by his parents, brother, Orville and sister in-law, Marion, sister June Hillmyer and brother in-law, Bud Hillmyer
Survived by his Son, Bob Stewart, Daughter, Ruth (Willard) Block, granddaughters, Michele (Shawn) McLane, Angie Fleece, Ronda Young, and Cassandra (Cory) Boe, 5 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, nephews, Jim (Irene) Stewart, Monty (Lynn) Hillmyer, and Robin (Char) Hillmyer, great nephews and nieces, and other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at the Dassel Covenant Church. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 17 from 5-7 PM and continue 1 hour prior to services on Wednesday at the Church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, Minnesota, www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534

Marilynn L.(Ring) Martin at the age of 93, passed away peacefully in the presence of loved
ones, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Marilynn was born on April 26, 1926 in Cokato, Minnesota to
Hilma Christine Erickson and Carl August Ring, two hardworking parents of Swedish descent.
Her parents raised Marilynn and her two older brothers, Courtney and Grant in a Christian
home. They attended Elim Mission Church. Marilynn’s steadfast faith in her Lord Jesus Christ
was rooted both in her church and in her parents’ example.
As a child Marilynn was expected to work hard helping her mother around the house, but she
could also let her hair down. Her diary revealed a very active social life with her childhood
friends. She recalled playing with her dog, Jep, having picnics in “Dead Man’s Woods,” and
adventures with friends on their farms. As a youth, Marilynn worked seasonally at the corn
canning factory and also at the city hospital, where she said she was sometimes the only staff
present through the night.
Marilynn graduated salutatorian from Cokato high school, and then left her hometown to study
at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree and
began work as a medical technologist at Fairview Hospital, where she set a hospital record by
working there over fifty years. She often marveled at the changes in medical technology over
the decades, recalling the days when they waited for an injected rabbit to die as a test for
pregnancy.
Marilynn attended First Covenant Church and sang in its choir, where she met her husband,
Lester L. Martin. They had three daughters, Ann, Elaine, and Carolyn. She hosted many
luncheons, coffee parties, and dinners for family and friends from church, work, the
neighborhood, Cokato. Marilynn was loyal and compassionate, and her friends were all very
dear to her.
In her mid-forties as a single mother after a divorce, Marilynn continued to work hard at home
and part time at the hospital. She was very active in Minnetonka Community Church. As her
children left the nest, she moved to Greenbrier condominiums in Minnetonka. Her grandkids
and kids remember her radiance and joy in those days they came to play tennis and swim at
her condominium’s pool, and her fun-loving spirit the nights her brother and sister in law and
others played Rook cards around the table. How she hated losing! Her dessert would soften
the blow and complete the evening. She attended Wooddale Church during those years,
making new dear friends, and praying faithfully for the members and for their mission outreach.
Marilynn loved music. She sang in choirs and could harmonize like none other. She played tuba
in the high school band because “they needed one.” She loved listening to her brother, Grant,
play jazz on the piano when he’d come home from college. Later, she attended many MN
orchestra concerts and St. Olaf Christmas festivals. In her last years at Jones Harrison
Residence, she surprised the family by calling out for the pop song, “Five foot two, eyes of
blue” whenever the pianist asked for requests.
Even in her last decade, Marilynn had a youthful glow, enjoying the company of her late-in-life
special friend, Norris Halver. She brightened both Jones Harrison and Northfield Retirement
Community’s staff members with her smile and kind words. She was heartbroken when her
daughter, Ann, died in 2015 after a seven year battle with cancer. Marilynn cared deeply about
the well being of her family, and wanted nothing more than for them to be safe, secure and at
peace with God. She spent countless hours in prayer, entrusting them to her Maker. Now she
rests in her Savior’s arms, having lived a life of faith, hope and love.
Marilynn was preceded in death by her parents, Hilma Christine (Erickson) and Carl August
Ring; her brothers, Courtney and Grant; her sister (who died shortly after birth) Elaine; her
daughter, Ann (Robert) Schultz. She is survived by her daughters Elaine (Scott) Nesbit of
Northfield, MN and Carolyn Bizien of Rochester, MN; grandchildren Mark Hibbard, Laura
Thomas, Kate (Eric Emmons) Nesbit, Stina Nesbit, Simon (April) Bizien, Celia Bizien, and
Mallory Bizien; and great grandchildren Zahra and Lila Thomas, Violet Hibbard, and Violeta
Bizien.

A funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, March 13, 2020 with visitation 1 hour prior to services at Wooddale Church (6630 Shady Oak Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344). Internment will follow lunch at the Cokato City Cemetery at 3:00 PM. Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services is privileged to be of service.

Alvina Marie Kotila age 81, of Litchfield, MN passed away on March 2, 2020, at the St. Cloud Hospital. She was born January 15, 1939, in Litchfield, MN at home. Alvina was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Litchfield, MN. She grew up on a farm near Litchfield and Grove City, and attended country school District 38 Grove City, and Grove City High School. She married Donald Kotila, Sr. on March 22, 1958, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Litchfield.
Alvina was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN (since 1969) where she taught Sunday school for 16 years. Alvina also served as a Cub scout den leader for 6 years. Alvina retired in 2004 after working for 25 years at Wright County Social Services.
Alvina lived in the Cokato area from 1960 until moving to Meeker Manor in Litchfield in 2015. Her favorite pastimes were gardening, bowling, camping, fishing, making quilts, cooking, baking, and collecting cookbooks and recipes. Alvina loved to color and created a number of beautiful craft projects. She was also a puzzle solver and loved to play Scrabble and cribbage.
Alvina is survived by brother Richard (Kathy) Reinke; sister-in-law Minda Reinke, both from Darwin. She is also survived by sons Donald Jr. (Colleen) Kotila, Litchfield; Doug (Carmen) Kotila, Dassel; Dwane (Lisa) Kotila, Dassel; Dwight (Toni McHale) Kotila, Hugo; 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and her friends at Meeker Manor.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Kotila Sr., parents Alfred and Wilma Reinke, brother Alvin Reinke, and great grandson Ashtan Suess.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 7, 2020 with visitation 1 hour prior to service at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401

Marvin Gilman Balgaard, 88, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2020 at the Garden House Memory Care Assisted Living in Winsted, Minnesota.

Marvin was born on October 2, 1931 at home in Evansville, Minnesota to Melvin and Gladys (Bergan) Balgaard. He was the oldest of eight children: six boys and two girls. He spent his early years on the family farm and graduated from Evansville High School in 1949 at age 17.

Marvin’s love for Jesus shown in the way he lived his life with a humble heart and servant feet. He was baptized November 29, 1931, and confirmed June 9, 1946, both at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Evansville, Minnesota. He began attending St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake in 1957 and became a member in 1959. Prior to the computer age, he served as their financial secretary for 28 years and head usher for 24 – a job he “did by the book” – including lighting the candles in the “proper” order. He straightened pews, cleaned the brass candle sticks, served on the scholarship board, made sandwiches, and helped out wherever he was needed.

He was inducted into the Army on October 14, 1952 and proudly served his country during the Korean War. While in the Army, he earned a National Defense Medal, United Service Medal, and a Korean Service Ribbon. He was honorably discharged on October 14, 1954.

Marvin moved to Waverly, Minnesota in 1956 to help out on the George and Jean Marketon farm. He became a lifelong family friend and part of their family as he was like an uncle to the kids LuJean, Kenny, Virginia and Bob. Marvin and Bob have always shared a special bond and Bob was at Marvin’s side when he passed away. Marvin always considered himself a farmer and enjoyed fieldwork and running the tractor so much that he would take a week off work for plowing.

Around 1956, Marvin went to work full time at Merchants Refrigeration, a cold storage facility in Hopkins, Minnesota, where he was fondly known as “Shorty” to his co-workers. His family especially enjoyed the frozen foods and Fanny Farmer candy he would bring home. He prided himself on never having called in sick or having an unplanned day off. He received special merit in 1990 for having 30 years without a time loss. At some point Merchants was purchased by Christian Salveson and upon retiring on May 28, 1992 Marvin received a certificate in grateful appreciation for 35 years of faithful and dedicated service.
Thought to be a confirmed bachelor, he found and married the love of his life, Audrey Sawatzke, on October 25, 1985, in Waverly Minnesota. With the two little words, “I do,” he became a husband, stepdad, father-in-law and grandpa to 12. By the time of his passing, the family grew to include 30 grandkids and 41 greats with his namesake Marvin McNeil due the day of his funeral. His grandchildren rate him a 10/10, and say he gave the world’s most all-encompassing hugs. Ever the gentleman, he taught them by example some of the best lessons, including how to show up, laugh, be patient, and love unconditionally. He dearly loved his family and friends and was always up for a game of cards, dice, a can of Coke, an episode of “Bold and the Beautiful,” and to watch the trains go by.

Marvin and Audrey made their home on Little Waverly Lake, and later moved to Howard Lake. They also spent 18 winters in Tucson, Arizona. Marvin’s battle with Alzheimer’s began in 2013, and he moved to the Garden House on May 2, 2017. Over the years, this became his home where he was loved and treated like family by the staff.

Marvin’s many collections included cars, trucks, tractors, Garfield, Avon beer steins, matchbooks, whiskey bottles, hats, and history books. He supported several charities, including The Alzheimer’s Association, VFW, Cancer Society, Disabled Vets and others. He volunteered at the Good Samaritan Society where he could be found serving ice cream or popcorn, and for Meals on Wheels

He is survived by step-children Joan (Mel) Laurence of Mound, Dan (Dawn) Sawatzke of Waverly, Chris (Rich) Alverson of Osakis, Doug (Jenell) Sawatzke of Annandale, Dale (Laura) Sawatzke of Maple Lake, JoEllen (Joel) Fasching of Winsted, Carol (Dan) Tongen of Annandale, and step daughter-in-law Jan (Doug) Koelfgen of Albertville; grandchildren Katy Laurence, Jessica (Erich) Axmacher, John (Amber) Laurence, Julie (Joe) Jenkins, Carrie (Jake) Thomason, Tammy Sawatzke, Eric (Erica) Sawatzke, Andy (Nicolle) Sawatzke, Joe (Beth) Sawatzke, Jeanne (Justin) Hertzog, Abby (Brad) Ficker, Mindi (Preston) Nash, Brittany (Nick) Laven, Robbie (Britta) Alverson, Michelle (Andrew) Franz, Diana Alverson, Bobbi Jo Alverson, William Alverson, Kelly (Adam) Burns, Turner (Chelsey) Sawatzke, Kristal (Evan) Witt, Jennifer (Kris) Loebertmann, Bob (Crystal) Sawatzke, Blair (Lynn) Derry, Michael Sawatzke, Keith Fasching, Audrianna (Andrew) McNeil, Brady Tongen, Peyton Tongen, and Paige (Troy) Lehto; and great grandchildren Kylie and Griffin Byun; Scarlett, Madeline and Grayson Axmacher; Eric Cantrell; Logan Laurence; Ivy and Macy Jenkins; Parker Thomason; Rayna, Gianna, and Grady Anderson; Emma Rose Sawatzke; Kayden and Addison Sawatzke; Lachlynn and Lennon Sawatzke; Bennett Hertzog; Hallie Ficker; Pason, Nora, Tytus, and Jakin Nash; Toby, Lucy, Hadley, and Molly Jo Laven; Marlow and Sawyer Alverson; Alexis, Jaxon, and Hazel Sawatzke; Ruby Witt; Ray and Jacob Loebertmann; Morgan and Max Sawatzke; and Ivan, Owen, and Beau Derry.

He is further survived by sister Beverly (Bob) Bonkoski of Lakeville, brother Ronald Balgaard of Alexandria, sister-in-law JoAnn Balgaard of Olivia; and friends who are family: LuJean (Larry) Starke of Nicollet, Kenny (Colleen) Marketon of Howard Lake Bob (Annette) Marketon of Howard Lake and Virginia (Ken) Wandersee of Buffalo.

Marvin was preceded in death by his beloved wife Audrey in 2016; stepson Richard Sawatzke; father Melvin Balgaard; mother Gladys Balgaard; brothers Roger, Dennis, Truman, and Luverne Balgaard; sister Elvina Schrupp; and friends George and Jean Marketon.

Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association or the VFW

A funeral service will be Friday, March 6 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. There will be visitation at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m., prior to the service. Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services is handling the arrangements; www.swansonpeterson.com.