Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Vivian Bernice (Stein) Wicker
Vivian Wicker was hard to convince she’d turned 99. “Am I really 99?” she asked several times on that birthday, and we’d point to two gigantic gold Mylar balloon 9s hovering above her. It would have been easier to persuade her she was 66 and that we’d incorrectly displayed the balloons upside down.

Vivian — a woman of unlimited kindness, optimism and generosity — didn’t quite reach triple-digit-balloon status and died Aug. 11 in Monticello. Those qualities live on in the hearts of the many family and friends she touched.

Vivian Bernice Stein was born April 21, 1920, in Cokato, Minn., and lived there most of her life. She graduated from Cokato High School in 1938 and began working in a dizzying assortment of businesses: a restaurant, pharmacy, bank, railroad, museum, schools (from tidying up a one-room country schoolhouse as an eighth-grader during the Depression to district secretary at Dassel-Cokato High School) and a law office. She balanced all the hard work with a willingness to help anyone who came to her with questions or problems.

She married Ralph Wicker in 1948 and they started a family, raising three children in Cokato. She also was active in the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church: baking pies for and working at the church stand at the Corn Carnival for 50 years, teaching Bible lessons in Sunday school to 4-year-olds when they least expected it, and making quilts for graduating seniors of the congregation or for those simply in need of a gesture and practical gift that warmed their bodies and souls.

Those quilting hands worked magic in other ways, as Vivian enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, made greeting cards and possessed the knack for playing the piano by ear. She also had the talent and patience for calligraphy, which turned many a simple announcement or a selection of poetry into a work of art.

Vivian is survived by her daughter, Ann McDonald of Mashpee, Mass.; son, Brian (Robin) of St. Michael; grandchildren Kristin (Tom) Maynard of Auburndale, Fla., and Matt McDonald of Hyannis, Mass.; and great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Amy Maynard of Auburndale. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; daughter Kay Wicker; son-in-law Douglas McDonald, and by three brothers and five sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. Visitation will be on Monday, August 19, 2019 from 4-8 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Cokato. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Vivian’s name to St. Benedict’s Senior Community in Monticello, where the staff cared for her with boundless love and compassion. God bless you all.

Ardath Maybelle Luikens passed away on August 9, 2019 at her home in Cokato. Funeral services will be held on August 24, 2019 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Chokio, Minnesota at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Fort Snelling on a later date.
Ardath was born on June 5, 1926 in Fargo, North Dakota to Arthur H Meland and Mabel (Backen) Meland. She grew up in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College High School in 1943. In 1946 Ardath graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College with a Bachelor of Science degree followed through the years with post-graduate education at Moorhead State University, University of Minnesota Morris, and Winona State University. Following her graduation from college Ardath taught in Santa Paula, California and then in Appleton, Minnesota.
On October 1, 1949 Ardath and Elvin Richard Luikens were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Following their marriage, they made their home on the Luikens farm in Eldorado Township, Chokio, Minnesota where they raised their three children. Along with helping on the farm Ardath continued her passion as an educator while working in the Chokio-Alberta Schools as a teacher and librarian and also as a teacher for Head Start.
In 2013, after 64 years on the Luikens farm, Ardath moved to Cokato, Minnesota to be closer to her children and to open the opportunity for her grandson and his wife to continue the Luikens family farm legacy with the transition to organic farming.
Ardath was an active member of her church family at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Chokio and in the community. She was always willing to volunteer her services and offer support wherever it was needed. She was involved in 4-H, church groups, Luther League, the Historical Society, and served as an election poll worker as well as volunteering with other community service organizations.
Ardath was a devoted and proud mother and grandmother. She was always encouraging education and supportive of new adventures. Ardath never came for a visit empty-handed; her arms were always full of food and treats for all and arts and crafts or games for the children. As a grandmother Ardath never missed a milestone event and was there for every baptism, confirmation, graduation, and wedding. To the delight of her grandchildren she never missed a Grandparents Day at school. In addition to her passion for education and family Ardath enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening and sewing.
Ardath is survived by her children, Barbara (Richard Benson) Luikens, Arlys (Dwight) Redden and Nancy Joanis, grandchildren Alexander (Alena) Benson, Nicholas Benson, Katherine (Tommy) McCauley, Jennifer Redden, Beth (Bradly) Harrison, and Derek (Carrie) Redden, great-grandchildren Hendrik Benson, Eliza McCauley, Dominic Redden, Makayla Rauer, Ailee Harrison, Beckham Harrison, Dorothy Redden and Elvin Redden, and sister Marlys Johnson. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Elvin, and son-in-law William Joanis .
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Land Stewardship Project, 821 East 35th Street, #200, Minneapolis, MN 55407 in honor of Ardath’s commitment to the stewardship of sustainable farming practices.

Robert Andrew Weber passed away August 4,2019 at Abbott Hospital at the age of 64.
Robert Andrew Weber was born February 28, 1955 in Cokato, Mn. The son of Andrew and Irene (Weseman) Weber.
He was baptized April 3, 1955 and confirmed May 3,1970 at St. James Church in Howard Lake, Mn.
He graduated from Dassel Cokato high school in 1973.
Robert helped farm the family farm , he worked for Hilgers trucking, driving milk truck to Bongards Creamery. He worked for Dick Sawatzke and Myron Boll Farming and driving truck.
Robert enjoyed fishing and hunting, being outdoors, watching Twins baseball games and playing solitaire on his computer.
Robert is survived by his children: Holly Weber, Robert Guy Weber, Amanda (Michael) Cox, Daniel Weber, Jessica (Luke) Vorderbruggen, Steven and Sam Weber, and step-son Tom Mchugh.
Grandchildren: Jaidyn, Makenzie, Adrian, Hannan, Audrina, Carter, Michael, Malachi, Carson and step-grandson Shawn.
Sisters: Donna (Ken) Fitchwell, Doris Jakes, brother Byron (Mary) Churchill. 15 nieces and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Irene Weber, brother Kenneth Churchill, sister-in-law Cheryl Churchill, brother in-law Alvin Jakes.
Paternal grandparents, Henry and Marie Weber. Maternal grandparents, Louis and Marie Weseman.

Memorial Service: 11 AM Saturday August 17, 2019 at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake.
Visitation: Begins 1 hour prior to service at church.

A private interment will take place at a later date.

Kathryn Peterson of Howard Lake, passed away at home on August 1, 2019.
Memorial Service: 5 PM Thursday, August 8, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake.
Visitation: Begins at 3 PM on Thursday at the Church.

On Thursday, August 1, 2019 Kathy Peterson, loving wife, mother and grandmother traded her earthly tent for a heavenly mansion. Her family was at her side and witnessed her enter the kingdom of God with a big smile on her face. Kathy passed away 18 days shy of her 64th birthday after a long battle with breast cancer.

Kathy was born on August 19, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois to Paul and Tillie Pakenham. She was baptized in Chicago Illinois. Kathy had her first communion on April 20, 1963 and later was confirmed at St. Joseph Church in Hopkins, MN. Kathy graduated from Hopkins Eisenhower High School in 1973.

Kathy loved working with numbers and held various accounting positions over the years. Her final employer was Michael Foods in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Where she worked as a credit analyst. The management and her co-workers treated her so kindly during her time there. She always said this was the best job she ever had.

Kathy and Tom met in February 1979 and were married on November 7, 1980 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hopkins, MN. Over the years Kathy helped Tom in various family owned businesses which included honey bees, exotic birds and real estate.

Kathy and Tom were blessed with four children, David, Kristina, Jacob, and Kaitlyn. Family was very important to Kathy and she loved every aspect of motherhood. Being and grandma was the ultimate joy for Kathy. David, his wife Ailyn and their 4 children lived with Tom and Kathy for the past four years with Ailyn taking care of the house and meal preparation. Kathy wanted to continue to work at Michael Foods and this extra help from Ailyn allowed Kathy to conserve her strength.

Kathy was active in all aspects of church life at St John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Her deep faith in Christ helped her face her illness with dignity and peace. Kathy’s love of the Lord helped us all through the difficult times.

Kathy is survived by her loving family: husband Tom and their children, David (Aylin), Kristina (Craig fiancé), Jacob, Kaitlyn and grandchildren, Julianna, Christopher, Ellisa, and Emily. Also survived by siblings: Mary (Dan) Egan, Paul Pakenham, Patrick Pakinham and Mike Pakenham. Also in-laws: Carol Gedde, Paul (Eileen) Peterson, Jim (Sandra) Peterson, as well as other relatives and friends.

Kathy was preceded in death by mother Tillie Pakenham, father Paul Pakenham, Mother-in-law Mildred Peterson and father-in-law Arnold Peterson and other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A hot dish supper will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family will direct memorials to an orphanage in Haiti.

Adele Harriet (Hill) Breault of Howard Lake passed away Aug 2, 2019 after a burst of defiant orneriness that had been hidden for 88 years, 1 month and 25 days. Her gentle soul was born to this earth on June 8th 1931 to Murl E and Sylvia (Hubbard) Hill in Harvey, Illinois. Her father’s job brought them to Sioux Falls, SD and then to Minneapolis where she thrived in spite of her petite stature. She was a tomboy at heart, loving the out doors and all sports. Her “skinny legs” would take her climbing trees, rounding baseball diamonds and perfecting figure eights on the ice rink. Adele loved to fish with her father, her hero, for panfish. Her favorite lake was Lac Courte Orielles (Lake Couderay) in Wisconsin. She would speak often of her love for their fishing outings but never wanting to eat their catch. ISH!
Adele walked everywhere as a child and young adult. There was no reason to obtain a driver’s license. That would come much much later. Walking around her Lake Harriet neighborhood was always a pleasure to her. Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun were always part of her routes as well. The news of the Lake Calhoun name change was met with a furrowed brow and a flat tire sound (pfftt) from Adele. “That was unnecessary but whatever they want to do” was her answer to that. Always diplomatic and understanding.
Adele was baptized in her faith at Joyce Methodist Church (now the Uptown Methodist Church) in Minneapolis at age 15. Although she did not stay in the Methodist Church, her faith followed her. She was patient, kind, generous, forgiving, humble, understanding and encouraging, The living example of 1st Corinthians 13:1.
Adele graduated from West High School in Minneapolis in 1950. Her exemplary work ethic started early with employment at 5th Northwestern Bank in Minneapolis during her Senior year. She continued working in the banking industry after joining her love in San Diego, Ca while he was stationed there in the Navy. Adele married DuWayne Breault at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in San Diego on April 30th 1955. They made their home in Lemon Grove during his service and moved back to Minneapolis after his honorable discharge.
They continued to love, travel and work together for 53 years. Star Bowling and Golf was the result of their love of those sports. Their hobbies became their livelihood affording them the ability to be their own bosses, enjoy their 40 acres of beauty in Howard Lake and “wintering” for 20 years in their beloved San Diego.
Adele loved to garden. She and DuWayne had a HUGE garden for many years. She loved coffee and conversation, cribbage and rummy, bowling and golf…especially golf! She loved a good BLT and enjoyed Peanut M & M’s like no other. She loved dogs and had zero time for cats. The poodle pups, Buck and Josie, were stuck to her like glue after DuWayne passed away. They were very special to her and she doted on them. They listened to only Adele.
Adele never met a stranger. She opened her arms, heart and home to all. She housed strays, fed the hungry, gave up her chair for the weary, lent an ear to the distressed, provided a shoulder to cry on, was an enduring and trusting sidekick for her adventurous husband and despised swearing! Yet, every once in a while, when you least expected it-she would crack a joke, provide a profound anecdote, tease you with a wink and a smile and occasionally slip in a profanity. When THAT happened, you sat up and paid attention!
Adele was also quite the artist. She painted several pieces when she was younger but put that aside to work with Dude and raise her children. She again picked up the paint brush while enjoying her time with her friends at Cokato Manor Senior Day Care. Her latest 5 paintings will be treasured by her grandchildren.
Adele is survived by two daughters; Kim Barth of Buffalo and her children, Marie Peterson of Howard Lake and Jeremy Peterson and Wife Michelle of Howard Lake. Kathy Breault of Howard Lake and her children Cody Barth and wife Beth of Cokato, Patrick Barth, Taylor Barth and bonus grandson Brennan Barth all of Howard Lake. She is further survived by her Great Grandchildren; Austin, Blake, Caleb, Ethan, Isabelle, Lexi, Liam and Vayda. Special partner in crime – David Adickes, Sister Flora Lee Farrier, Brother in Law Robert (Mary) Breault, Sister in Law Mary (Erick) Erickson, Nieces; Reenan Breault, Sharon Brown, Cindy (Tony) Green, Julie (Ken) Wills and Laurie Garnett. Nephews; Larry Hill, Craig Hill and David Nessel. Forever son in law Chris Barth and wife Deanna. Many great nieces and nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband’s parents Noray (LaVenture) and Milton Bistodeau, husband DuWayne, her siblings; Murl P (Bud), Eugene and wife Lois, Delores and husband Jerry Kopvieler, Brother in Law Irving Nessel, Nephew Gene Hill, Niece Laurie Kopvieler, Niece in Law Kong Hill and bonus granddaughter Shavon Barth.

Adele struggled with declining health and dementia over the last 10 plus years. She never lost her humor, kindness and loving demeanor even while her strength and cognitive functions diminished. While her last days were fraught with one challenge after another and a surprising diagnosis that led to a painful last week, we are grateful to know that she is with her Savior, her love and restored. She is again the tan, athletic, tomboy with skinny legs. Running, climbing, skating, fishing, hitting the links, throwing strikes at the lanes, gardening, painting and loving us from her Heavenly Home.