Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Gruenhagen, Russell Kenneth
age 65, of Howard Lake passed away on October 28, 2019. He was born July 26, 1954 in Cokato, MN to Kenneth and Helen (Uecker) Gruenhagen. He resided in Howard Lake nearly his entire life, being baptized and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church and graduating from Howard Lake High School in 1972. Russell enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survived by his siblings, Noreen (Don) Horsch, Garlen Gruenhagen, and Jane (Tom) Boesen, along with many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 16, 2019 with visitation 1 hour prior to services at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Howard Lake, MN 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com

Nels Mark Kotila, 43, of Cokato, MN was called suddenly to his Heavenly home on November 1, 2019, while he was in the field doing the work he loved.

Nels was born in Litchfield, MN, to Mark and Joan Kotila on December 29, 1975. He grew up on the family farm north of Cokato and lived within half a mile of the farm his whole life except for a short time in town. Nels graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1994.

Growing up, Nels helped his dad milking cows and growing crops on their farm. He enjoyed many hours working and learning alongside his dad in the shop and in their excavating business. He was very mechanically gifted, and was capable of fixing most things.

Nels had a great enthusiasm for life. He had many hobbies which included working on heavy equipment, tinkering in the shop with his brothers and dad, ice fishing, snowmobiling, camping, motorcycle trips, visiting and cooking. Nels always enjoyed being with family and friends, but most important to him was his childlike faith.

Nels and Mary were wed on August 16, 2014. They were married for five short, blissful years, and lived life to the fullest. They were blessed with two daughters and a son.

His big smile and kind, gentle ways will forever be remembered.

Nels is survived by his wife, Mary (Wittenberg, Mattila), children Kevin (Savannah) Mattila, Allison (Hunter) Josephson, Hanna and Gretchen Mattila, Louise, Kate, and Russell Kotila; grandchildren Wynn & Lucy Mattila and Gus Josephson. Mother, Joan Kotila, Siblings Annika (Samuel) Mattila, Mitchell (Eetta), Bridget (Jeffrey) Ylitalo, Jack (Leah), Natasha (Greg) Jurvakainen, Colin (Kayla), Julie (Patrick) Lake, Ashley (Nathan) Lake, Tatiana (Eric) Wittenberg, Jordan (fiancé Linda Haataja), Taylor (Josh) Wuollet, Shauna (Kyle) Davison. Father and mother-in-law Paul and Sue Wittenberg, sisters and brothers-in-law, many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Nels is preceded in death by his dad Mark Kotila, Grandparents Nels and Ardyce Kotila, and Paul and Millie Raisanen.

A funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church. Visitation will take place at the church from 4-8 PM with 7 PM prayer on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 and continue 1 hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com

David Sale passed away at Waconia Ridgeview Medical Center on October 24. 2019.
Funeral Service: 2 PM Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake.
Visitation: Begins at church on Tuesday at 12:30 PM
Interment: Church Cemetery
David John Sale was born in Hennepin County, Minnesota on May 2, 1942. He was baptized at St. James Lutheran Church and grew up in Howard Lake, Minnesota. David attended St. James Lutheran School. He worked as a farm hand on the Streich farm then went to work setting cemetery markers for Gilmer Monument in Howard Lake. When Gilmer went out of business David set for Twin City Monument Company until his retirement.
On March 25, 1972 David married Maryetta Tuchtenhagen, in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. The family made their home in Howard Lake, Minnesota. David enjoyed Fishing and spearing, hunting, doing pull tabs, scratch offs, and shaking dice. He was a real people person and could tell a good story. He enjoyed driving around the country side and “taking short cuts”. David was a member of the Howard Lake Sportsman’s Club.
David passed away on October 24, 2019 at Waconia Ridgeview Medical Center. He had reached the age of 77 years, 5 months and 22 days.
Survivors include children: Scott Sale, Steve (Kelly) Sale, Sara (Ron) Cooper, Carol Morgen, Mike (Doris) Sale, Connie Yungk, Roger (Cindy) Heuer, Rick (Sarah) Heuer, Deborah Nolan.
Grand Children: Whitney Sale, Tyler (Kaitlynn) Sale, Sabrina Sale, Devin Sale, Logan Sale, Jaxon Sale, Courtney (Travis) Duxbury, Carl (Ellie) Heuer, Alexandra (Jason) Latzke, Peter (Heather) Heuer, Celeste Heuer, Rachel Heuer, Sophia Heuer, Paul Heuer, James (Cassie) Larson, Sarah (Jason) Newbury, Stephanie (Joe) Speikers, Conrad Yungk
Eythan Yungk, Danna (Sean) Steffen, Jason Heck, Chad Lange, Heather (Josh) Duerksen.
Great grand children: Evangeline Sale, Kyler Sale, Thomas Schave, Maren Duxbury, Myla Duxbury, Lucy Heuer, Avery Larson, Caleb Larson, Gabe Larson, Starson Newborg, Lucas Newborg, Joey Newborg, Isaac Newborg Serena Speikers, Ryan Lange, Rhett Lange, Reed Lange, Austin Brockberg, Taylor Mudek, Tyler Mudek, Jessica Mudek.
David was preceded in death by: Loving wife Maryetta Sale, grandson Derek Nolan, great granddaughter Rosalie Heuer, Mother Bernadette Stoll, Sister Rosalie Willams, brother Fred Stoll, uncle Fred Kund.

Funeral Service: 2 PM Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake
Visitation: begins at 12:30 on Tuesday at Church
Interment: St. James Lutheran Cemetery

Mahlstedt, Sandy Kay
age 66, of Robbinsdale passed away on October 23, 2019. She was born July 17, 1953 in Cokato, MN to Walter and Ethel (Splettstoeszer) Mahlstedt. She grew up in Howard Lake, MN, was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Montrose, confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, and graduated from Howard Lake High School. For 44 years Sandy worked in accounting for Honeywell.
She enjoyed her dog, RaeJae, spending time with her family and friends, traveling, going to concerts and eating out.
Preceded in death by her parents, and an infant brother, Wayne Mahlstedt.
Sandy is survived by her siblings, Barbara (Lowell) Mikkelson, Larry (Vivian) Mahlstedt, and Kevin Mahlstedt, nieces and nephews, Kimberly Sipprell, Shannon (Mike) Cox, Kristy (John) Cardinal, Evan (Kristin) Mahlstedt, Brianne (Matt) Nowak, Brent (Amanda) Mahlstedt, and Melissa Mahlstedt, great nieces and nephews, Alex Sipprell, Cameron Sipprell, Danica Cox, Ryan Cardinal, Lauren Cardinal, Lennie Nowak, Hailey Hoskins, and Devin Hoskins, along with many other family and friends.
A funeral service, with visitation 1 hour prior, will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 28, 2019 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401

Lloyd LeRoy Salmela, was born in Kingston, Minnesota on November 18, 1927 to Albert and Elina (Myllykangas) Salmela. As a young boy the family moved to a farm North of Cokato. He attended School through eighth grade at the Dewey School. He then helped his parents on the family farm until being drafted into the US Army in December of 1950.
While in the army, Lloyd served with the occupation forces in Germany. Following this he served as a Finnish interpreter in the United States. In November of 1952 he was discharged.
Returning home Lloyd worked on the family farm until 1968. After this he was employed in Cokato until retiring in 1990.
Lloyd passed away at Cokato Manor on October 21, 2019. He had reached the age of 91 years, 11 months and 3 days.
Survivors include his nephews: David Dokken of Pottsville, Arkansas, and Andrew Dokken of Littleton, Colorado. Several uncles, aunts and cousins also survive.
Lloyd was preceded in death by: his parents Albert and Elina, brother Gerald, sister Darlene Dokken, brother in law Ralph Dokken. And sister Sandra.

Funeral Service: 11 AM Thursday, October 24, 2019 at First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Dassel, Minnesota.
Visitation: 1 hr. prior to service at church
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery