Swanson Peterson Funeral Home

Garlen Michael Gruenhagen was born at Hutchinson, Minnesota on June 15, 1949 to Kenneth and Helen (Uecker) Gruenhagen. He grew up in Howard Lake, Minnesota, was baptized and confirmed and attended school at St. James Lutheran. He graduated from Howard Lake High school in 1967.
After high school Garlen joined the United States Marine Corp. He spent part of his tour of duty in Viet Nam, and is a recipient of the Purple Heart medal.
Following his time in the service Garlen came home and worked first at Advanced Machine in Minneapolis then took a job as a letter carrier for the United States Post office.
On September 20, 1986 Garlen married Kim Trittabaugh, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in New Germany. They lived in Howard Lake prior to moving to Clear Lake in 1989. Kim passed away on May 6, 2013.
Garlen enjoyed the outdoors; hunting, fishing, 4 wheeling, and spending time at his cabin. He was a member of the Sauk Rapids VFW, and the American Rifle Association.
Garlen passed away in St. Cloud Minnesota at the Veterans Administration Health Care Facility on July 4, 2020. He had reached the age of 71 years, and 19 days. Survivors include; Sisters Noreen (Donnie) Horsch, Jane (Tom) Boeson, Cousin Gerald (Budda) and Connie Gruenhagen, uncle Ron (Joyce) Uecker, aunt Ruth Uecker, many cousins, nieces, nephews other family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by: his wife Kim, Brother Russell and parents Kenny and Helen.

Memorial Service: 11 AM, Saturday 7/18/2020, at St. James Lutheran Church.
Visiation: 1 hr. prior to service
Honorary gun salute, flag presentation and luncheon following service at the Howard Lake Legion.
Interment: Ft. Ripley Cemetery, Little Falls, Minnesota

Glen E. Pudlitzke, age 88, passed away at his home on May 15, 2020 of natural causes. He was born in Cokato, MN on November 7, 1931 along with his twin brother Gay, to Reuben and Gladys (Henneman) Pudlitzke. In 1956 he married Caroline Ryti and raised 3 children Gale, Alan and Gene until Caroline’s death in 1978. He married Gayle Lutter in 1979 until she passed away in 2005.

Glen attended Howard Lake Public Schools graduating in 1949. After graduating he and his brothers joined the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed at Scofield Army Base in Oahu, Hawaii with stops at bases in South Korea, San Diego and Washington. He returned to Howard Lake area working as a gravel pit operator, gas station owner, auto mechanic before working many years in Public Works for the City of Howard Lake.

Glen was a life-long member of Walker Methodist Church. He was a proud member of the Howard Lake Fire Department. As well as, a member of Howard Lake Masonic Lodge and American Legion.

Glen enjoyed the outdoors, including camping and fishing. He especially enjoyed the annual trip to Lake of the Woods, with his fishing buddies in their converted school bus. As soon as they departed wives and kids headed to the Bowling Alley for dinner and begin their own week of fun. Another passion was reading maps and doing armchair traveling, either in planning or dreaming of trips. Rarely did a car ride ever go straight from start to destination, rather it involved side roads and alternative routes. Sometimes getting lost, but never admitting it.

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Gladys; brother Dale; wives Caroline and Gayle and son Alan. He is survived by his brother Gay (Barb), daughter Gale, son Gene (Cindy), grandchildren Jennifer and Spencer, along with nieces and nephews.

A service will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 11, 2020 with visitation 1 hour prior to service at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Howard Lake, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-543-3401

Ronald Nicholas Miller of Howard Lake Passed away on March 28, 2020 at his home.
Ronald Nicholas Miller was born on July 10, 1951, in Richmond, MN to Paul and Leona (Thiesen) Miller. He was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church of Eden Valley, MN. Ron grew up in Eden Valley, MN and graduated from Eden Valley-Watkins High School in 1969. After high school, Ron joined the United States Air Force. He served from 1969-1973 and spent a year in Ubon, Thailand. On July 17, 1971, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Jean Marie Booth, at the Church of Saint Anthony in Watkins, MN. Following his time in the Air Force, Ron took a job with the U.S. Postal Service. He worked in Minneapolis, Golden Valley, and Buffalo before becoming Postmaster of Howard Lake in 1981, until his retirement on March 31, 2005.

Ron was a loving and dedicated Husband, Father, and Grandfather who generously gave his time and energy to support his family and loved ones. He had a very kind heart and continuously put others before himself. Ron’s sense of humor kept his family and friends amused. He brought joy to all who knew him. It is hard to describe such an incredible man, nothing can compare to the love he gave, the memories he made, and the feelings we are left with in our hearts.

Ron enjoyed traveling, making bird houses with the grandkids, collecting license plates, and having coffee with friends. He was known for his organizational skills both in and out of the office. Ron was a member of the Howard Lake American Legion Post 145 and St Mary’s Catholic Church of Waverly.

Ron passed away at his home in Howard Lake on March 28, 2020, after a courageous battle with Leukemia. He reached the age of 68 years, 8 months, and 18 days.

Ron is survived by his Wife, Jean, of 48 years; Children: Jeff (Mary) Miller of Cokato, MN, Steve (Lorie) Miller of Wright City, MO, Michelle (Cullen) Czech of Big Lake, MN; Grandchildren: Morgan Czech, Grant Czech, Sawyer Miller, Sydney Miller; Step Grandchildren: Cayla (Matt) Grates, Colton Czech, Kyle Hennkens, Reese Hennkens and Step Great Granddaughter, Charlotte Wickland. He is also survived by his Mother, Leona Miller; Siblings: Mary Weeres, Linda (Joe) Mehr, Bruce (Joey) Miller, Brian (Linda) Miller, Bob (Linda) Miller, Gary Miller, nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his Father, Paul Miller, Brother, Stephen Miller, and Brother-in-law, Ed Pilantz.

The family will always be grateful to Brian Miller for being Ron’s bone marrow donor. A heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses at Monticello Cancer Center, North Memorial A6, and Mayo Clinic.

A graveside service will take place at 10:30 AM with visitation 1 hour prior on Friday, July 10, 2020 with military honors at the Howard Lake City Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at South Shore Event Center (625 8th Ave S, Howard Lake, MN 55349). Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake. 320-543-3401 www.swansonpeterson.com

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Hagen, Joyce Lucille
age 83, of Howard Lake passed away June 11, 2020 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was born on the homestead farm in Swift County, Minnesota on April 19, 1937 to Stanley and Luella (Anderson) Peterson. She grew up near Kerkhoven, MN, being baptized on July 30, 1937 and confirmed May 18, 1952 at Kerkhoven Lutheran Church. She graduated from Kerkhoven High School in 1957. On August 8, 1970 she was united in marriage to Donald Hagen at Lyndale Lutheran Church in Maple Plain, MN. Joyce made her career as a nursing assistant at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN, as a farm wife and homemaker, and a daycare provider. She made her home in Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Watertown, and Howard Lake, Minnesota. Joyce was a member of Christian Women’s Club and involved in many church groups and activities at Lyndale Lutheran Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. She enjoyed gardening, baking, sewing, and antique collecting.
Survived by her husband, Donald, daughters, Felicia Croy, Wendy Bittner, Roxanne (Shane) Ruffenach, and Misty Hagen, grandchildren, Samantha, Britta, Isaac, Amanda, Jonah, and Lucy, sister, Leola (Tom) Leonard, and brother, Gordon Peterson.
Preceded in death by her parents.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake with visitation 1 hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake www.swansonpeterson.com 320-543-3401

Jacobs, Nancy Maureen
age 77, of Howard Lake passed away on June 1, 2020 at The Lodge in Howard Lake, Minnesota. She was born on the family farm in Turton, South Dakota, April 20, 1943 to William and Janice (Shippee) Holdorf. Following graduation from Brentford High School, Nancy pursued her Bachelors of Science at Presentation Nursing College in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She was united in marriage to Larry Jacobs on April 22, 1967 in Brentford, South Dakota. They were blessed with the birth of 3 boys. They made their life together in Howard Lake, where she pursued a career in nursing.
Nancy enjoyed summer fishing, camping, her flower garden and indoor plants. She also enjoyed her horses and going to the farm and the occasional shopping spree. Her main love was watching her 3 boys play sports and spending time with her grandchildren and her best friend, her sister, Sandra.
Preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Sandra Christopherson, and step-father, Gideon Kaul.
Survived by her children, Bill (Linda), Jason (Sara), and Chris (Briana), grandchildren, Ambriel, Ariana, Grace, Emily, Lucy, Wyatt, and Kade.
A private family service will take place at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401