Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home

Sharon Sandberg, age 80, passed away on November 19, 2023. Interment will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Little Falls. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 1 - 4 pm at the Page Township Hall located 21804 140th Ave Milaca MN 56353. Lunch will be provided. Sharon was born March 2, 1943 in Minot, ND and grew up on a farm outside of Garrison ND. Sharon met future husband, LeDell Sandberg while he was serving in the Air Force in Minot ND. She moved to Milaca MN in July of 1967 where they were married. They had two children, Bonnie King and Randall Sandberg. Sharon enjoyed her family, friends and coffee at Hardee's. She also enjoyed being outdoors and...

Raymond Leroy Edgren was born July 18, 1931 and passed peacefully into heaven on November 12, 2023. He married his wife, Betty on June 5, 1954. They were married for 69 1/2 years. Ray was a dairy farmer whose career began when he was a 4-H member and recipient of the Mille Lacs County 4-H Creamery Calf Award. This registered calf was the start of his registered dairy herd something of which he was quite proud. His farm, named Milo Lea Farm, became well known in the dairy farm community. Ray and Betty would often have other dairy farmers stop in unannounced to see his cows. This was usually followed by inviting them in for a cup of coffee and some homemade baked goods or maybe his...

Raymond Halgren, age 98, of Milaca, passed away Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at his home near Milaca. A memorial service was held on Monday, October 30, 2023 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Milaca. Interment with full military honors followed at Wendell Hill Cemetery near Milaca. He is survived by his children, Russell Raymond (Mary) Halgren and Joy Ann Stuhl; grandchildren, Jayme Randall Stuhl and Chad Robert (Laura) Stuhl; and great-grandchildren, Preston Jaymes Stuhl, Wilder Doc Stuhl, and Oaklan Crew Stuhl. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; parents, Oscar and Cossete Halgren; son-in-law, Randy and brothers, Donald and Richard Halgren.

Sharon Jean Nelson, age 80, passed away October 23, 2023 surrounded by her family. Funeral service was heldFriday, October 27, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca. Interment followed at Forest Hill Cemetery. She was born September 20, 1943 in Cleveland, OH. Sharon met her future husband, Carl, when he was stationed in Cleveland while in the Army. They were married March 18, 1961. Within four years, they were blessed with four children. Sharon enjoyed snowmobiling with Carl and many friends, making a few trips out west. She also was an avid bowler on leagues for many years. Sharon loved to ride on Carl's Harley, going on leisurely rides. She also enjoyed going on vacation to...

Barbara Beeuwsaert passed away on October 17, 2023, at home with her family by her side. A Commemeration Mass will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 1 PM at St. Louis Catholic Church in Foreston. Visitation will take place from 12 - 1 PM at the church on Thursday. Private interment will take place at a later date. Barbara Carol (Hakes) Beeuwsaert was born December 1, 1966, in Cambridge, MN to Clarence and Virginia Hakes. They moved around quite a bit in the early years of Barb's life because of Clarence's involvement in the military. On February 24, 1971, Barb lost her dad to an aircraft crash in Vietnam while serving the war. Barb was very proud of her dad and continued to tell his...

Funeral service for Albert William Manthie, age 92, of Milaca, was held Monday October 16, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca. Interment with full military honors followed at Borgholm Cemetery near Bock. Albert William Manthie was born March 12, 1931 to William and Louise (Schaffer) in Aitkin, MN. When he and his siblings were young, they moved to a farm north of Ogilvie. Al attended District 41 Country school in Mudgett Township and later Ogilvie High School. In 1952 Al was drafted into the Army and was in the Korean War. Al was a member the C Company 194th Tank Battalion. Al married Grace (Jacobson) on October 16, 1954. They made their home on a farm Northeast of...

Verna Backlund was born June 3, 1932. She passed away September 29, 2023 at her residence in Milaca, MN. She will be sadly missed! In keeping with Vern'a wishes, no services will be held. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home - Milaca

On September 21, 2023, Alywin Unger, of rural Ogilvie, quietly passed away at the Cambridge Medical Center. During his life he may have been seen as head strong, independent and outspoken. But few have experienced his true caring, compassion.He was born June 19, 1952 to LeRoy and Lorraine Unger at Mora Hospital. Alywin changed the house into a home. Alywin had everything running smoothly by the time his brothers, Stanley and Kevin joined the family. After graduating from Milaca High School, as many you people do, Alywin searched for his direction and purpose. He found many adventures that he shared with others. He worked at several construction companies, including Schafer...

Ivadelle Ann Nelson passed away peacefully at the age of 101 on September 10, 2023, at Stoney River Assisted Living in Ramsey Minnesota. Funeral services were held Friday, September 15, 2023 at Milaca Evangelical Free Church. Burial followed at Borgholm Cemetery near Bock. Ivy was born on October 18, 1921 at home in Kanabec County to William and Marie (Borg) Jepson. She was the 3rdof 4 children. She attended school to the 8th grade in Ogilvie Minnesota and later as an adult received her GED. She married Irven Nelson on April 5, 1939. They spent the majority of their married life dairy farming in Mille Lacs County. Their union produced 6 children. After they retired from farming they...

Ivy Nelson, age 101, of Ramsey, formerly of Milaca, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2023. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 15, 2023 at 11 AM at Milaca Evangelical Free Church. Burial will follow at Borgholm Cemetery near Bock. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

On September 6, 2023, Marilyn (Souer) Helfinstine made her much anticipated journey to her eternal home with her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Milaca Evangelical Free Church. Burial followed at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Marilyn was born at home on October 20, 1935 in Pierz, Minnesota to Albert and Carolyn (Yatcksoke) Souer. When she was seven, her family moved to a farm in Oak Park, MN. She attended country school until grade eight, then graduated from Foley High School in 1953. She was a proud alumni of St. Paul Bible Institute (now Crown College). On September 3, 1965 she was united in marriage to M. Gene Helfinstine....

Dorothy Mae Scott, age 86, of Isle, Minnesota, passed away on August 28, 2023, at Essentia Health - St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at the Warman Chapel, 15 miles north of Mora on Highway 65, with Pastor Nick Skogan officiating. Interment followed at Opstead Baptist Cemetery north of Isle. Dorothy Mae Scott was born on March 5, 1937, in Haybrook Township. Dorothy was united in marriage to John Scott on August 13, 1955. They lived and worked in the Twin Cities area until 1962 when John and Dorothy purchased a farm in Haybrook Township. Dorothy loved to garden, quilt, cook, and spend time with her grandchildren....

Julia Roveen Zell Swalboski passed away Thursday, August 24, 2023 at the home she shared with her daughter. She was born February 14, 1929 to Sidney O. Zell and Lois (Oothoudt) Zell in Eden Prairie, Minnesota She grew up and attended schools in Maple Grove, Osseo, and graduated from Mora High School in 1947 . Jullia married Walter Swalboski on March 18, 1949 in Foley. They had three children. They made their home in Foley for a short time, then moved to Coin, MN, and later to Milaca and Foreston. Walter died in 1995. Julia then moved to the Brainerd/Baxter area and lived with her daughter, Marlys. Julia had been an office worker and later a payroll supervisor for the family business....

Carl Eugene Nelson, age 84, passed away August 24, 2023 surrounded by family. He was born July 31, 1939 and raised on the family farm near Pease, MN. He attended Milaca High School graduating in 1957. He worked on the family farm where he learned to be a hard working man. After graduating, he worked for O.G. Hanson Concrete in Princeton. In 1959, Carl enlisted in the US Army based in Warrensville Station in Cleveland, OH. On a weekend pass he was introduced to his future wife, Sharon Williams, and they were married on March 18, 1961. Within four years there were blessed with four children. After his Army service he remained in Cleveland and started his own business, Nelson's Dry...

Funeral service for Beatrice Kiel will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 11 AM at Milaca Ev. Free Church. Interment will follow at Estes Brook Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 9 - 11 AM at the church on Saturday. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home - Milaca.

Sylvia (Hanenburg) Ruis was born on August 17, 1926 to William and Kathryn (Bouma) Hanenburg near Pease, MN. She graduated from Pease Christian School and then Milaca High School in 1944. On March 8, 1946, she was united in marriage to John Ruis. They were blessed with 4 children; Kathy, Alan, Bill and Tom. John and Sylvia farmed together near Milaca for about 57 years and in 2003 retired to Milaca. Some time after John passed, she moved to Country Meadows and in 2022 to Elim Nursing Home. She was a life long member of the Christian Reformed Church in Pease where she was involved in various societies and served as an organist for 50 plus years. Sylvia was very active in the dairy farm...

James Mark Coughlin, age 62, of Milaca, formerly of Cannon Falls, MN, passed away Saturday, July 15, 2023. Memorial service was held Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Milaca United Methodist Church. He was born March 8, 1961 to Charles and Loretta (Simon) Coughlin in Owatonna, MN. Jim spent his life in service to others. One of his major accomplishments was acting as superintendent for the construction of the hospital in Princeton. He was a multi-talented craftsman. Jim's workmanship could be found in Montana, Colorado, and all over Minnesota. He loved his family, his church, and his many friends in Milaca. He is survived by his son, Adrian of Milaca; mother, Loretta Coughlin of Blooming...

Larry Gardiner, age 79, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023 at Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins. Funeral service was held Friday, July 14, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca. Interment followed at Forest Hill Cemetery. Larry Elliott Gardiner was born January 31, 1944 in Milaca, MN to Elliott "Bud" and Genevieve "Gen" (Anderson) Gardiner. He grew up in Milaca and graduated from Milaca High School in 1962. He was united in marriage to Kathleen Wiemann on March 13, 1965 in Milaca. They made their home in Bloomington, MN and Larry worked as a computer programmer for the Bureau of Engraving for many years. In later years he worked as a bus driver. Larry enjoyed genealogy and Milaca...

Bob (Garrett Robert) was born to Bill and Mildred Geurink on January 06, 1944. He attended Pease Christian School and graduated from Milaca High School. He married Shirley Zomer July 2, 1971 in Corsica, South Dakota. They lived on "the east" farm for 52 years. Bob was a dairy farmer, loved horses, and special cars. Bob had a strong love for his Lord, his church, and loved to pray for his church family. Bob went home to be with his Savior in heaven July 7, 2023 at the age of 79. He was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan; his parents, Bill and Mildred Geurkink; his sisters, Darlene and Betty; brothers, Warren, Dick, and Phil; parents-in-law, Egbert and Beulah Zomer. Bob is survived...

David Kowalsky, age 84 of Garrison, MN, formerly of Onamia, passed away June 29, 2023 at St.Cloud Hospital as a result of an ATV accident. David was born April 17, 1939, the son of Stephan and Inzella (Young) Kowalsky of Onamia, MN. David married Sharon Robinson of Milaca on March 14, 1959. Thereafter, David enlisted and served in the United States Army. Spent his working years over the road, driving semi-trucks for several different companies until he retired. He spent his retirement years doing what he enjoyed most; spending time with family/friends, traveling, wintering in Arizona for as long as Sharon would allow, and riding ATV throughout Minnesota, and the Midwest with friends. He...

Karen Elizabeth Frank, age 76, of Milaca, passed away at her home on June 22, 2023. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 30, 2023 at 10 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Milaca. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery. Visitation will take place from 4:30 - 7:30 PM on Thursday at the church with a prayer service at 7 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Karen was born September 20, 1946 to Lynn and Hermina Jones in Bruce, Wisconsin. She graduated from Bruce High School and moved to Minneapolis MN. She met Daniel Frank and they were married in 1967. In her lifetime she worked as a phone operator, at Honeywell, as a...