Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home

A celebration of life for Robert Howard Van Alst, Jr, age 52, of Ogilvie was held Friday, January 2, 2026 at the Borgholm Township Hall, 16401 70th Avenue, Milaca, MN. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to the Mille Lacs County Dirt Devils, 16593 145th Avenue, Milaca, MN 56353. Please make a memo that it's for the Robert Van Alst Memorial. Robert was born June 28, 1973 in Minneapolis, MN to Bob and Lil Van Alst. He spent indoctrinated days at Ogilvie and Milaca Schools, graduating from Milaca. As a youngster, he worked on the family farm south of Bock. He worked at Federated, then at eRide in Princeton building electric vehicles for government federales. As a...

Richard Duane Wergin age 82, of Princeton, MN and Mesa, AZ entered into the arms of his savior Jesus Christ, while surrounded by his family, on December 23, 2025. Richard was born June 6, 1943 to Carl and Valborg (Dahl) Wergin in Princeton, MN. He grew up on the family farm in rural Princeton. He attended country school through 5th grade and then Princeton Public Schools. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1961. He later attended Veterans Agricultural School. On May 24, 1974 Richard was united in marriage to Betsy (Koppendrayer) Wergin. They had two children Melissa and Joshua as well as many foster children. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. Richard was drafted...

Longtime resident of Milaca, Frederick C. Fure died peacefully in his sleep on December 20, 2025 at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina at the age of 95 years old. Frederick was born on June 1, 1930. Frederick and his late wife Shirley ran Fure's Jewelry and Gift Store in Milaca for many years. Frederick was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Shirley. He is survived by his children, David Fure of Zimmerman, Minnesota, Dale (Sara) Fure of Elk River, Minnesota, Debra (Bob) Shoemaker of Fargo, North Dakota and Daniel (Michelle) Fure of Monticello, Minnesota. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Stella Mae Wessman Kiel, age 95, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, December 13, 2025 surrounded by her family in Milaca Minnesota. Stella was born on January 29, 1930 in Milaca top Henry and Jessie Wessman. At an early age, she accepted Jesus as her personal savior. She attended the Christian Missionary Alliance Church of Milaca where she met and married the love of her life John Kiel. They moved to a wonderful neighborhood in Falcon Heights and formed many life long friendships with their neighbors and members of RoseHill Alliance Church where they were faithful members for many years. Mille Lacs Lake was a favorite destination for John and Stella and their family, spending most...

Robert Leonard Bergstrom was born November 2, 1925 to Oscar and Julia (Jensen) Bergstrom in Karlstad, MN. He graduated from Milaca High School and then entered the Air Force and was in World War II and the Korean War. He lived in Sweden before returning and marrying Erma Johnson and starting a family. Robert and Erma were called to missions overseas with the Evangelical Covenant Church and served in the Democratic Republic of Congo at Imeloko, Karawa, and Wasolo. They closed out their missionary careers at Yaloke in Central African Republic. After retirement, they settled south of Bock, MN. Robert and Erma have loved hosting family, friends, and events on their farm. Robert was an...

Irene Helen James was born March 22, 1941 to Francis and Ann Gossen on their family farm in Milaca, MN. She was called to heaven on November 28, 2025 at the age of 84. Irene attended Milaca High School, Class of 1959. She then went to work in Minneapolis at the Federal Reserve Bank. Irene married Jim James on April 4, 1964 at St Mary's Catholic Church in Milaca. Together they raised four children on their hobby farm. Irene enjoyed garage sale-ing, hobby farm animals and her family. She is survived by her children, Cindy (Brian), Debi (Paul), Jim (Tami), Dan (Heather) and 13 grandchildren, Jenessa, Caleb, Alec, Ella, Nicole, Alicia, Bethany, Adam, Josh, Jenaya, Noah, Sheena and Andi; ...

Donald Bailey, age 81, of Milaca, passed away November 15, 2025. Memorial service will be held Monday, November 24, 2025 at 11 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca. Burial with full military honors will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Don was born May 7, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN to Miland and Eleanor (Brandt) Bailey. He graduated from Milaca High School in 1962. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served in the Air Force until 1966. In 1966, he married Cheryl Erickson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca. Don worked for Barton Construction, Jensen Andersen Plumbing and Heating. He then...

Marie Clara Bozych-Salgren, age 55, of Foreston, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Marie's warmth, kindness, and unwavering faith touched the lives of all who knew her. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 11 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Milaca. Burial will follow at St. Louis Cemetery in Foreston. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5 - 8 PM at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca with a rosary service at 7:45 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Marie was born April 25, 1970 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Herbert and...

Kathryn Ramona Carpenter, age 81, of Princeton, formerly of Foreston, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 13, 2025. Memorial service will be held Friday, November 21, 2025 at 12 Noon at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church near Longsiding, MN. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at West Branch Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Kathy was born August 27, 1944 to Clayton and Mary (Stockton) Johnson in Concord, NC. She grew up in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School in 1962. Kathy earned her LPN at St. Cloud Technical College and later earned her RN at Anoka Ramsey Community College. ...

Elizabeth Ann Beck, age 78, of Milaca, MN died on October 20, 2025. A memorial service will be held for Betty on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11 AM at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Dorothy June Gorecki, 93, of Milaca, passed away October 11, 2025 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Cloud, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Benedict Gorecki on July 9, 2016. Dorothy June Marion was born June 17, 1932 in Williston, North Dakota. Benedict and Dorothy were married February 14, 1952. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Linda Locher of Cold Spring; grandchildren and their spouses and great-grandchildren. She also leaves many relatives and close friends who will miss her immensely. Preceding Dorothy in death were her husband, Benedict (2016); children, Sandra Gorecki (1975), Steven Gorecki (1996), Mary Rahm (2010), Kate (Barbara) Gorecki (2018), and...

Jane Harriet Hardy was born August 1, 1933 in Granite Ledge Township to parents, Emil and Alma Hardy. She had a twin brother Jim. She was part of a large family consisting of eight girls, Violet, Gladys, Evelyn, Lillian, Rose, Lorraine and Millie. She had eight brothers, Ray, Lawrence, Bill, Clarence, Donnie, Jim, Melvin, and Bob. Jane attended O'Neil country school through 8th grade. After completing school, she helped her mother work at home on the farm. She babysat for many local families and worked in Milaca. Jane married Elmer Totzke on November 1, 1952. They lived in Minneapolis briefly and she worked at Land O'Lakes. They moved to the Totzke family farm in Foreston and raised...

Alfred D. Whitehead, age 94, of Milaca, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, September 28th, 2025. In keeping with his wishes no services are planned at this time. Alfred was born April 11th, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan to Alfred and Sally (Levandowski) Whitehead. He graduated from Anoka High School and later Dunwoody Tech. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War and upon his honorable discharge he went to work at Honeywell for 40 years as a Tool and Die Maker, he spent 16 of those years as the Plant Steward for Local 1145. It was at Honeywell in 1987 when he met his second wife and soulmate Sandy. Alfred and Sandy moved around Minnesota looking for...

Margaret Ann Timmer, of Milaca, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025, at the age of 86. Born in 1939 in Princeton, Minnesota, Margaret lived a life grounded in family, faith, and community. In 1957, Margaret married the love of her life, Donald Timmer. Together, they began their journey in several small towns across Minnesota and Wisconsin before settling in Pease in 1963. There, Don and his brother Gary took over the family farm through the late 1980s. Margaret was the heart of her home, raising six children on the family farm, bringing them up in the Pease Christian Reformed Church (CRC) community. She was a devoted member of the Pease CRC for more than 60 years. Her...

Lyle Fylstra passed away peacefully on August 17, 2025 at 95 years old. Memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Elim Meadows Chapel, 740 2nd St. SE, Milaca, MN 56353. Lyle was born in Milaca to Erie ad Peter Fylstra on May 18, 1930. He grew up in Milaca and graduated from Milaca High School. Lyle married Marlys Peterson on October 14, 1950, at Zion Lutheran Church of Milaca. They were married almost 68 years. Lyle was a professional photographer while living in Princeton. He worked for Olsen Graphic Products and Colorhouse Inc. in Minneapolis after their move to St. Paul. Marlys and Lyle moved back to Milaca for their retirement. Lyle was...

Carolyn Ann Freyholtz, age 79, of Milaca, passed away Thursday, August 7, 2025. Private burial will take place at Borgholm Cemetery near Bock. She was born January 10, 1946 to Axel and Bertha Gustafson in Milaca, MN. She was united in marriage to Roger Freyholtz on July 9, 1971. Carolyn worked from 1965 to 1985 at Milaca Mills. She is survived by her daughter, Stacy (Roger) Knutson; son, Daniel (Judy) Freyholtz; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; also by many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger; her parents, Axel and Bertha and two great-grandbabies.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Wesley James Siegersma, age 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Harmony House in Pierz, MN with his daughters by his side. Wes was born on January 17, 1944 in Artesia, CA to Charlie and Jane (DeVries) Siegersma. At the age of four, the family returned to Minnesota where he was raised on the family farm south of Milaca. Wes attended Pease Community Christian School and Milaca High School. He served in the National Guard before beginning his trucking career, in his early twenties, with Don Patnode Trucking. Over the years, Wes hauled for Wayne Transports and Coca-Cola before becoming an owner/operator of Wes Siegersma Trucking....

Patricia Didier was born April 17, 1940 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Weldon and Merle (Hawkins) Walrath. She graduated from Handy High School in Bay City in 1958, Bay City Junior College in 1960, and Michigan State University in East Lansing in 1967 with a degree in elementary education. She worked at Peoples State Savings Bank in Auburn, MI from 1960 to 1965. She was united in marriage to Duane Didier on September 17, 1966 in Auburn. Duane and Pat lived in Lansing, MI, Colorado Springs, CO, Brainerd, and Sartell, before settling in rural Foreston in 1974, where they raised their five children. She taught first and second grades in Colorado, early childhood in Milaca, and was a...

Charmaine Marie (Bohm) Swenson, age 88, died May 04, 2025. Charmaine was born June 27, 1936, to Albert and Dorothy Bohm of Hillsboro, North Dakota. Myron Swenson and Charmaine were married August 2, 1958. Three sons enlivened their hearts and homes in Hettinger, North Dakota and Milaca, Minnesota. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 11 AM Trinity Lutheran Church, Milaca, Minnesota her community of faith. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Remembering Charmaine may be as honorable as greeting a new neighbor, thanking the mail carrier, reading to someone or sharing a...

Murel was born in rural Gilmanton Township, MN at home on the family farm on April 27, 1941. He was the fourth child of six born to Gustave and Esther (Stofflet) Lezer. He graduated from Foley High School in 1959. After high school he worked at Fingerhut and Dezurik until going to World Aerospace Corporation as a machinist for 27 years. Murel also owned and operated Murel's Body Shop, after retiring he worked part time for Auto Value as well as farming. On April 20, 1963 he married the love of his life Patricia Studenski in a ceremony at United Church of Christ, Minden Township. Together, they had 4 children. All his life his heart was in farming and he and his family worked on the farm...

Emma Leona Reibestein, age 53 of Fridley, Minnesota, passed away on April 17, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church in Foreston. Interment will follow at St. Edward's Cemetery in Princeton. Visitation will take place on hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. She was born January 13, 1972 in Milaca, Minnesota to parents Frank and Barbara (Huonder) Reibestein. She graduated from Princeton High School in 1990. After high school, she attended Anoka Technical College for Culinary Arts. She worked as a cook at Sandborn's Supperclub in Princeton and St. Benedict Center in St. Cloud. After buying her first...