Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home

Richard "Dick" Lowell Swanson, a lifelong resident of Milaca, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, at the age of 78. Funeral services were held Monday, February 9, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca. Born on July 6, 1947, in Princeton, Minnesota, Dick made Milaca his home for all his years. He graduated from Milaca High School in 1965 and was a proud member of the Milaca Indian Band and later the Alumni Marching Band. Dick was the proud owner of Dick Swanson's Transport, a business he built through dedication. He was also a United States Navy veteran, serving honorably and remained a point of pride throughout his life. Outside of work, Dick found joy in...

Iris Helen Anderson was born on October 3, 1932 to Benjamin and Ruth Smithers. She passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026 after a short stay at the Milaca Elim Home. She graduated from Princeton High School and worked at the Red Owl grocery store in Princeton. Iris and Dewey enjoyed roller skating at area rinks with friends and were married on June 6, 1953 at the Zion Lutheran Church parsonage in Milaca. They made their home on the Totzke/Anderson family farm in Foreston (Pebble Acres) where they milked Holstein cows, raised pigs and crop farmed throughout their lives. Iris and Dewey were lifelong members and supporters of Zion Lutheran Church. Iris was a full-time homemaker...

Martha Frerich, age 87, of Foreston passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, January 30, 2026 at St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church in Foreston. Interment followed at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Martha was born on November 22, 1938 in Clara City, Minnesota to John and Anna Zeller. She attended school through 12th grade and moved to Foreston after being united in marriage to Robert Frerich on July 23, 1966. Martha was a stay at home mom and raised three children, all while helping with the things that needed to be done on a farm. Martha was an accomplished...

At the age of 84, Frank's work here on Earth is done. On Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, Franklin Jindra Jr passed away peacefully in the home he and Joan built together. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 10 AM at St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church in Foreston. Interment will follow at St. Louis Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Franklin was born on April 11, 1941, in St. Cloud, MN, to Franklin Sr and Leona (Leason) Jindra. He grew up in Foreston, MN, and attended primary school there and high school in Milaca, MN. He married the love of his life, Joan Kamrowski,...

Mark Willard Sederquist, Jr., passed away at the age of 92 on January 19, 2026, at Elim Meadows in Milaca, Minnesota. Mark was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 13, 1933, to Mark and Helen Sederquist. He was baptized at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church. He grew up with his sister, Marian, on the family farm south of Foreston, Minnesota. Mark went to District 6 country school until the 9th grade, when he began attending Milaca High School. There, Mark played football, basketball, and baseball. In his junior year, he met the love of his life, Catherine Dahlstrom, and they were engaged two years later. Mark graduated from Milaca High School in 1951. Mark briefly attended the...

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.