Obituaries 12/12/24

Shirley Erickson, 73

Wife, mother, grandmother. Went peacefully to be with her Jesus on Friday, December 6, 2024. 

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, John Erickson; sons, Josh (Amber) Erickson and Jeremiah Erickson; daughter, Jenna (Dan) Gohman; grandsons, Bauer and Eli Erickson and Sean Gohman; as well as nine siblings; 14 nephews and nieces; and 17 great-nephews and great-nieces.

Preceded in death by her mother, Ardis; father, Melvin; sister, Joann; and nephew, Matthew.

She spent her days gardening, visiting, making projects for county fairs, and bargain hunting at every thrift store and garage sale she came across. 

She was a beautiful soul who loved Jesus and loved her family. 

Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, Minnesota.

Funeral Services were Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church in French Lake, Minnesota.

Arrangements by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com.

Roger Lundeen, 88

Roger Enoch Lundeen, age 88, of Buffalo, MN, passed away peacefully on Dec. 4, 2024, at The Glenn assisted living memory cottages.

Roger trusted in God’s saving grace at an early age, asking Jesus to be his Lord and Savior while at Free Church camp (Sturges Park, Buffalo, MN). He loved Jesus foremost and was passionate about sharing with everyone around him what Jesus had done for him.

Roger was born on June 5, 1936, in Cokato, MN, to Enoch and Esther (Olson) Lundeen. He and his family moved several times back and forth between Cokato and Buffalo during his growing up years. He graduated from Cokato High in 1954 then attended and graduated from Bethel College. Over the years, he worked at Honeywell, then was a nursing home administrator at Ebenezer (now Lake Ridge Care Center), Covenant Village in Plantation, FL, and Parkview Care Center.   

Roger spent his final 20 working years selling real estate in Buffalo and the surrounding area. During his retirement, he and his wife, Adelle (Holmgren) Lundeen, spent winters in Estero, Florida. During the summers, he had a lawn care business, mowing grass and other yard work, until the age of 84. 

Roger was an active member at Buffalo Covenant Church and Gideon’s International for many years. His chief desire was that everyone clearly understood their need to put their trust in Jesus Christ as their only hope.

Roger was a devoted family man, living selflessly and humbly, sharing God’s grace and mercy with his family while knowing he, too, was blessed by the same.  

Roger is survived by his loving wife, Adelle, of 66 years; sons, Todd (Maggie) Lundeen, of Princeton, Paul (Laura) Lundeen, of Buffalo, and daughter, Michelle (Jon) Overlie, of Maple Grove; sister, Marlyce (Nelson) Tengwall, of Buffalo; brother-in-law, Wendell Holmgren, of Bloomington; sister-in-law, Lylas (Holmgren) Anderson, of Bloomington; and lots of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Lovingly remembered also by his grandkids, Josh (Allie) Lundeen, Jared (Jessica) Lundeen, Jenah Lundeen, Anna (Anthony) Lundeen Spano, Max (Steph) Lundeen, Maija (Andrew) Overlie Kremer, Owen (Claire Flanders, fiancée) Overlie, and Luke Overlie; also, seven great-grandchildren and one on the way. 

He is preceded in death by brother and sister-in-law, John and Karen Lundeen, brother-in-law, Roy (Marlyce) Nelson, brother-in-law, Ralph Anderson, and sister-in-law, Eleanore (Bryngelson) Holmgren.

Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at Buffalo Ev. Covenant Church in Buffalo, MN.

Luncheon will be held at the church following the service.

Private family interment at the Swedish Mission Cemetery in Buffalo, MN.

Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.  

Renee Mattson, 89

Renee Iris Mattson, 9/27/1935-12/08/2024

Renee passed away peacefully at Buffalo Hospital under the care of a wonderful staff.

She was born to Alvin and Ruth Hengel in St Cloud Minnesota and moved to Howard Lake where she graduated from high school.

Renee met her husband Dick at a dance at Waverly Village Hall, and they married in 1953. They were married for 70 wonderful years.

She worked for many years at the Sears catalog store in Buffalo, both at their downtown and highway locations.

Renee loved watching her outdoor birds and spent a fortune on bird seed!

Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma loved her kids! When anyone visited, her face lit up in smiles.

We were all so blessed by her love!

Renee is preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Mattson; son, Todd; parents, Alvin and Ruth Hengel; sister, Betty Lou Hengel; and brothers, Milton Hengel and Alvin Hengel Jr.

She is survived by sons, Scott and Jeff (Christine) Mattson; daughter, Lisa (Don) Mills; grandchildren, Ryan Mattson, Cole (Mark) Nelson, Eric (Caitlin) Mills, Mitchell (Monica) Mills, Samantha (Jack) Telega, Brett Mills, Nick (Maddie) Mattson, Allie and Brianna Mattson; great-grandchildren, Alex and Peyton Mattson, Miles Nelson, Riley Mills, Teagan and Quinn Telega, Ivy and William Mattson, Bodie Mills and “baby Mills” due Dec 20; and by many family and friends.

A Memorial Service for Renee Mattson will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 17, beginning at 10:30 A.M. AT THE CHURCH.

Inurnment will be held in spring at Swedesburg Cemetery in rural Waverly.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Joan Raisanen, 85

Joan Rita (LaPlant) Raisanen, age 85, of Buffalo, MN, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2024, at Lake Ridge Care Center with family at her side.

She was born on June 12, 1939, the daughter of George and C. Mae (Holmberg) LaPlant and baptized at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where she was a lifelong member. Joan was first and foremost a woman of faith.

Joan grew up in Buffalo, MN, with her parents (father, George was Buffalo’s Chief of Police); four sisters and two brothers. She attended St Francis Xavier Catholic School and Buffalo High School.  

While she attended school and after finishing school, she worked at several jobs, including cleaning homes, Wonderalls, and Tonka Toys.

She married John “Jack” Raisanen on February 24, 1962. They were blessed with nine children, raised primarily in Buffalo, MN. They were married 21 years before Jack passed away from cancer in 1983. Joan returned to the workforce after Jack’s passing. She worked at The Glenn in Buffalo, MN, as a dietary aide for 26 years and retired in 2010. She was a hard worker, very meticulous in her job duties, and was well loved by residents and staff alike. She often volunteered there after retiring at age 71.

In 2013, Joan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and given a grim prognosis. She proved to be a warrior up for the literal fight of her life. Joan’s last decade of life was marked by several highs and lows, often battling through medical setbacks, but time and again, she prevailed. Her fight gave those who loved her the tremendous “gift” of additional time with this remarkable woman.

Joan loved dancing, music, animals, decorating for special occasions and at the cemetery--there was no such thing as “too many” decorations, gnomes, thrifting, socializing—completing regular rounds to McDonald’s, Culver’s, Wise Penny Thrift Store, garage sales, and the laundromat. She was always up for an adventure, as long as it was within 25 miles of Buffalo. 

Above all, Joan always had time for anyone, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Joan, unconditionally, unselfishly loved her children and supported them all her life through the many highs and difficulties of their lives and her own life. Joan was the strongest and kindest woman her family knew.

She is survived by her children, Rachel Raisanen, of Edina, MN, Glen Raisanen, of Buffalo, MN, Jill Raisanen, of Buffalo, MN, Gale Raisanen, of Buffalo, MN, Ava Raisanen, of Hayes, VA, John (Jennifer) Raisanen, of Buffalo, MN, David (Renee) Raisanen, of Albertville, MN, Nila (Brian) Bursheim, of Buffalo, MN; grandchildren, John Raisanen, Rita (Jesse) Young, Erin Raisanen, Jacob Smith, Breanda (Sutton) Nealy, Lydia, Niklas, Ben and Julia Raisanen; siblings, Yvonne Degrar, of Cloquet, MN, and Kay Bastin, of Delano, MN; three great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and her beloved dog, Penny.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Patrick Raisanen; siblings, Marlys Barbeau, Lois Price, Mark LaPlant, Basil LaPlant, and Stanley LaPlant; plus several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

On behalf of the Raisanen Family, a special thank you to all the nursing home staff at Lake Ridge Care Center for the kindness, loving care, and friendship so freely given to Joan.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Joan Raisanen will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, MN, with visitation two hours prior to the service at the church.

Interment at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Buffalo, MN.

Casket Bearers will be John Raisanen, Jacob Smith, Malikai DeGroat, Virgil LaPlant, Chuck Wiczek, and Rita Young. Honorary casket bearers are all Joan’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are preferred, or donations to Crossroads Animal Shelter, or MOCA (MN Ovarian Cancer Alliance).

The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, MN, assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.