Obituaries 7/8/21
Paul Berg, 77
Paul Ferdinand Berg was born in Cokato, Minnesota on May 15, 1944, to Ferdinand and Mavis (Johnson) Berg. He grew up on the farm south of Howard Lake and made it his lifelong home. Paul was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato and graduated from Cokato High School in 1962.
Paul has farmed his whole life and for a time drove a truck during the corn pack in Cokato, and for Northrup King; he worked for a time at Aggregate Industries in Elk River. For quite some time, he has delivered meals for Catholic Charities in Maple Lake, Annandale, and Kimball where he has also helped to serve. Paul enjoyed gardening and dogs.
Paul passed away at his home on June 28, 2021. He had reached the age of 77 years, one month, and 13 days.
He is survived by his brothers, Henry (Joyce), of Buffalo, Stanley (Nancy), of Clear Lake, and Jeffrey (Rita), of Bloomington. Along with several other relatives and friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Ferdinand and Mavis; brothers, Julian, Kevin, and infant, Henry C.; and niece, Whitney Berg.
Memorial Service was 11 AM Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato. Visitation was one hour prior to service on Tuesday. Interment was at Cokato City Cemetery.
Joyce Clayton
On February 11, 2021, Joyce Katherine (Wurm) (Niesen) Clayton, passed peacefully surrounded by loving family.
Joyce leaves behind: loving husband, Jesse Clayton; children, LouAnn Klein, Sherry (Tom) Olson, David (Deb) Niesen, Julie Niesen; step-son, Steve Clayton; step-daughter, Robin; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Bob (Carol) and Keith (Sandy); sister, Dorthy (Jim); daughter-in-law, Terre Niesen; sisters-in-law, Sandy (Lyle), and Norma Jean Moody; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, William Niesen; parents; George and Sadie (Jansen) Wurm; sons, Tom, Bruce, Kenny; brothers, Dick and Morris; and sister, Rita.
The legacy of Joyce’s kind spirit and love will live on through family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. Interment to follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. The family invites friends and family to join them for a luncheon following the burial back at the church reception area.
Arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Patrick Lynch, 68
Patrick Emmett Lynch, 68, of Watertown, MN, passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2021.
He was born December 18, 1952, in Watertown, MN, the second of seven children.
Pat loved playing baseball and softball. He won league MVP and a batting title or two, but that wasn’t most important to him. His best life lessons, stories, and friendships came from playing town ball. Pat once hit a home run in St. Boni that flew so far some say the ball still hasn’t landed!
In May of 1979, Pat was united in marriage to Joan Mader, and Pat began what would become his most well-known role: family man. Pat was father to four children and “Papa” to 12 grandchildren. “I like my kids,” he would joke, “but I love my grandkids.” Pat was always there - at band concerts, games, and all school programs. Family was everything to him.
Most of all, Pat was a helper. Everyone has a story about a time when Pat was there for them when they needed a hand. He connected with everyone he met, from people at church, to strangers in waiting rooms. He had a gift for making conversation and finding common ground. Pat knew how to bring joy to others, often despite the circumstances.
Pat was a man who lived his faith. A lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown, he was a fixture at Mass, as well as at church gatherings, weddings, funerals, camps, and more. At home, his prayer list hung close at hand above the kitchen table.
Pat worked at Monarch/US Foods for 38 years, “moving boxes.” He was a Lions Club member and loved the social aspect as much as their duties. He loved “dinging around” with friends and family, at home, or up north at the Shack and the Hattieshack. Pat often cruised Main Street in his old truck and loved visiting friends. He’d never call beforehand, just stopped in if he saw you were home. You could often catch him early mornings at the gas station having a “splat” of coffee with friends.
Pat’s last days became a “living wake,” as more than 100 friends and family members stopped by his home to visit. It was a testament to how Pat lived - a friend and role model to so many in his community. “Be careful what you do,” he’d say, “a kid might be watching.”
Pat will be missed by many, but his memory lives on in the innumerable lives he touched.
“Good friends, good food, good health.” -Lynch family prayer
Pat is survived by his wife of 42 years, Joan; his children, Katie (Adam) Leuthner, Emily (Phil) Victory, Anna (Ryan) Sandquist, and Aaron (Jen) Lynch; grandchildren, Addison, Paul, Kenneth and Peter Leuthner; Patrick, Timothy, James and Emmett Victory; Layla, Lucille, Pearl and Merit Sandquist; siblings, Mary (Fred) Muhs, Mike (Cindy) Lynch, Emmett (Belinda) Lynch, Joe (Mary) Lynch, and Tim (Debbie) Lynch; in-laws, Don (Carol) Mader, Jerry (Lois) Mader, Monica (Lewis) Taylor, Larry (Darlene) Mader, Mary (Dave) Sandquist, Linda (Greg) Reinert, Robert Mader; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Lorraine Lynch; and his sister, Margaret; parents-in-law, Paul and Angeline Mader; and sister-in-law, Aggie Gooden.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3 PM on Friday, July 9, 2021, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Visitation will be Thursday, from 4-8 PM with a 3:30 PM Rosary, and continues Friday, 2-3 PM prior to Mass, ALL at the church. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Arrangements by the Iten’s Watertown Funeral Home.
Carol Makousky, 80
Carol Ann Makousky was born in Delano, Minnesota on December 22, 1940, to Richard and Anna (Bengtson) Schultz. She grew up in Delano, was baptized at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church on May 13, 1941, and confirmed in her faith on June 7, 1953. She graduated from Delano High School in 1958.
She was united in marriage to Michael Makousky on September 15, 1962. They resided in St. Louis Park for four years and then moved to Maple Plain, where they resided for four years before moving to Cokato, where they raised their family.
Carol passed away peacefully in Cokato on Sunday, July 4, 2021. She had reached the age of 80 years.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Anna Schultz; husband, Michael; brother-in-law, Roger Hafften; sister-in-law, Susan Schultz; father-in-law, Milton Makousky; and mother-in-law, Dorothy Makousky.
Survivors include her children, Jon Makousky (Amy), of Cokato, Krista Yoch (Darrin), of Richfield; grandchildren, Ashley (Dylan) Kubiak, of San Diego, CA, Brooke Yoch, of Hopkins, Josh (Brit) Meyers, of Monticello; great-grandchildren, Brodee, Addisyn, Evelyn, and Charleigh Meyers, and Blaire Kubiak (born July 4, 2021); siblings, Ken Schultz, of Crystal, Cathy Hafften, of Buffalo, Dale (Barb) Schultz, of Long Beach, CA, Jan Marceau, of St. Cloud, and Jim Schultz, of Maple Plain.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church of Delano, the American Diabetes Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021, (with visitation one hour prior to service) at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 435 Bridge Avenue E. Delano, MN 55328. Visitation: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021, at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato. Interment: Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Howard Lake and Cokato, Minnesota, 320-286- 2534.
Charles Sundberg, 44
Charles Joseph Sundberg, age 44, of Delano, passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2021. He was born December 20, 1976, to Charles and Yvonne Sundberg in Minneapolis, MN, and grew up in Delano.
Joe loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and gardening. He was a man of many stories.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Yvonne Sundberg; all of his grandparents, and all of his aunts and uncles.
Joe is survived by his sisters, Faye (Dan) Eckland, Chantelle Sundberg; nephew, Jory Sundberg; great-niece, Willow; close friends, Steve Wick (Nicole Clapp), Jen Hunt, September Sherbon, Cheri Williams; Godson, Tyler Wick; his new puppy, Bo; and many other family and friends.
Joe will be greatly missed by everyone!
There will be a celebration of Joe’s life in the future.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN, 763-682-1363, www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Richard Tompkins, 85
Richard Daniel Tompkins, age 85, of Montrose, passed away Friday, July 2, 2021. He was born September 19, 1935, the son of Raymond and Lorraine (McMancle) Tompkins.
Richard was a graduate from Robbinsdale High School. He proudly served in the United States Army, joining in December or 1954 and served in Germany.
In 1991, Richard Tompkins married the love of his life, Marilyn Valli (Miller).
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lorraine Tompkins; brothers, Raymond and Robert; sister, Phyllis; and parents-in-law, Carl and Ruth Miller.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Marilyn Valli Tompkins, of Montrose; children, Carol (Tom) Parrish, of Stuart, FL, Linda (Brian) Darmer, of Crystal, Daniel (Cecilia) Tompkins, of Hopkins; step-children, Mari (Dick) Moy, of Loretto, Leann (Troy) Valli Lenz, of Waconia, Rick (Twila) Valli, of Buffalo, Greg Valli, of Buffalo, Vicki (Suresh) Dubay, of Apple Valley; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; also other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held Friday, July 16, 2021, at 4:00 PM, with visitation one hour prior at Montrose United Methodist Church in Montrose, MN. Interment at Kreidler Cemetery in Montrose, MN.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN, 763-682-1363.
Celebrations of Life
Michael Freitag
Michael Freitag, age 75, of Buffalo, MN, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, June 25, 2021.
Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at West Pulaski Park, 1900 Highway 25 North, Buffalo, MN 55313, Pavilion #7 at 1:00 pm. The park amenities include: volleyball, basketball, playground, and Frisbee Golf. Food, pop, and water provided. We will be celebrating Mike’s life with family and friends and sharing precious memories.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN, 763-682-1363, www.thepetersonchapel.com.
David Pearson
A Celebration of Life for David Pearson of Buffalo, Minn., will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation and luncheon to follow the service. All at Buffalo Free Church, 2051 50th St. NE, Buffalo, MN 55313.
Scott Quady
A Celebration of Life will be held for Scott Quady on Saturday, July 10, 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Steve and Dawn Brings residence, 7725 15th St. SW, Howard Lake, MN 55349. This will be a casual social gathering to honor Scott’s life.
