Howard R. “Swede” Swenson, 78, Forest Lake, died from cancer on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009.

A Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, Dec. 5 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Forest Lake, with interment at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Frances; children, Randall (Mary), Michelle (Chuck) Drury, Deborah (Curt) Moen, Susan (Daniel) Haakenson, Mark (Rose), David (Abby) and Tom; 23 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and one sister, Gwen Geske.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Abbie Pearl; and one granddaughter, Kaitlyn.

Memorials are preferred to the family and may be in sent of Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 SW Centennial Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025. 

Lucy B. Beckman, 98, East Bethel, a native of Linwood Township, died at her home on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.

A funeral service was Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Mattson Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Interment was at Linwood Township Cemetery, Linwood.

She is survived by her daughters, Bessie (Pat) Kenney, Glenda (Don) Fradenburgh and Esther Sink; daughter-in-law Marge Beckman; 12 grandchildren; many great and great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Mary Ann (Grant) Ruffcorn; husband Walter Beckman; three brothers; five sisters; one son, Walter Douglas Beckman; one grandson, Duane Beckman; sons-in-law Brad Schwartz and Gary Sink; one daughter-in-law, Rita (Meis) Beckman.

Peter P. Book, 81, Forest Lake, died Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army.

A funeral service was Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, LaValle; children, Kathy (Jay) Scoggin, David (Anne) Book and Lori (Mike) Slack; grandchildren, Dessia, Lee, Peter and Katherine; two sisters, Mary Whitlow and Margaret Skaar; three brothers, George (Lucy) Book, John Book and Tom Book; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Katherine Book; four brothers, Alec, Mac, Bill and Jack; one sister, Annie Sorenson.

Memorials are preferred to the Hospice of the Twin Cities or the American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 SW Centennial Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

Anne E. Mathias, 87, Forest Lake, formerly of St. Paul, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009.

A family graveside service took place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

She is survived by one  daughter, Joanne (Tom) Donohue; sons, Joe “Dick” (Tillie) and Jack (Donna); 8 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; one brother, Carl (Beverly) Stampfle; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; one son, Jim; one grandson, Patrick Donohue; and one sister, Marie Kunz.

Memorials are preferred to donor’s choice and may be sent in care of Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 SW Centennial Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025

Marcella “Marcie” Milliren, 87, North Branch, formerly of Forest Lake and Postville, IA, died  Friday, Nov. 27, 2009.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 4 at Faith Lutheran Church 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  

Interment will be at a later date in Postville, IA.

She is survived by her daughter, Gwen (Milt) Patrick; many nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by six siblings.

Donald Alfred Nelson, 82, Forest Lake, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. He was a longtime educator in the Forest Lake Area School District.

He was memorialized with military honors and prayers on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

He is survived by one son, Donald Nelson, Jr.; one daughter, Norma Nelson; one sister, Delores (Floyd) Marker; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Martha Nelson, Sioux City, IA.

Elmer T. Peterson, 90, Forest Lake, formerly of East Bethel, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3 at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evelyn; daughters, Lois (Stephen) Junker and Deborah Peterson; grandchildren, Jonathan Junker, Laura (Brandon) DeRosier, Lisa (Brett) Pearson and Andrew Junker; five great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews and others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Axel and Alma Peterson; siblings, Carroll Peterson, Lillian Erickson and Ralph Peterson.

Memorials are preferred to the family and may be sent in care of Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 SW Centennial Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025.