Obituaries 12/28/23

Donald Goodale, 66

Donald Robert Goodale, “Doc,” age 66, of Buffalo, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. He was born August 29, 1957, to Kenneth and Anna Marie (Peppersack) Goodale in Watertown, Minnesota.

Doc was a motorcycle enthusiast his entire life. He loved to ride, travel, and spend time with family and friends. He was the most genuine, loving, giving man. Doc grew up in Delano and graduated from Delano High School in 1976. He went to Willmar Community College and then a career as a heavy equipment mechanic. The nickname of Doc was given to him by a coworker because he could fix everything and anything. Doc retired in February of 2022 from Tri State Drilling and began enjoying his retirement. He was an adaptable man, making friends everywhere he went. You would not have met a more genuine man, full of life, love, and caring. He loved the outdoors and took many adventures. Doc lived to ride and loved to hunt. Living life on his own terms.  

Doc was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Marie Goodale.  

He is survived by the love of his life, Suz Bedell; best dog, Daisy; father, Kenneth Goodale; siblings, Jerry (Debbie) Goodale, Ramona Goodale Hagen, Jeffrey (Vickie) Goodale, Douglas (Candi) Goodale, Ryan (Amy) Goodale; niece and nephews, Justin Goodale, Tony Goodale, Dominic Goodale, Jennifer (Zach) Dierkhising, Dylan Hagen; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

 Visitation took place on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota, with an 8 p.m. prayer service.

Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota.

Todd Peterson, 59

Todd Peterson, age 59, of Walker, MN, passed away on December 9, 2023. He was born to Archie and Myrna Peterson on March 6, 1964, in Buffalo, MN. Todd owned his own trucking company, Peterson Trucking, for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outdoors.

Todd is survived by his mother, Myrna, of Buffalo; brothers, Michael (Jane), of Eagle River, Ontario, Dennis (Lori), of Buffalo, Jeff (Paige), of Maple Grove, Randy, Rick (Traci) of Zimmerman; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Archie. 

Services will be at 1 P.M. on Saturday, December 30, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Backus, MN. 

Arrangements with Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, MN.

MaryAnn Sicora, 93

MaryAnn “Birdie” (Bernhardt) Sicora, age 93, of Buffalo, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. She was born on February 11, 1930, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Joseph and Emilia (Gorski) Bernhardt. MaryAnn graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1948. She was introduced to Thomas Sicora on a blind date arranged by Thomas’ sister, Marge. Thomas and Birdie were married on January 20, 1951. Thomas and Birdie were blessed with eight children (“four of each kind,” as she would say). Birdie worked at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Brown Photo, and Title Insurance before focusing her efforts at home to support her family.

Birdie enjoyed creating expansive gardens wherever she lived that brought so much joy to her family and neighbors. She loved traveling (especially to Hawaii to visit family), the color teal, red cardinals, music, and dancing (she was known to be the last to leave the dance floor). Birdie was a very creative soul who brought a special flair to everything she did and a limitless spirit of curiosity to the world. She always had a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes, and a smile on her face. She fostered connection with others through her eagerness to start conversations with anyone and everyone. Birdie brought joy and humor into the lives of all she touched throughout her long and full life. 

Birdie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas of 68 years; her parents, Joseph and Emilia; siblings, Barnaby, Henry, Margaret, and Irene; her son, Thomas M. Sicora; and granddaughters, Sarah Stradinger and Hannah Sicora.

Birdie is survived by her children, Dean Sicora, Mary (Warren White) Sicora, Diane Filibeck, Rita (David Riess) Sicora, Lynn (Charlie Mutch) Sicora, Robert Sicora, and Wayne (Kristina Halverson) Sicora; twelve grandchildren, James, Mary, Rachel, Wade, Kristen, Jennifer, Ryan, Carly, Michael, Britta, Luke and Leif; twelve great-grandchildren, Deymon, Emilia, Malia, Gavin, Ty, Ezra, Haddie, Kendra, Amalie, Talia, Esme, and Mila-Kim; cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Roger Swanson, 85

Roger Dale Swanson, age 85, of Buffalo, MN, comforted by family, peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at The Estates of Roseville.

Roger was born on December 19,1937, in Big Lake, MN, the 11th child of 15 to Freeman and Evelyn (Norberg) Swanson. He grew up in Big Lake and attended Big Lake High School. In 1955, after high school, Roger joined the US AIR FORCE and completed his basic training at Amarillo Air Force base in Texas. He also graduated from the Hospital Corps school in San Diego, CA. He served for four years as a medical services specialist. He received an honorable discharge in 1959. In 1960, just one year later he enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged due to back issues in 1961. He then returned home to Minnesota and attended St. Cloud Business College, specializing in accounting.

Roger married Mary Arnold on June 16, 1956, and on Aug 5, 1956, they welcomed their son, Todd Russell. On July 10, 1961, Roger married the love of his life, Pearl Psyk, and welcomed her children, Cindra and Jack to their family. The years 1962 and 1964 brought the births of Glory Bea and Adam Jordan.

Over the years, the family moved from Park Rapids to Duluth, Two Harbors, New Richmond, WI, then Vadnais Heights, Maple Grove, New Hope, then finally Buffalo. Roger worked various jobs during this time at Mr Electric, Doboy, SCI (Scientific Computers Inc.), and then for the US Postal Service at Fort Snelling as a database administrator for 26 years, retiring in 1999.

Early hobbies Roger enjoyed were frog hunting, horseback riding, leather stamping, cartoon drawing (he was really good), agate collecting on the North Shore, and gardening. Then, he had several experimenting “phases,” such as making cheese, pies, banana bread, and wine!

Roger was an avid Guitar and Banjo player and also played the Dobro, Mandolin, Harmonica, and would also sing! He was passionate about teaching and bringing joy to others by giving music lessons and going to Music Jams all around Wright Co. with his granddaughter, Marci, and wife, Pearl, his biggest fans. He enjoyed Classic Country, Bluegrass, and Gospel music.

Roger was an expert at crossword puzzles with an immense vocabulary, he also loved playing cards and games and loved to gamble. Roger and Pearl went on countless Casino trips together, then after Pearl passed, he started playing pull tabs and enjoyed going to Bingo a couple times a week with his granddaughter, Marci. He was a family man who was proud of his children and grandchildren, was hands on and lived in the moment. He would light up around children, as he himself was like a big kid at heart. Roger was very generous, donating to various charities, helping people in need without judgement, had a warm welcoming smile for you, while always holding a door open for the ladies!

Roger’s smile and that big black cowboy hat will be sadly missed! In his own words, he says not to mourn him as he has had a full and wonderful tour of duty on Terra Firma!

Preceding him in death were his parents and twelve brothers and sisters; first wife, Mary; second wife, Pearl; daughter, Glory; son, Todd; and grandson, Todd II.

Roger is survived by stepdaughter, Cindra, of Motley; stepson, Jack, of Washougal; son, Adam (Joni), of Maple Grove; sons-in-law, Paul and Chuck; grandchildren, Pamela, Marcelle (Steve), Tiffany, Tabitha, and Trisha (DJ); step-grandchildren, Mathew (Mika), Tareana (Rob), Troy, Mandy (Tony), Trevor (Kathleen), Charlie and Tara (Peter); great-grandchildren, Parker and Emmet; step-great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Natalie, Jonah, Annabelle, Charlotte, Kayla, Jacob, Savannah, Alexis, Karissa, Brooklyn, Kennedy, and Kale; great-great-grandson, Levi; sister, Katherine (Cookie); and brother, Gary.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Roger Swanson will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. Father Nathaniel Meyers will be the Celebrant.  

Entombment with military rites St. Francis Cemetery Mausoleum. A Luncheon will follow.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 4-7 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

Casket Bearers will be Paul Kasper, Chuck Otten, Douglas Psyk, Steve Kramer, Chris Hegna, and Mathew Pittman.

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