Peterson Brothers Funeral Home

07/28/2025

07/25/2025

While funerals of the past were more cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all style events, that’s not true anymore. Check out this article to learn more about funeral personalization and how it’s changing the way we honor and remember the lives of those we love.

Funerals aren't one-size-fits-all. In fact, funeral personalization is key to creating a meaningful and healing tribute. Click for more!

07/23/2025

Have you ever had an online account hacked? Maybe you got locked out or were erased from the platform. If you need to recover from being hacked, check out this article. cutt.ly/regain-control-of-hacked-accounts

07/23/2025

Ellen Dianne Larson

Ellen D. Larson, age 82, of Willmar, passed away Friday, July 18, at her residence following an extended illness.

Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

View Ellen Dianne Larson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/23/2025

Agnes Gertrude Schwanke

The Funeral service will be live-streamed at: https://www.ourlivingwater.org/agnesschwanke.html

Agnes G. (Spartz) Schwanke, age 85, of Willmar, died Sunday, July 20th, at Cura of Willmar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, July 28th, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar, Minnesota. Interment will be in Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery in Willmar. Visita on will be from 5-7 PM Sunday at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday. You can find more information at www.petersonbrothers.com.

Agnes Gertrude Spartz was born on January 21, 1940, in New London Township, the daughter of Sylvester and Sophie (Nord) Spartz. When Agnes was four years old, her mother passed away from tuberculosis. She grew up on the family farm and received her education in New London Spicer. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith. On June 11, 1960, she was united in marriage to Virgil Schwanke at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Willmar.

Agnes dedicated her career to various roles, including secretary for Kandiyohi County Health Services and School Districts. For over 60 years, she managed bookkeeping at Schwanke Tractor and Truck. Later, she worked at S & F Supply Inc., starting in bookkeeping before becoming their manager, eventually retiring after over 50 years with the company. At St. Mary's Catholic Church, she was an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society, taught Religious Education, sang in the Resurrection Choir, and volunteered to serve many meals. Those who knew her enjoyed her kindness, warm smile, and sense of humor. She cherished taking her grandkids on many adventurous "Grandma trips" each summer. Her hobbies included collecting antiques and attending auctions. Traveling across the country with her husband Virgil to see many sites, especially those with bright lights, was always memorable and fun. She was truly married to her best friend.

Agnes is survived by her daughter Connie (and David) Burns of Spicer; her son Tung (and Dieu) Huynh of Garden Grove, California; and her daughter-in-law, Sharon Paler of New Prague. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Mark (and Nicole) Schwanke, Angela (and Justin) Paffrath, Matthew (and Andrea Hannem) Burns, Sarah (and Adam Callier) Burns, Anna (and Mercedes) Halaska, and Leyna Huynh. Additionally, she leaves behind seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, one sister, Marion Person of Eden Prairie, two brothers, Charles (and Gerlinda) Spartz of Noblesville, Indiana, and Ambrose Spartz of Hartford City, Indiana, one brother-in-law, Norman Schueler of Willmar, and one sister-in-law, Sheila Spartz of Noblesville, Indiana, besides other relatives and friends.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband Virgil; her son Michael; her parents Sylvester and Sophie; two brothers, Lawrence and Vernon Spartz; two brothers-in-law, Bill Person and Eldin (Bud) Schwanke; and three sisters-in-law, Eleanor Schwanke, Mary Spartz, and Carol Schueler.

View Agnes Gertrude Schwanke's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/23/2025

Carl Norman Kjos

Carl N. Kjos, age 73, of Willmar, passed away Monday, July 21, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. Interment will be at the Sunburg Free Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Carl Norman Kjos was born on July 1, 1952, in Glenwood, Minnesota, the son of Arnold and Esther (Medalen) Kjos. He grew up in the Brooten community, graduated from Brooten High School in 1971 and then served briefly in the U.S. Army. During the mid-70's Carl worked at the Holiday Inn in Willmar and at Wilmar Poultry Company. On November 16, 1974, in Wells, Minnesota, Carl was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Meyer. They made their home in Wells prior to moving to Willmar. He worked at Jennie-O Foods, Gurley Foods and West Central Industries. He enjoyed singing and hunting in his earlier years.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean of Willmar; several nieces and nephews; and a brother-in-law, Bruce Peterson of Sunburg, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Colleen Peterson and two brothers, Fred Kjos and Hanley Wiig.

View Carl Norman Kjos's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/22/2025

Losing a spouse can feel like you’re losing your whole support system. As a result, you may find yourself shouldering more responsibilities at home and feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Just remember - losing a spouse doesn’t mean you have to live without support. Instead, build up your support system by reaching out to family, friends, neighbors, and even co-workers. You don’t have to do life alone - people will stand with you!

If you would like assistance finding local grief resources, please let us know. We’re here to help you both before and after the funeral.

07/21/2025

None of us like to think about death, let alone plan for it. But, by preplanning your funeral, you actually make things easier for your family in the future.
With a few conversations now, you can relieve your loved ones of the need to make important personal and financial decisions at a time of great stress and grief. Plus, by preplanning today, you can enjoy the years ahead even more fully, knowing that your family is protected and everything is taken care of.
To learn more, watch this brief testimonial from someone just like you! Then, if you have more questions, call us at (320) 235-1651.

07/20/2025

Ice cream has been around for thousands of years, and we can’t seem to get enough of it. What was your favorite flavor as a kid, and is it different now?

07/18/2025

Music can help us express our feelings in a way words alone often can’t, which is why personalizing the music at a funeral or celebration of life is so important. If your loved one grew up in the 1940s – or just loved 1940s music – here are 10 songs you can incorporate into their service.

Want to incorporate music from the 1940s in your loved one's celebration of life? Check out our list for 10 beautiful options.