Edythe Nelson Cook, 95
Edythe Nelson Cook, 95, of Lancaster, Minnesota passed away at home
surrounded by family on Saturday, April 19th, 2014. Edythe Helen
Gateson, a daughter of Abraham and Alvina Gateson, was born January
20, 1919 on the family farm outside of Ridgeville, Manitoba. She
attended school at Overstoneville Country School near her home.
Edythe and her sisters drove a very special pony named “Frank” the
three miles to the school. Edythe left home after school to work in
a munitions factory near Toronto, Ontario as Canada had entered World
War II prior to the United States. She returned home and married
Rudy Nelson of Lancaster, MN. Rudy and Edythe made their homestead
in Richardville Township where they lived and worked raising
livestock, small grains, and their two daughters, Cheryll and Sandra.
Off the farm, Edythe worked many years for the U.S. Postal Service at
the postal office in Orleans, MN. Rudy and Edythe retired from
farming in 1968. They enjoyed spending their winters at the Fountain
of Youth Spa near the Salton Sea in California. Edythe endured two
tragedies in her life; first, she lost her daughter Cheryll in 1973,
and in 1983, Rudy passed away unexpectedly. Edythe spent many years
with her family in Lancaster and friends in California before meeting
LaMond Cook. Edythe and LaMond married in 1991. They split their
time between the Spa, LaMond’s home in Shelley, ID, and Lancaster.
Edythe and LaMond enjoyed horseshoes, travel, and simply being
together. Edythe always had a special love for dancing, sewing, and
painting. She was a regular attendee of Lancaster Covenant Church.
Edythe is survived by her husband LaMond; a daughter, Sandy (Greg)
Wilson of Lancaster, MN; grandchildren, Cheri (Shawn) Lyberg,
Humboldt, Heather (George) Hanson, Lancaster, Shannon (Erik) Finney,
Lancaster, John (Kelly) Wilson, Lancaster, Amber Pedraza, Hallock,
and Jamie (Justin) Turner, Hallock; and twenty great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.??Edythe was preceded
in death by her daughter Cheryll, her first husband Rudy, by her
parents, her seven sisters; Hilda, Emma, Tilly, Esther, Sarah,
Violet, Evelyn, and an infant sister Rosalee.
Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2014 at 11:00
a.m. in the Lancaster Covenant Church, Pastor Galen Nordin presiding.
Special music by Pastor Nordin and Erik Finney, and Janelle Hostrup,
organist. Interment will be in Lancaster Cemetery, Lancaster.
The Austin Funeral Home of Hallock is in charge of arrangements.
