L.W. "John" Cook

L.W. "John" Cook, 92, of Neche, ND passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at his home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 17, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation at the church on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services. Burial in the Neche Union Cemetery.


L.W. was the fifth child of eight, and the eldest son of Edwin and Bertha (Resler) Cook. He started at a young age doing a man's work. He especially enjoyed working with and being with farm animals. Horses were his favorite and he enjoyed raising cattle. The ponies were his retirement joy.
He enlisted in the Army February of 1942, after basic training, and then served a 40 month campaign in the South Pacific in the 40th Infantry Division 108th Infantry Regiment. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant at the end of WWII and received many medals.
On August 20, 1950, L.W. was united in marriage with Doris Taylor in the Neche United Methodist Church. To this union, one son was born, D. Paul Cook, on August 4, 1952.
L.W. spent many hard years as a laborer for many area farmers, who also realized his good work ethics. After returning home from the Army, he again worked for farmers and also worked in potato warehouses in Neche. He became owner of Cook's Bar in Neche and operated it for one and a half long years. This was not his life and he was able to sell it. He went back to farm labor for one season and then was given the opportunity to rent land himself, his life's dream. From there he expanded and enjoyed the life of planting and harvesting. He was a good farmer and especially loved the challenge of raising sugar beets.
L.W. was a family man; he was happy to be home with no more traveling and often thought a lot about his Cook relatives, especially his uncle Bill. His mind was very good right to the last and he did a lot of talking about his lifelong friends, which helped him through the lonely hours.
He is also survived by his sister Bernice Lofgren of Minneapolis.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Cook, sisters: Beatrice Keller, Mildred Erickson, Marge Kenn, Juel Cook, and Clara Anderson.
He passed away at his home on September 14, 2011 at the age of 92 years, under the care of Hospice.