Fern Cooke

Fern Estella Boyer Cooke, age 83, Bismarck, left our world on November 5, 2006. We will miss her so much but we know that she is now reunited with other loved ones who have gone before. Services will be held at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck on Thursday, November 9, at 1:00 PM with Reverend Arthur Scanson officiating. A memorial luncheon will follow. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 9 am - 9 pm at Eastgate Funeral Service at 2302 East Divide in Bismarck and one hour prior to the services at the church. Fern was born on December 4, 1922, to Albert Julius Boyer and his wife Evelyn Estella Hurtley Boyer at the home of her maternal grandparents, Oliver and Jessie Freemont Nogle Hurtley, near Burt, ND. She grew up on her paternal grandparents, Magnus Nels and Nellie Jensen Boyer, farm south of New Leipzig. After Fern graduated from high school, she attended Dickinson State Teacher College where she met a handsome fellow by the name of Herbert Wesley Cooke. She earned her teacher's certificate in 1942 and taught at Lorin School district in rural Grant County. On June 2, 1943, she married Herbert and they lived in Dickinson until after the birth of Judy, Dean, and Wyatt. In 1950 they moved to the New Leipzig area where they added Marlette, Alice, and Lorin to their family. The family moved to Hettinger in 1962 and Fern worked in local cafes and then for 14 years at the Community Memorial Hospital. In 1983 she moved to the Bismarck area living at St. Anthony, Mandan, and Bismarck. Herbert's family were long time Methodists, so Fern joined the Methodist Church. In Hettinger she was on the board that helped plan their new church. She was a member of the United Methodist Women UMW in Dickinson, Hettinger and Bismarck. This Circle of Ladies were always her special friends. Fern was a voracious reader; she read the paper, books to her children, books in the kitchen as shown by the stains, books while she rode in the car and books half the night. When macular degeneration began to rob her of her vision she was greatly saddened and turned her attention to the television. Fern loved gardening especially her Heavenly Blue morning glories. On the practical side she grew huge vegetable gardens to help feed the family. Later in life Fern discovered the joy of being a clown. Her character of "Granma" was loved by children and adults. Many friends still know her affectionately by that name. The highlight of her clowning career was a trip to Bognor Regis, England for a World Clown Conference. Her seamstress talents were put to use sewing costumes which helped her fellow family clowns win awards. Fern was a Life Member of the Missouri Valley Historical Society. She was active when they established the historical town of Buckstop Junction and enthusiastically served as a board member. She was so proud of the wonderful place that has grown from this vision. Fern moved to the Missouri Slope Care Center, Bismarck, in November of 2004. We wish to thank them for the loving care they gave Mom over the past two years. We would also like to thank all her friends and family for their many visits and kindnesses. Fern is survived by three daughters, Judith Fried, Marlette Darrel Pittman, of Bismarck, Alice Mike Dempsey, Wisconsin; two sons, Dean, Bismarck and Wyatt, Elgin, ND. She leaves four brothers, Willard Margaret Boyer, Elgin ND, Kenneth Leona Boyer, Colorado, Donald Millie Boyer, California, and Ralph Ruth Boyer, Elgin, ND; and one sister Lucille Boyer, Dickinson ND. She also leaves seven grandchildren, Rick Fried, Kevin Lisa Fried, Mary Dean Grenstiner, Fern Jeremy Wedekind, Karen Cooke, Anita Fried and Kendllena Scott Muir. Her great-grandchildren are Sue and Michelle Grenstiner, Elliot Ellie Fried, Ethan Wedekind and a baby girl Muir coming in January 07. Fern was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one son, Lorin Cooke; one grandson, Raymond Fried; one brother, Harold; and a baby sister.

Fern Cooke

December 4, 1922 - November 5, 2006