Vernon “Pete” Cook, 80, of Clarissa, passed away on December 4, 2007, at the Long Prairie Memorial Hospital.  Funeral services for Vernon were held on Monday, December 10, 2007, 11 a.m., at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Clarissa with Pastor Melissa Ehrhardt officiating.  Burial was at Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery in Clarissa.

Vernon was born November 23, 1927 in Oak Valley Township, Ottertail County, on the family farm to Ora & Ida (Hubbard) Cook.  He attended country school through the 8th grade.  After school Vernon worked with his family on the farm.  On October 26, 1948, Vernon married Alice Juergens in Verndale.  One year later Vernon and Alice moved when Vernon took a job doing road construction.  In the fall of 1951, Vernon and his family moved to Clarissa and he started working as an operator/mechanic for Dahlman Road Construction where he worked for 23 years.  In January of 1975, Vernon and his brother, Lawrence bought the Dahlman Garage and started Cook’s Garage, fixing everything that was brought in.  They sold Cook’s Garage to Thad Olson in 1991, when Vernon retired.  In August 1996, Vernon and Alice went to work at Lake Carlos State Park as Camp Hosts and maintenance workers and have worked there every summer until the present time.  Vernon enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a handyman who enjoyed a challenge when it came to fixing things.  He was a retired member of the Clarissa Fire Department, including several years as chief, member of Clarissa Lions and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Clarissa. 

Vernon is survived by his wife Alice of Clarissa, children:  Leonard (Faye) Cook of Moorhead, James (Alison) Cook of Redmond, Washington, Janet (Rock) Cook of Yuma, Arizona, David (Kathy) Cook of Beaverton, Oregon, Peter (Darcy) Cook of Rosemount, brother Marvin (Joan) of Alexandria, sister in law, Doris Cook of Clarissa and 8 grandchildren.  

Vernon is preceded in death by his parents, brother Lawrence, sister Alma Warwick and an infant sister.