Alice (Juergens) Cook

Alice Dessie Lucile Juergens was born to William (Bill) and Irene (Redden) Juergens in Bertha, MN on August 10, 1930, baptized on September 14, 1930, and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 13, 1944. She attended primary and secondary school s in Verndale, MN and graduated from High School in 1948.  On October 26, 1948 she married Vernon Cook and they began their life of 59 years together.  While Vernon began his job working on road construction, Alice began her life as a housewife and mother.  She was active in both Our Savior’s and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Churches in Clarissa.  She also acted as a Den Mother for a group of Cub Scouts.  In addition to her volunteer activities, Alice worked as a bookkeeper at the Co-op Store, the Surge Dairy business, and at Cook’s Garage.  Later she became a home assessor, worked with senior citizens helping with tax preparation, and even served as a Justice of the Peace for Clarissa for a short time.  After Vernon retired from Cook’s Garage, they enjoyed traveling, then began acting as campground hosts at Lake Carlos State Park near Alexandria, MN.  As campground hosts, they made many new friends and became like family to the Park staff.  They served in this capacity for 12 years until Vernon’s death in 2007.  Alice was able to continue as a host for another eight years before the job became too much for her.  One of her special skills was knitting and crocheting dishcloths, baby blankets, and afghans.  Many friends and family treasure these special gifts.  

In later years, Alice spent the winters with her daughter Janet in Yuma, AZ where she became “Mom” to a whole new family of friends.  After a wonderful cruise to Alaska in 2018, she realized that she needed to move into the Centra Care nursing home in Long Prairie, MN where she made more friends and received great care.  Alice died peacefully in her sleep on June 10, 2020. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, a sister Elizabeth, and her husband Vernon.  Alice is survived by her children Leonard (Faye) Cook of Moorhead, MN; James (Alison) Cook of Redmond, WA; Janet (Jack) Cook of Yuma, AZ; David (Kathy) Cook of Beaverton, OR; and Peter (Julie) Cook of Faribault, MN.  She has eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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