Carol Faye Cook, 88, Minot, formerly of the Kenmare area, died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in a Minot nursing home.
Carol Faye Semrau was born Sept. 29, 1923, a daughter of Felix and Leona (Buri) Semrau, on the family farm near Balfour. She was raised and educated in the Balfour and Drake areas, graduating from Balfour High School in 1940. Following her graduation, Carol Faye furthered her education by attending business college in Fargo. She worked at Manchester Biscuit and then for J.B. Semrau at the McHenry County Courthouse in Towner.
Carol Faye married Donald "Don" G. Cook on Oct. 27, 1946, in Balfour. They made their home on the Cook family farm, where they raised small grains and livestock. After retiring from farming in 2005, they moved to Kenmare and later to Minot, where they resided at the Wellington Assisted Living for two and a half years. Don passed away May 15, 2011.
Carol Faye was a member of the Evanger Lutheran Church of Norma, where she was an organist and involved in the ladies aid. She also taught Sunday school and Bible school there. She was active in many organizations, including Homemakers and Farmers Union. She served on the Kenmare Hospital Board and held several elected positions on the board.
A true farmer's wife, Carol Faye helped Don with the harvest, haying, milking cows and mowing the yard. And, of course, keeping food at the ready lunch at 10, dinner at noon, lunch at 4 and supper whenever. Her family will always remember her great homemade buns, donuts and lefse. When she wasn't cooking she was tending her flowers and vegetable garden. Many hours were spent canning vegetables and making jelly and jam. Relaxing for Carol Faye was crocheting, knitting, embroidery or counted cross stitch. Each new grandchild received a handmade afghan from grandma. She always had a sewing project nearby. Her great passion for quilt making provided numerous quilts for family and Metigoshe Ministries. You could find many of these projects with a blue ribbon at the county or state fair.
Carol Faye enjoyed spending time with family and friends. This included local sightseeing trips or tour bus excursions with Don, family reunion picnics, kitchen visits with neighbors over coffee, camping with the kids and grandkids, attending local sporting events, working on jigsaw puzzles and watching baseball and basketball on TV.
Those who shared in her life: children, Jacki (Gary) Johnson, Minot, Wanda (Robert) Schaffer, Riverdale, and Rodney (Leanne) Cook, Fargo; grandchildren, Keith (Denise) Johnson, Karen (Shane) Hannegrefs and Julie (Erik) Haas, all Minot, Rochelle Schaffer and Becky (Wyatt) Hanson, all Bismarck, Angela (Bryan) Cantlon, Michigan, Heather (Steve) Thompson, Sherwood, and Alex Cook, Fargo; great-grandchildren, Grayson and Barrett Hannegrefs, Liam Haas, Paige and Averie Hanson, Aiden Cantlon and Colby Thompson; brother, Allan (Mayvajean) Semrau, Williston; sister, Flora (Vernon) Egbers, Mount Vernon, Wash.; sister-in-law, Dorothy Cook, Kenmare; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Carol Faye was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; brothers-in-law, Clinton and Eldon; sisters-in-law, Beatrice Cook and Inez Foster; and infant twin great-granddaughters.
Memorial Service: Thursday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m., at Evanger Lutheran Church, rural Norma.
Interment: Rosehill Cemetery, rural Norma.
Visitation: There will be no reviewal but friends may the sign the register on Thursday, one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials: are preferred to an organization of the donor's choice.
Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).
Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare, is handling arrangements.
