Edward Cota

Edward Cota, of Red Lake Falls, MN, passed away from Alzheimers on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Villa St Vincent, Crookston, MN at the age of 90 years, 3 months and 14 days, surrounded by his loving family. May the memory of Ed be blessed.
Mass of Christian burial for Ed will be held 11:00 AM on Friday May 19, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Bob Schreiner Officiating. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery near Red Lake Falls, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Edward Joseph Cota was born January 28, 1933, in Crookston, MN, the 17th and last child of Napoleon and Imelda (Huot) Cota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Dorothy Catholic Church in Dorothy, MN. His younger years were spent in a country school near Crookston, and he then attended Lafayette High School, graduating in 1950.
Ed entered the US Army February 17, 1954, and served his country until his honorable discharge on February 16, 1956. He returned to Red Lake Falls and worked at Thibert Chevrolet as an auto mechanic until he joined the US Post Office in 1962, first as a clerk in both the Red Lake Falls and Thief River Falls offices before he became a Red Lake Falls rural route carrier in 1980. He retired in 1998 and always said it was not the job he missed, but the people.
On October 13, 1956, he was united in marriage to Cheri Ann Leach at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. To this union four children were born Sandy, Peggy, Nancy and Tim. The couple made their home in Red Lake Falls and resided in the same home for their entire lives, creating strong neighborhood friendships that have endured the years including the Gervais's, Herding's and Kalbakdalen's.
Ed and Cheri Ann purchased a lake cabin in 1974 at Arneson's Rocky Point on Lake of the Woods. Shortly thereafter, his brother Henry purchased an adjoining property where endless memories have been created. If it was raining or too windy to fish, there was always a game of jarts, twenty-one, or six-five-four happening. "I'll bet you two-bits" was heard daily whether it be on first or biggest fish or who could throw the frisbee through a crook in the tree. This legacy will continue through the generations as both properties remain in the family.
Ed was active at Oak Knolls Golf Course for many years as both ground maintenance and as a golfer. He always looked forward to his weekly rounds with close friends, Jr., Maynard and George for many years. He was a member of the American Legion for 60 years, served as Legion Commander in 1976, and the honor guard throughout the years. In 1969, Ed became a member of the volunteer ambulance service. Ed hunted deer with his brother Henry and the Boutain family for many years in the Dorothy area. Ed enjoyed woodworking and would spend endless hours in his shop building various items for gifts or for anyone that asked. His family teased him that they hoped they never had to take any of his projects apart, just when he had enough screws in it, he would add two or more for good measure. In the late 1980's he began his restoration of a 1951 Chevrolet Fleet Liner Deluxe with the help of Linus and Craig Schmitz which he has proudly driven in various parades throughout the years.
Ed is survived by his children; Sandy (Alan) Stokke of Fargo, ND, Peggy (Rob) Nordstrom of Fergus Falls, MN, Nancy Cota of Red Lake Falls, MN and Tim Cota of Silt, CO: grandchildren Nicholas (Teresa) Stokke, Christopher (Mariah) Stokke and Alyssa (Danny) Stausch, Nikki (Craig) Stewart, Trish (Dustin) Puffe, Ryan Finkenbinder, Eli Nordstrom and great-grandchildren Dezi Puffe, Alana Stewart, Hailey Stokke, Harper Stokke, and newborn twins, Emerson and Parker Stokke; brother-in-law Lawrence Leach of Thief River Falls, MN, along with many nieces and nephews.
Ed is preceded in death by his wife Cheri Ann, parents Napoleon and Imelda; brothers Lyzum, Medi, Henry, Leo and Adelore Cota as well as three in infancy; sisters Celia Guzek, Mabel Mercil, Sr. Imelda Cota, Leda Weiland, Viola Fitzsimmons, Sr. Raphael Cota, Alice Sirek, Mildred Vilven; and special God daughter Shelly Schindler along with several nieces and nephews.
CASKET BEARERS (Grandchildren):
Nicholas Stokke
Teresa Stokke
Christopher Stokke
Alyssa Stausch
Danny Stausch
Ryan Finkenbinder
Trish Puffe