Ethel I. Cope

Ethel Irene Cope entered into eternal life on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the age of 100. She most recently lived at Eventide on Eighth Nursing Home in Moorhead.

Ethel was born July 13, 1915, at Erdahl, MN Grant Co the daughter of Gilbert and Anna L. Hanson. She was baptized and confirmed at Erdahl Lutheran Church and graduated from 8th grade in 1930 from District 6.

Ethel and Orville W. Cope were united in marriage on November 16, 1933, in Jamestown, ND. They spent their early-married years in Woodworth, ND, Billings, MT, and Fargo, ND. Later they farmed near Hawley and Lake Park, MN. They retired from farming and moved to Moorhead. Orville passed away on January 24, 1970.

Ethel worked in housekeeping at St. Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead for 15 years. She retired at the age of 70. After her retirement, she had a daycare in her home for 10 years.
She enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens. Ethel was known for her expertise in making lefse and passed down the tradition to her children. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.

Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory are her five children, Joan Jensen, Jean Darrel Jensen of Moorhead, MN, Darlene Sandal of Glyndon, MN, Gerald Bonnie Cope of Dutton, VA, Phyllis Swenson of St. Paul, MN; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; two grandchildren, Gary Cope and Mark Sandal; sons-in-law, Vernon Jensen, Bud Sandal and Arnie Swenson; two sisters, Myrtle Johnson and Avis Mayem; and two brothers, George Hanson and Palmer Hanson.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Eventide and Hospice of the Red River Valley for their role in making Ethel’s last years more comfortable.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 7, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Interment will be at Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead, MN.