Knowing of her love and skill in raising beautiful flowers and gardens, I can imagine that God saw the suffering and asked our Mom to join him to tend gardens in Heaven. Once she saw that her work on Earth was over, and her family will be safe in God’s hands, Mom decided to join him in his gardens for everlasting peace. I believe that God was so happy that she was joining him in his gardens that he painted the skies with the Northern Lights last week to welcome her home.
Dorene Louise (Champagne) Cote (2/28/1936 -5/12/2024) passed away surrounded by her family and husband Maurice on Sunday May 12th, 2024, at the Benedictine Living Community in Crookston, MN.
Dorene was a 1956 graduate of Pershing High School in Plummer, MN. Her senior quote was “I speak in a monstrous little voice once I get started.” As one of her seven children, I can attest that little lady could speak loudly when needed.
Dorene was joined in matrimony to Maurice Cote on January 4, 1958. They moved to Racine, WI in 1959 and lived there for almost 10 years when they decided to move back to Minnesota. They settled on a farm near Mentor, MN where Dorene was a stay-at-home mother raising their seven children and working on the farm raising crops, cattle, pigs, and chickens. She also worked for Lady Slipper, Inc. for many years sewing from home making stuffed animals. Once her children began to graduate school and leave home, she enrolled in classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. She began work as a CNA at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, MN where she worked for many years. She briefly worked at the turkey processing plant in Thief River Falls before “retiring” by working at the Eagle Square Deli in Red Lake Falls part-time. Our mother loved to garden and had huge gardens with vegetables and flowers. She loved plants and flowers and I honestly believe that she was happiest when she was in the garden planting, pulling weeds or harvesting the bounty of her crop.
Dorene was preceded in death by parents: Amedie & Delima Champagne; brothers Onezime Champagne & wife Henriette; William Champagne & wife Norma; Elmer Champagne & wife Theresa; sisters Louella Bushaw & husband Ron; and Dorene’s twin sister Lorene Westman (Glen), Scott Cote (son), Samantha Cote (granddaughter) and other nieces, nephews and friends.
Dorene is survived by her husband Maurice Cote; sons Rodney Cote (Rochelle) Oslo, MN; Marc Cote (Dorie) Sauk Rapids, MN; Jim Cote (Kim) Mazeppa, MN; daughters Nancy Lindquist, Oslo, MN; Mary Ann Anderson (Bruce) St Michael, MN; Barb Yanish (Dave) East Grand Forks, MN; and her sister Marion Martell (Red Lake Falls). Grandchildren: April Henriksen (Jason), Ryan Anderson (Christine), Adam Lindquist, Aimee Cote (Kevin Barry), Jacob Cote, Emily Cote, Brady Anderson, Alyssa Cote, Stephanie Yanish, Dan Cote, Cody Yanish, Christian Cote, Annie Bea Cote and eight great-grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Graveside Celebration of Life for Dorene will be held Friday, May 17th at 10am at the Saint Anthony of Paudua Cemetery in Terrebonne, MN. A small luncheon to precede after the celebration of life at the Terrebonne Community Hall located down the street. The service will be officiated by Deacon John Bruggeman, St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Red Lake Falls, MN
Services proved by Obit, Thief River Falls, MN
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to either one of these organizations that the family has chosen:
Benedictine Living foundation
BenedictineLiving.org/Giving/Memorials-Honorariums/
or
St Anthony Cemetery
Attn: Doug Derosier (Sexton)
21969 140th Ave SE
Red Lake Falls, MN 56750
(Cemetery upkeep and maintenance – check only made payable to and mailed to)
Map link to Saint Anthony of Paudua Cemetery in Terrebonne, MN:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/St+Anthony+Cemetery,+Red+Lake+Falls,+MN+56750/@47.8338961,-96.1380209,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x52c7a5d741e53e67:0x28a4c60036c5d322!8m2!3d47.8336581!4d-96.1357689!16s%2Fg%2F11bvtbk3cn?entry=ttu
# Dorene Cote, #