Loren D. Wood Sr.

Loren D. Wood Sr., 87, Cook, graduated to Heaven on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at the Cook Hospital. 
He was born Loren Dean Wood on July 19, 1928, in St. Joseph, Illinois, where he grew up on the family farm, which included animals like pigs and chickens. He had memorable times hunting and fishing with his father, brother and uncles. The family moved to Lincoln, Illinois when he was 15 years old, He went to work at Stetson China Company until he joined the Marine Corps at 17 years old. Loren served during World War II. and spent his 18th birthday with the Marines in China, where he learned to operate a 155 artillery gun. 
He married Mariann Wilson in 1947, they had almost 68 years together! 
To this union they were blessed with two children, Loren Jr. “Dean” and Shirley. 
He leased and operated the Shell Station in Lincoln for two years, then in 1951, was called back in the Marine Corps to serve in the Korean War. 
After his tour of duty, he was a truck driver for Melvin Trucking Company for ten years. 
Loren, Mariann and family moved to Cook in the fall of 1959. They came because of their love of Lake Vermilion and fishing. Loren worked for Century Motor Freight for 28 years, working both locally and over the road, and as a dispatcher. He drove one million miles without an accident! 
In 1988 Loren retired and enjoyed working around the farm, golfing, boating and traveling with Mariann. The family enjoyed the cabin Loren built on Schmidt Island for many years as well as their lake lot on Lake Vermilion. He was an avid fisherman, and because of that his family and friends enjoyed many, many fish fries. 
Loren was an active member of the Cook Covenant Church, where he served as chairman, Sunday School Teacher, and many other positions. He was a man who lived out his faith in God quietly day by day. 
He was a lifelong member of Vermilion Fairways where he served as Chairman of the Board for several years. He also was a member of the Sportsman’s Club of Lake Vermilion and of the China Marines. 
He is preceded in death by a son, Loren “Dean” Wood Jr.; 4 sisters, twins- Marie Wood (1932) and Marion Knott (1999), Loren’s twin sister-Lois Ramlow (1986) and Iris Elsas (1994); and one brother, Allen Wood (2007) 
Loren is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Mariann; 1 daughter, Shirley (Charles) Nicholas of Cook; 3 grandchildren: Mandy Wood, Cam Nicholas and Trevor (Renee) Nicholas; a great grandson, Braden Johnson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends, including longtime neighbor and friends of 56 years Bill and Beryl Sersha. 
SERVICES: Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday (Sept. 18th) at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Cook. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Jeff Shirle will be the officiant, with guest pastors Rev. Reuben Rosnau and Rev. Dennis Morriem. Special music will be provided by Trevor Nicholas, Bailey Conger and singing by the trio comprised of Chuck, Cam and Trevor Nicholas, along with congregational singing. Honorary bearers will be Mandy Wood, Cam Nicholas, Trevor Nicholas, Renee Nicholas and Bill Sersha. 
Military honors will be accorded by the combined honor guards of the Cook Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1757, and the Orr American Legion Post #480. Interment will be in the Cook Community Cemetery. A reception in Loren’s honor will follow in the Covenant Church social hall. If so desired, in lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Cook Food Shelf, P.O. Box 633, Cook, MN. 55723, or the Cook Covenant Church, P.O. Box 427, Cook, MN. 55723. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. To sign the online guest book, or to send a condolence to the family, go to: www.mlakerfuneralhome.com