Margaret Ruth "Midge" Cox

Margaret R. “Midge” Cox, 85 of Devils Lake died on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Midge will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jeff Nicla will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday from 2:30 p.m until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Midge will be her grandchildren, Wendy Dammen, Patrick Cox, Michael Cox, Maxine Surber, Marie Erickson, Richard Cox and Roger Cox. Music will be provided by Susan Eback, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist Margaret Ruth, the daughter of George Harry and Janet (Allen) Stevenson was born on August 3, 1924 in Mount Sorrel, England where she was reared and educated. She was working in a factory in England when she met and fell in love with the handsome soldier, Orrin Cox and they were united in marriage on May 26, 1944 in England. After the war, Orrin returned to the states with his division. Six months later, Margaret and their baby, Orrin R., would come to the United States on the Queen Mary. Midge left England where electricity, indoor plumbing and running water were common place to come to the prairies of North Dakota where she would encounter many feet of snow, an outhouse and gas lanterns. But this did not deter Midge. She was a devoted farm wife and loving mother who worked side by side with her husband on their farm at Crary through the years. She also cooked at Lake Region Lutheran Home for a time. Orrin died on August 26, 1998. Midge continued to live on the farm until December of 2001 when she moved to Devils Lake. Midge was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Crary until it closed then joined St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. She was also a member of the Wheatland Homemakers and the VFW Auxiliary. In her younger years, Midge enjoyed belonging to the local bowling league and gardening. She had a very special talent for knitting and shared her creations as special gifts to her family and many friends. Midge’s determination to survive that first winter in North Dakota was a trait she carried her entire life. May she rest now in God’s peace. Midge is survived by her sons, Orrin R. Cox and his wife, Carol of Kent, Washington and Barry D. Cox and his wife, Judy of Warwick, ND; Grandchildren: Maxine (Jeff) Surber, Marie (Gary) Erickson, Richard (Sarah) Cox and Roger (Aimee) Cox; Wendy (Jeff) Dammen, Patrick (Michelle) Cox and Michael Cox; Great Grandchildren: Joseph Surber; Alyssa and Gary David Erickson; Alayna, Casey and Ava Cox; Austin and Jacob Dammen; Sister: Janet and her husband, Gil Read of England; Sisters-In-Law: Mary Jane Pershke of Devils Lake and Mildred Mertens of Fargo; Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orrin; grandson, David Orrin Cox; great granddaughter, Danielle Surber; brothers, Steve and Cecil Stevenson and sister, Enid Holland.