Avis Cowden

Avis Cowden, age 86, of Dilworth, MN died on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at her home under the care of hospice after a short battle with cancer. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Dilworth Lutheran Church, Dilworth, MN with Rev. Elizabeth Hiller officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 PM, the same day. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday. 

Avis Corrine Engebretson was born on February 18, 1938, to Clifford and Margaret (Gilberts) Engebretson in Pelican Rapids, MN the eldest of eight children. She grew up in Pelican Rapids where she attended school, graduating with the class of 1956. Following graduation, she moved to Fargo, ND, lived with her grandmother downtown Fargo, and experienced pizza for the first time. She got her first job at the Merchant Bank in Fargo. She met Dale Cowden, and they were married on November 8, 1957, in Pelican Rapids, MN. Shortly after their marriage Dale was drafted into the Army and the newlyweds were stationed in Texas. Following his service in the Army, they returned to the Midwest and lived in Valley City, ND for a couple of years. They would welcome two children Pam and Bob eventually settle in a home in Dilworth where they raised their children. In 1968, Avis started working in the Dilworth School for many years as the elementary secretary, (some people have said she ran the school), and eventually worked in the library and media, retiring many years later. 

Avis will be remembered as an instigator and wrote about herself “If there was trouble to be found, I was the leader.” She had a beautiful singing voice who filled her childhood home with her sister Janet with song. Some of her hobbies have included quilting, cross stitching, and storytelling. She loved keeping up with family and friends over the telephone, especially her Monday evening chats with her sister Janet in California. She had a weekly card playing group who shared many years of laughter every Wednesday night. For many summers, she and her husband Dale have spent time at Island Lake camping and taking road trips across the Midwest. For the past several years, she has been a faithful caregiver and advocate for her husband Dale as he has been a resident of Bethany Homes in Fargo. 

Avis is survived by her husband Dale Cowden, Fargo, ND, two children: Pam (Randy) Vadnais of Audubon, MN, Bob (Nicole Thelen) Cowden of Dilworth, MN, five grandchildren: Jordan (Kylie) Vadnais, Sean (Samantha) Vadnais, Nicole (Randall) Rockwell, Jared (Megan) Cowden, Stephanie Cowden, six great grandchildren: Hailey Vadnais, Koa Vadnais, Kaycie Martin, Kennedy Roach, Lincoln Cowden, Reese Cowden, six siblings: Janet Anderson of Covina, CA, Juel (Charlotte) Engebretson of Pittsburg, PA, Elwood (Rebecca Dement) Engebretson of Austin, TX, Collin (Elizabeth) Engebretson of Dent, MN, Mark (Colleen) Engebretson of Breckenridge, MN, Steven Engebretson of Pelican Rapids, MN, and 13 nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

Avis was preceded in death by her parents Clifford and Margaret Engebretson, brother Paul Engebretson, and one brother-in-law Harry Anderson. 

If you choose, memorials can be directed to the American Cancer Society in Avis' honor.