AVIS E. RICKFORD

AVIS E. RICKFORD

Avis E. Rickford, 87, Cooperstown, ND died at her home surrounded by her family. 

Avis Evelyn Arndt was born November 19, 1931, in Cooperstown ND, the second daughter of Frederick and E. Irene (Pederson) Arndt.  She grew up on the family farm near Jessie and attended the Jessie Public School and graduated from Cooperstown High School in 1950.

Avis married Glenn Paul Rickford on June 18, 1950 in West Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Jessie, ND.  The couple moved to St. Paul, MN for a short time then later moved to a small farm north of Cooperstown.  Avis worked on the farm raising Chihuahuas, chickens, turkeys, sheep, pigs and milking cows while Glenn worked on the farm and for the railroad.  When they moved to a different farm about 6 miles south of their original farm, besides working with the animals, Avis also worked in Cooperstown at the Johnson store, then for Griggs County Social Services and still later working as a cook at the Griggs County Hospital/Nursing Home retiring when she was in her 70s.  Avis was a life time member of West Prairie Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid.

Avis was a hard worker and very clever with her hands.  She loved gardening, baking, cooking, canning, embroidery, sewing and quilting.  She made many beautiful baptismal gowns and quilts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and other friends and family. 

Avis is survived by four of her children: Perry Rickford, Cooperstown ND, Jim (Louise) Rickford, Fargo ND, Virginia Eli (Pat Keegan), Fargo ND, and David (Katie) Rickford Cooperstown ND; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sister Connie (Arndt) MacKenzie, Cooperstown ND; sisters-in-law Diana (Paintner) (Arndt) Weber, Pharr TX, Laurel (Lee) Arndt, Fairview MT, Delores (Rickford) Tande, Columbia Heights MN, Patricia (Smith) Rickford, Prior Lake MN; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Avis was preceded in death by her husband Glenn; parents, Frederick and E. Irene Arndt; daughter Deborah Johnson; 1 great-grandchild; sister and brother-in-law F. Ione and Stanley Edland; brothers Elmo and Frederick Arndt; brothers-in-law Raymond MacKenzie, Marvin Rickford, Roland Rickford and Kermit Rickford; and sister-in-law Myrtle (Rickford) Jensen.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 18, 2018 in Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home, Cooperstown ND, visitation will be one hour before services.  Lunch will be provided at the Senior Center, Cooperstown following the funeral service.  Interment will be in West Prairie Cemetery, rural Jessie ND.