Lois Esther Cool

Lois Esther (Montag) Cool, age 91, passed away in her home after a long fight with dementia. She peacefully joined her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, as her daughter, Wendi, son-in-law, Mike, and caregiver, Carol, held her hand. The chorus of Hallelujah played in the background.

Family will receive friends Thursday, Dec. 6, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow, Mont. Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m., at Assembly of God Church in Glasgow, with Tom Fauth officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Glasgow.

She was born in Oshkosh, Wis., on Dec. 2, 1926, to John Francis Montag, Sr. and Esther Emilie Marie (Schroeder) Montag. She attended Oakwood grade school in Oshkosh and graduated from Oshkosh High School. Lois worked at the American Excelsior Factory where her Dad was the superintendent. She was grateful for the high paying job that helped her to attend college. She attended college at North Central Bible College (NCBC) in Minneapolis, Minn., where she studied three years of theology. She worked part-time in the library checking out books to students. She enjoyed this job because she was able to study while she was working. While attending NCBC, Lois met her sweetheart, Fred Cool. At NCBC, Lois and her friends wanted a ride to the park. Lois knew that Fred had a Buick, so she asked him for a ride. Fred, already her secret admirer, gladly accepted and they were soon dating.

Lois and Fred married on Sept. 29, 1951, in Oshkosh, and after their wedding, they resided in Minneapolis for a period of time and then moved to Oshkosh. Lois and Fred were blessed with a son, Stephen Monte Cool, on July 15, 1952. On Sept. 24, 1954, Wesley Frederic Cool joined their family.

Upon Fred's dad's sudden death in December 1954, the Cools lived in Larslan, Mont., during the farming season to help with the family farm. During the rest of the year, they resided at their home in Oshkosh. While in Oshkosh, Lois worked part time. In 1962, the Cool family permanently moved to Larslan to run the farm and raise sheep and pigs. Wendi Jo joined their family on Oct. 4, 1965. Lois and Fred resided in their Larslan home until 2014 when they moved to Coupeville, Wash., to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law.

Lois was a member of the Assembly of God church in Glasgow, Mont. She taught Sunday School to the teens. She was blessed to be a 'stay at home' mom when she lived in Larslan. She loved to drive the combine during harvest season. Lois was an amazing cook and baker. One of the family's favorite desserts is her famous oatmeal cake. She enjoyed gardening and had many beautiful house plants. Lois and Fred held Bible study in their home. Lois was an avid reader. She always tried to learn new words and proudly used them. Her faith was the one thing she continued to recognize during her battle with dementia. Most words became difficult for her to articulate however, you could still hear her say the name of Jesus. Lois always had something nice to say to the people she met, whether it was telling them, 'You're beautiful' or just to say, 'God Bless You.' Her smile lit up the room and she wanted people to feel comfortable. Lois loved her family and prayed for each one of them every day.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Fred William Cool; her father, John Frances Montag, Sr; her mother, Esther Emilie Marie (Schroeder) Montag; one brother, John Francis Montag, Jr; two brothers-in-law, John Ohlin and Verner Bertelsen; father-in-law Frederick Cool; mother-in-law Ruth (Borum) Cool; two sisters-in-law, Dorothea Alice Bertelsen and Violet Mae Belling; and one grandson, John Wesley Cool.

She is survived by her son Stephen (Carol) of Glasgow; grandson Joseph (Jennifer), of Baardstown, Ky.; grandson Justin (Amanda), of Calais, Maine; son, Wesley (Jackie), of Glendive, Mont.; grandson Treven (Alicia) Cool and great-grandchildren Peyton and Conall, of Glendive; granddaughter Trenna (Bob) Antonelli and great-grandchildren Jayden, Genesis, Noelle, Gabriel, of Nixa, Mo.; daughter Wendi Tow (Mike Anderson), of Oak Harbor, Wash.; grandson Micah Tow (Alexis Elsevier), of Oak Harbor; granddaughter Chelsi (Sean) Simpson and great-grandson Zayne, of Pinehurst, N.C.; one sister, Joanne (Montag) Ohlin, of Springfield, Mo.; and nephews, nieces and cousins.