Delores Ann (Fenske) Cowden

Delores Ann (Fenske) Cowden died unexpectedly at her home on Friday, July 30, 2021.  Delores was born on October 22, 1935 to Walter and Caroline (Theel) Fenske in Rochester, Minnesota.  She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rochester and was a member of Stordahl Lutheran Church of rural Zumbrota.

Delores married Claude (Tom) Cowden on July 25, 1953 in Wabash, Indiana where he was stationed with the US Army.  They had five children together and resided in the Oronoco, Elgin and Pine Island areas.

Delores was devoted to her children, her grandchildren, to her family and friends, and to her beloved cat, “Smokey”.  She was strong in her faith in God, never missing her many daily devotions, and always eager to share her faith with those she loved.  She enjoyed attending events with her children and grandchildren, reading, writing letters, playing gin rummy and Scrabble.

She is survived by her children Linda (Tom) Mulholland of Plainview, Lynette (Paul) Tentis of Elgin, Charles (Connie) of Buyck, Cheryl (Todd) Jackson of Lake City, and Michelle (Todd) Kennedy of Pine Island, 17 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by one brother, Russell (Sandra) Fenske of Elgin and one sister, Bonita Koenig of Wanamingo, and one brother-in-law, Paul Cowden of Pine Island.  She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her parents, and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A memorial service to celebrate Delores’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Stordahl Lutheran Church, with visitation an hour before the service.  Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mahn Funeral Home – Mahler Chapel in Pine Island, Minnesota.