LaVern "Mike" Eden, 89 of Cook, passed away on July 20, 2019 in Lincoln. He was born on November 21, 1929 to Elde & Leona (Gerdes) Eden in Johnson.

Mike entered the Army in July of 1950 and also served in the Army Reserve. He was a member of the American Legion 360 Post for 56 years.

On February 14, 1954 he was united in marriage to Gayleen Bentzinger by Rev. Orville Lehman. They celebrated 65 years together this year. To this union 3 children were born. They lived in Johnson, NE for 1 ½ years and then moved to Cook, NE, where they have lived the rest of their lives.

At the time of his marriage he worked for the railroad and later worked for Paul Anderson Construction who built the Cook School. After the construction was complete he began working at the Cook School in maintenance. He retired from Cook/Nemaha Valley School 40 years later. He enjoyed the kids at school and everyone he worked with.

Mike served 2 terms as Mayor of Cook and 2 terms on the Church Council at Grace Lutheran. He also was on the Cook Volunteer Fire Dept. and town board for several years. After retiring from school he continued his lawn service business, repair shop, lunch wagon and catering business. They retired the lunch wagon and catering business in 2012 but continued his lawn service.

He was very fond of the Christmas season and the lights. He built many things for their yard and placed lights anywhere you could find a place to hang them. He always had a great love for his grandchildren and looked forward to the times in the summer they would all spend a week at his house at the same time.

Mike is survived by his Wife: Gayleen Eden; Children: Mike (Kristi) Eden, Dixie (George) Formanack, Dennis (Shelli) Eden; Grandchildren: John (Whitney) Eden, Lindsey (T.J.) Ehlers, Jason (Jessica) Eden, Brandi (Scot) Ballan, Dustin (Ashley) Formanack and Amber Smith; Great Grandchildren: Brooklyn and Brogan Ballan, Riley and Charlize Eden, Chase, Halle and Paisley Ehlers and Andrew, Lauren and Caleb Eden; Brother-in-law: Louis (Grace) Bentzinger; Sisters-in-law: Joan (Gene) Staack, Eleanor Tehee and Margaret Damme; also many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law: Owen Tehee.

Funeral service: Tuesday, July 23 at 10:30 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Cook.

Visitation: Monday, July 22 from 9 A.M. until 9 P.M. with family greeting friends from 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home in Syracuse.

Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com