Loretta Cornell
May 30, 1926 ~ October 7, 2020
Loretta Cornell, 94, Edgewood Vista, formerly of Jamestown, ND, was received into the arms of Our Lord on October 7, 2020.
Loretta was born to Alfred and Anna (Onerheim) Martell, on May 30, 1926 in Rolla, ND. She graduated from St. John High School and went on to attend college in Devils Lake, ND.
During high school, Loretta worked for the rationing board, which was responsible for rationing dry goods and groceries during WWII. After high school she traveled to Seattle to join her sister and cousins, becoming one of the thousands of women who were dubbed “Rosie Riveters” during WWII, replacing men in manufacturing of Boeing aircraft. Loretta was an electrical inspector, climbing in the wings and bodies of the planes, inspecting the new wiring.
Loretta married her high school sweetheart, Sheldon Cornell, on April 21, 1946. They lived in Minneapolis immediately following their marriage and later returned to North Dakota, through the years living in Kenmare, Minot and Jamestown before moving to Edgewood Vista in Fargo in 2017. She worked for Cal’s Office Supply in Jamestown and then Pamida for over 20 years. Loretta was a member of St. James Basilica, St. James Tabernacle Society and Our Lady of Lourdes Circle. She was a wonderful, loving mother and wife, a kind, non-judgemental person who relied on her faith while enjoying her family, baking, laughter, playing cards and tending her flowers. She also was unsurpassed at cleaning!
She is survived by her three children: David (Brenda), Horace; Cathy, Fargo and Brian, Jamestown; Grandchildren: Chad (Jenny) Cornell, Mandan; Lisa Cornell, Moorhead, MN; Great-grandchildren: Kaylie Cornell, Sioux Falls, SD; Skyler Cornell, Moorhead, MN; Sierra Wessels, Selby,SD; Sadie Cornell, Mandan and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 62 years, sister Lorraine Troyer and grandson Michael Cornell.
Loretta’s family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Pearl’s and Glenn’s Place at Edgewood Vista, as well as Hospice of the Red River Valley for their compassionate and loving care.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, November 6, 2020 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fargo. All of those attending are asked to wear masks.
Memorials may be directed to St. James Basilica, Jamestown, ND or Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Heartfelt condolences to you all. Precious memories forever in your heart. God’s peace💐
We were so saddened to see Loretta’s passing even though we have lost touch over the years, we have a lot of great memories and laughing when we would get together with her and Lorraine and Grandma Anna as we called her in Rolla, We have thought about her many times.
One memory that comes to mind was when her and Lorraine were doing something with the phone and they unplugged it from the wall and it didn’t work anymore so they went over to the neighbors and called the phone company to let them know it wasn’t working. ” Luckily” they figured it out before the phone company had arrived to check it out that they had forgotten to plug it back in. As they said would have been embarrassing ( Silly Girls ) Rest in peace Loretta until we meet Again, Our Deepest Sympathy to the Family.
Todd & Maureen Graber
God’s peace to you all.
Take care,
My sympathys and prayers to Cathy and other family members. I met Loretta when I moved to Jamestown 53 yrs ago thru church and we were boh members of the same circle and all her years at Pamida. Your Mom was a very nice lady so nice to everyone. You will miss her cherish
all the good times! God bless all of you.
Sincere sympathy to your family on your mother’s death. We had many fun times going back to the Salesman Club, church, pinochle parties and always looked forward to her neat neat house, delicious desserts and that great candy and those cookies at Christmas time.
May she Rest In Peace.
Loretta’s soul has been set free. Fly away, my dear friend, and fill the whole universe with your kindness and melodious groove.
Sending you warm thoughts, Cathy, to you, to your brothers and your loved ones.
Our sympathies to you Dave and family , God Bless You All. Bob & Carrie Maresh
Dave and family,
Sorry to learn of your loss. Sending prayers. May your mother rest in peace.
Thinking of you, Victor, Ted and Gail
Loretta was my Mom’s cousin. My Grandma (Hazel) and Loretta’s Mom (Anna) were sisters and best friends. Over the years, there were many times where we stopped in Jamestown to visit with Loretta. Many times when Loretta and her family met up with my Mom and Grandma in Minnewaukan or Rolla.
I recall Loretta to be very kind, a genuinely nice person with a good heart, and a positive outlook on life. She was so proud of her children, and was a wonderful mother. She always made me, and our branch of the family, welcome in her home.
Loretta had a wonderful recipe for Potatoes Romanoff– it was grated potatoes, onions, and cheese. Very decadent, but tasty. Every I eat a similar potato dish, I think of being in Loretta’s home with my Mom, my Aunties, and my Grandma, eating that wonderful potato dish on a summer afternoon in the 1970’s.