Jerome H. "Dede" Cossette
September 22, 1927 ~ May 10, 2025
Born in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Jerome H. “Dede” Cossette, 97, died May 10, 2025, at SMP Health – St. Catherine’s South, Fargo, ND. He was born, September 22, 1927, in Fargo, the youngest of 11 children of Pierre Ulrich and Jesse (Rheault) Cossette.
Jerry was raised in Fargo, attended St. Anthony’s grade school and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy (now Shanley High School) in 1945. He enlisted in the Army and served in Alaska, during World War II. Back in Fargo, he worked for Fargo Floral, as a salesman for Lavelle Lumber, as an agent for Aetna Life Insurance, and as manager of the Fargo Country Club from 1969 until retiring in 1991.
He was known for his humor and wit, often serving as a banquet emcee. He enjoyed work in Drama at FMCT and was well known for his exemplary performance of Oscar Madison in the FMCT presentation of the “Odd Couple”. He loved flower gardening and kept the Country Club flower beds looking beautiful. He was a man of faith and attended daily Mass through much of his life. He delivered Meals on Wheels for many years, well into his 90’s.
Jerry is survived by nieces and nephews too numerous to count. He was preceded in death by his parents and 10 siblings: Leone (Tillie) Savageau, Henry Cossette, Alpha Cossette, Toni (Ed) Marn, Marie (Ed) Tighe, Irene (Owen) Boyle, Clifford (Blanche) Cossette, Virgil (Betty) Cossette, Richard Cossette and Tom (Phyllis) Cossette.
There will be a time of visitation at St. Anthony of Padua Church, in Fargo at 10:00 am, preceding the Funeral Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 11:00 am, with Fr. Gerard Braun presiding. The burial will take place at a later time at Fargo National Cemetery, rural Harwood, ND.
Memorials may be made to John Paul II Catholic Schools, Fargo, or to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.
Services
Funeral Mass - Friday: May 16, 2025 11:00 am
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/
Visitation - Friday: May 16, 2025 10:00 am - 11:00 am
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/
Burial:
Fargo National Cemetery
8709 40th Avenue North, Co Rd 20
Harwood, North Dakota 58042
(701) 451-4650
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/fargo.asp
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Jerome H. "Dede" Cossette 's name.
John Paul II Catholic Schools
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo,
North Dakota
I knew Jerry from Riverview. One of the nicest people to visit with at coffee. I remember when he came with his nephew to visit my dad at hospice. You will be missed!
Missy “Mitzi”
Jerry Cossette was the ultimate country club manager. Personality, skills in managing employees and members. Always a class act in dress and manners. He was the standard of what a country club manager is and should be. My father was a long time member of Fargo Country Club and I am a chip off the block. Jerry made the FCC what it is today to a great degree and there should be a statue somewhere on the grounds to memorialize him.
I am Dede’s God daughter.He was a kind sweet man. After my mom and dad got divorced he always gave my sister and I(who was also called DD) a Christmas present. He was my godfather… Not DD’s…but he never left her out. He always included her when he gave me presents. He was a man ahead of his time. A kind, faithful, intelligent , wise , talented man. mind you I moved away when I was a teenager, but before that time, so many things about him, impressed me. My favorite memory of uncle Dede is when I was going to catechism at Saint Anthony’s and they told us the principal of the catechism school was coming to talk to us and it was my uncle. Wow, was I proud at that moment. Rest in peace, dear uncle Dede… You did good in the eyes of God.
I always enjoyed talking with Jerry. He was man with many stories. Jerry knew everyone and was liked by all. As Steve Cossette told me the one word that best describes Jerry is that he truly is a GENTLEMAN!