Lydia was born on August 7, 1929 to parents John “Pete” and Lydia (Zailer) Cook in Fort Morgan, CO. When she was a year old her dad purchased a farm in Dore, ND where she grew up and graduated from 8th grade in a little school house. Then she moved to Fairview and attended Fairview High School. She met the love of her life, Alvin Wiederrich, at the Triangle Nite Club where she was celebrating the rehearsal of her older sister’s wedding. Lydia saw a handsome young man with black curly hair dancing all the time. She hoped he would ask her to dance and he did. They were married two years later. They continued to go to Saturday night dances throughout their years together. When their children where grown they joined a square dancing club. They traveled to many square dancing conventions. They also enjoyed the round dances and she soon became the round dance instructor at square dances. She also taught line dancing; both state and international.
Lydia and Alvin enjoyed traveling. They went to Europe in 1988 (their son was stationed there in the Air Force). They traveled a great deal while there.
Lydia always loved children and when the grandkids came along they took them on many outings in the camper. She loved these times very much and had a great deal of fun. Then the great grandkids came and brought so much happiness to both Lydia and Alvin. They did so many fun things together. She loved every minute she got to spend with her family. Grandma always had to cook because they didn’t want to go out and eat!
Lydia was a member of the Moose Lodge, she enjoyed walking to McDonalds for an hour of talking and laughter with her friends in her later years; she met with a group of square dancers every Saturday morning for breakfast, she was part of a birthday group, and a guys and gals square dancing club. Lydia and Alvin where long time members of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney, MT. She taught Sunday school there when her children were young.
Lydia died on November 6, 2017 at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT.
Lydia is survived by son, Alvin “Butch”(Crystal) Wiederrich, of Fairview Heights, IL; grandson’s Casey(Tanya) Candee, Fairview, MT and Corey (Joni) Candee, Fairview, MT; seven great grandchildren Kyra, Taryn, Kallie, Carley, Cassidy, Caleb and Camille; two sisters, Ruth Dodson and Ann Pistole; a brother, Samuel Cook; and son-in-law, Garey Candee, Fairview, MT.
Lydia was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years, Alvin Wiederrich; her parents; her daughter, Karen Candee; sisters, Pauline Bieber, Lillian Boehler, Rachel Salas, Esther Cook (infant), Marrian Cayko, and Caroline Cummins; brothers Roy Cook, Ralph Cook, Elmer Cook and George Cook.