Fredia Louise Cox Petho

Fredia Louise Cox made her way into the world August 24, 1920 at her parent's homestead in the Sandhills of Nebraska near Nenzel Nebraska.

Louise was the third daughter of Hale and Susie (Wilkins) Cox, she joined siblings Troy, Tim, Amzella and Mildred. Later another sister Vera was born.

In 1929 the family sold the homestead and purchased a small place on the edge of Nenzel so the children would be close to school. While living in Nenzel, Louise was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.

Hale died in 1936 after about 3 year years in Nenzel. Susie bought a big stone house on North Main Street in Valentine and operated it as a "Rooming House".

The move to Valentine made it possible for Louise and Vera to attend school while living at home. Before the move to Valentine Louise attended the 11th grade at Chadron assumption in Chadron Nebraska, riding the train back and forth from Nenzel. She graduated from Valentine High School in 1938.

Louise was a true career woman, starting with her move to Washington DC after graduation, where sister Amzella was working. Louise obtained a job working for the FBI in the identification division, identifying fingerprints of soldiers. She worked in the armory where all the files were stored. The building had been built as a drill floor for solders, but had been converted for more space.

Both the Department of War building and the Gallagher Hospital were in the area. The hospital took the sick and injured soldiers for treatment. The highlight of her work in in the FBI was getting to shake the hand of J. Edgar Hoover.
Louise moved back to Valentine for a time working for Dr. Sumner in his dental clinic. Within several years she went to work for the FBI in Omaha. Later she worked for St. Josephs Hospital also in Omaha, in the sterilization department.

While living in Omaha she heard Ford Motors was looking for help in the purchasing department. She applied and was hired. After the move to Michigan, Louise worked for Ford Motor for 28 years. Louise moved from Dearborn, Michigan to Warren Michigan after retirement. While getting settled into a new apartment, she needed the help of a handy man and was told by management, of a man who lived in the building who might be able to help her. His name was Peter Petho. Pete's work evidently was satisfactory as she made him an apple pie in appreciation and a friendship began.

Pete's wife had died of cancer a few years earlier. Pete had worked for Budd Company who made parts for Ford Motors, so they had common interests. Pete and Louise were married June 20, 1981 at Kalamazoo Michigan.

Pete and Louise enjoyed 16 years of marriage. Louise bought a small condo in Warren after their marriage. They could spend winter months in the condo and summers in Pete's cabin on Stokes Bay in Canada. These were some of Louise's happiest years. Unfortunately Pete's health began to fail and after several years he passed away in 1997.

Louise remained in Warren until her health declined. She then spent time in Florida with her sister Vera. After Vera developed cancer and passed away in 2005, Louise moved back to Valentine to be closer to family. She lived at Cherry Hills Assisted Living and later moved to Pineview Good Samaritan Center. Louise enjoyed being "back home" in the Sandhills and near her family.

Louise passed away on May 18 at Pineview Good Samaritan Center in Valentine.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband Peter, her parents Susie and Hale Cox, brothers and sisters: Troy, Tim, Amzella, Mildred, Vera and an infant brother Zackaria. Her nieces, nephews and their families survive her.

Both Pete and Louise are buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine Nebraska. Sandhills Chapel of the Pines was in charge of services.