Gayleen Cora (Bentzinger) Eden, 90 of Cook, passed away on April 29, 2025, at the Syracuse Good Samaritan Center. She was born on April 7, 1935, on a farm near Cook to Louie & Rosa (Riensche) Bentzinger. Gayleen was one of six children and received her education at the Cook School, graduating with the Class of 1952.

Gayleen was baptized on April 28, 1935, by Rev. Paul Mall at her parents’ home, with her aunt Cora (Bentzinger) Becker as her sponsor. She was confirmed on April 10, 1949, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cook, with Philippians 4:7 as her confirmation verse. Over the years, she remained a devoted member of the Lutheran faith, attending Helena Church in her youth and later becoming a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church after the merger of Helena and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

On February 14, 1954, Gayleen married LaVern "Mike" H. Eden at the Grace Lutheran Church. Together, they made their home in Johnson for a year, then in rural Cook, and ultimately in the town of Cook, where they raised their three children and resided for the rest of their lives.

Gayleen had a deep love for people and a talent for working with food. She worked as the Food Service Manager for the Nemaha Valley School for 32 years, retiring in 1999, after also assisting her husband with his work at the school for 8 years prior. Gayleen cherished her daily interaction with the students. In 1985, she and Mike started a catering business called The Lunch Wagon, which they ran until the fall of 2012.

Her community involvement was extensive. She was a 33-year member of the TOPS Club, served as second vice president of the ELCW for 10 years, treasurer of the GLCW for two years, and as a chairperson at various times. She also volunteered at the Food Bank, managed the Meals on Wheels program in Cook and organized monthly bus trips to the casino.

In addition to her professional and volunteer commitments, Gayleen had many hobbies. She enjoyed ceramics both early in life and after retirement, crafting pieces for her family and ornaments for her yard. She loved quilting and made a quilt for each of her children, as well as gifting her five grandchildren quilts when they got married. Camping was also a favorite pastime of Gayleen and Mike. Some of her favorite memories were hosting all five grandchildren for a week each summer, fishing, and taking rides in the convertible. She especially enjoyed the great-grandkids coming for meals and special occasions, cherishing every moment spent with them.

Gayleen is survived by her children Mike (Kristi) Eden, Dixie (George) Formanack, Dennis (Shelli) Eden; Grandchildren: John (Whitney) Eden and their children Riley & Charlize, Lindsey (T.J.) Ehlers and their children Chase, Halle & Paisley, Jason (Jessica) Eden and their children Andrew, Lauren & Caleb, Brandi (Scot) Ballan and their children Brooklyn & Brogan, Dustin (Ashley) Formanack and their children Zoey & Ellie; brother Louis (Grace) Bentzinger; sisters Joan Staack and Margaret Damme as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband LaVern “Mike” in 2019, infant brother, sister Eleanor Tehee and brothers-in-law Owen Tehee and Eugene Staack.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church located at 306 N 1st St. Cook, NE. The service will be livestreamed on the Grace Lutheran Church Facebook page. Burial will follow at the Grace Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 2 from 4 until 8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. all at the Grace Lutheran Church in Cook.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Grace Lutheran Church or Cook Volunteer Fire Department. Floral arrangements may be delivered to the church.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com