Vayda “Ashton” Irene Cook

Vayda “Ashton” Irene Cook, age 14, who recently moved to Wadena, Minnesota passed away on October 9, 2023.  Heaven gained another angel taken from us too soon.

Vayda “Ashton” Irene Cook was born on May 28, 2009, in Alexandria, Minnesota to Suzanne Sorenson and Derek Cook. She was the middle child of three and she had many homes growing up. Vayda was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. She was also water baptized at Destiny Church of Ashby, Minnesota.

Vayda had a love and hate relationship with school as most kids do, preferring the social side of the school day. She did enjoy some of her classes like art, band where she played percussion, marching band, pep band and Prairie Wind Theatre. Vayda participated in 4H archery and was active in the LGBTQIA+ community. She made friends easily and had a big online presence with her social media community. Vayda supported others through their struggles even while struggling herself.

Vayda loved animals, music, nature, and swimming. She was creative, loved drawing, making many different crafts and dancing.  Vayda had a very special bond and friendship with her brother Bryce.

Vayda was one of the brightest souls, loving, and funny. She gave the best hugs, had a beautiful smile and infectious laugh! Vayda was loved by many and will be dearly missed by them all.

Deeply loved, Vayda’s passing will be mourned by her mother Suzanne Sorenson, sister Liberty Johnson, brother Bryce Cook, great-grandmother Gwen Sorenson, grandparents: Sheila (Ricky) Kuegler and Larry Sorenson, aunts and uncles: Ashleigh (Justin) Walz, John (Dani) Sorenson, and Zach (Autumn) Johnson; honorary aunt Savanah Smith; godmother Jennifer (Mason) Knoll; her father Derek Cook; her grandparents: Bryce (Becky) Cook and Patty (Curt) Kenow; aunts and uncles: Jennifer (Nathan) Anderson, Dustin (Heather) Richter, Ethan Cook, Aaron Cook, and Nicki (Luke) Hagen; many cousins, the extended Kuegler family and a host of friends.

She is preceded in death by her uncle Troy Sorenson, cousin Morgan Troy Foster, great-grandparents Harold & Gladys Holmgren, and great-grandfather James Sorenson.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to a mental health organization of your choosing in her memory, preferably one that focuses on suicide prevention in adolescent children.

Visitation: Fri., Oct. 13, 10-11am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Parkers Prairie, MN & Fri., Oct. 13, 1-2pm at The Naz, Fergus Falls, MN

Memorial Service: Fri., Oct. 13, 11am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Parkers Prairie, MN & Fri., Oct. 13, 2pm at The Naz, Fergus Falls, MN

Funeral Home: Karvonen Funeral Home