Landa Rae Cook came into this world April 13, 1944 in the Decatur County hospital, Leon, Iowa, not only welcomed by her mother, Goldie Olive Mae Cook and father, David Wayne Cook, but also by three older sisters, the youngest of which was ten years her senior–a position of privilege some would say–she, herself, would be heard to say in later life, “enjoy it while you can.”
She was educated in the Lamoni, Iowa public schools, subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Graceland College, and licensed to teach in Iowa, and later received a permanent license in Missouri. She also earned certification in Early Childhood Education from Pittsburg State University.
She was baptized and confirmed in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as a child, and was a faithful servant throughout her lifetime. She had no doubts, but lived her faith through love and service. She loved to volunteer and she also loved to cook.
Landa Rae (Mrs. Erwine) was a teacher. She loved people, she especially loved children– They were her life focus. She was a Sunday School Teacher as an adolescent, and taught professionally 34 1/2 years in the public school system, primarily Kindergarten, but occasionally First Grade. Thirty-one years were in the Osceola, Missouri school. One such year she was paid the honor of being asked to be the graduating high school senior’s commencement speaker–a class which began school with Mrs. Erwine thirteen years before. She also taught in the Kingsville, Missouri and Bethany, Missouri schools.
On November 28, 1965, Landa Rae was united in marriage with her life-long husband, Terry E. Erwine who first met her in January1952 in Second Grade. The teacher had placed Terry, a transferee from a county school, at a desk in front of her. Not a shy person and a little on the ornery side, Landa Rae introduced herself by pinching the new boy’s back repeatedly. To this union were born four very satisfactory children, Jill Carr, Springfield, MO, Aaron, Blue Water Sailor, Heather, St Ann, MO and Kirsten, Marshfield, MO. She is survived in addition to her husband and children, but also by Jill’s daughter, Kelsea and husband, Caleb Brown, and also by Great Grand Daughter Bexley and brand new twin Great Grand Daughters, Ellisyn and Emmalyn; and by Kirsten Erwine Van Nest with her four children, Brady, Trevor, Aalyiah and Cougar (CJ).
Landa Rae went to her heavenly home Sunday morning, August 13, 2023, at KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
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