Gwendean (Gwen) Cox Dyrud

6/21/36 - 4/3/23

Gwen Cox Dyrud of Laurel, Maryland, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2023, at the age of 86 years, 11 months, and 3 days. She was born June 21, 1936, in Loving, Texas, the oldest of three daughters born to Oleta Deering Cox and John Malcolm Cox. She was blessed with an older sister, Oleta Mae (Cox) Roark. Gwen graduated from Graham High School in 1954 and graduated from Baylor University, Waco, Texas. She moved to Maryland for additional education and began a long teaching career in Duval High School in Lanham, MD, before retiring.

She was married to Chester (Chet) Dyrud of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, in 1971. Chet passed away in 2020.

Gwen always claimed to be a "True Texan" and loved Texas memorabilia and the Dallas Cowboys.

Gwen is survived by sisters: Marlene Champion (Richard), Maxine Tucker (Charles), and Betty Frazer; brother: Willard Schlittler (LaDonna); best friend: Rosalie Wheatley; God-daughters: Wendy Maynor and Anne Sparkman, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. She is also survived by sister-in-law: Dr. Leola Furman, Maple Grove, MN; brothers-in-law: Loiell Dyrud (Mary) Thief River Falls, MN, Rev. Connely Dyrud, Maple Grove, MN, and Clark Dyrud (Marilyn) Minnetonka, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Malcolm and Oleta Cox, and stepmother Elmina Schlittler Cox; sister: Oleta Roark; brother John Schlittler, and brothers-in-law: Wayne Roark and Wally Frazer.  She was also preceded in death by brother-in-law: Dr. Philip Furman; and sister-in-law: Carolyn Dyrud.

Her funeral was held June 10, 2023, in Graham, Texas, with burial in Loving Cemetery.

A private family Memorial Service will be held in Satersdal Lutheran Church of rural Thief River Falls, Saturday, August 5, with a Committal Service to follow.

May the memory of Gwen be blessed.