Earl Cottingham, 79. Underwood, ND died October 14, 2023 at his home in Underwood.  Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Augustana Lutheran Church, Underwood with Deacon Jodi Lorenz officiating.  Interment will be held in the Underwood Cemetery.  There will be a prayer service at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at the church in Underwood.

Earl Wayne Cottingham was born on September 6, 1944 to Donald and Doris (Swanson) Cottingham – the third of seven children – in Wheaton, MN.  He attended elementary and high school throughout southern Minnesota and graduated from Estherville, IA in 1962.  His fondest memories and lifelong friends, however, were from Fairfax, MN, where he spent most of his high school years.  He was always quick to remind us that he graduated in just 11-1/2 years, although it was always debated if that was from academic excellence or an administrative desire to pass him along.

After high school Earl worked various construction jobs in Minnesota before following his parents to Underwood, ND.  Once arriving in what would become his forever hometown he worked various jobs, but more importantly caught the eye of a local high school girl.  In 1964, he somehow convinced this farm girl to be his steady date, a title Janice would hold for the next 59 years.  The following year she helped convince her dad to give this "city kid from Minnesota" a chance and he was hired on to help at the family farm.  In short order, Earl's intuitive mind and willingness to work - and work hard - won over his to-be father-in-law from his initial skepticism.

Earl and Janice Landenberger were wed on March 11, 1967.  1968 saw them both embark on careers that would last a lifetime.  Janice was hired as a teller at the Bank and Earl was hired at Knudtson Implement.  In 1969, their favorite child, Steven, was born.  And in 1975, the other one, Jennifer, completed their family.

Earl built his reputation at Knudtson Implement as the best damn partsman in the State.  He could always be counted on to answer the call for service at any hour of the day and not just answer it, but to do it with a crooked smile and a laugh.  In the early 80's Earl and Janice bought Knudtson Implement and operated it through the decade.  In 1991, they re-opened the store as Underwood Farm Supply – focusing on parts, repairs and service to the surrounding farming community.  This would be his mission until his retirement in 2014.

While work was always important, Earl always found time to attend his kids' activities and later in life, took great joy in attending his grandchildren's games and concerts.  He was never the loudest voice in the crowd and rarely sought attention for his efforts but was always there, rain or shine, quietly supporting the ones he loved.

Underwood meant a lot to Earl and through the years he gave his time and talents to many civic, church and volunteer organizations – serving on the boards for the Prairieview Nursing Home, Underwood Planning and Zoning, Methodist Church and served on the Underwood City Council for 12 years.

Earl and Janice loved to travel and see different parts of the country.  For many years in the fall (after harvest of course) they would point their car in a direction and see where it would take them.  The thousands of miles spent driving from coast to coast allowed them to see the sights, but probably even more importantly, allowed them hours upon hours to visit without the hustle and bustle of their busy lives.  Their other great passion was to escape to the family farm southwest of town and just enjoy the quietness and open space.  Their attention to the property kept life in what would otherwise have been just another abandoned farmstead and was the perfect gathering place for family get togethers and reunions.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Doris; his parents-in-law, Hilbert and Alta Landenberger; his brother, Dennis; his sister, Myrna Feneis; his sister-in-law, Diane Cottingham; his brother-in-law, Hugh Sayler; his sister-in-law, Mary Landenberger and his infant son Scott.

He is survived by his wife, Janice; his children, Steve and Toni Cottingham and Jennifer and Greg Hartze; his grandchildren, Samantha and Nick Slavik, Zach, Morgan and Macy; his great grandchildren, Colter and Hattie; his brothers and sisters, Robert Cottingham, Dean and Susan Cottingham, Marilyn Sayler and Dave and Sharon Hoff; his brother and sister-in-law, Ron Landenberger and Cindy and Kevin Olson and Earl Feneis and many nieces and nephews.