Donald Cook

November 1, 1929 - May 11, 2019

Donald Dean (Cookie) Cook, 89, of Oskaloosa, passed on to glory on May 11, 2019 in Oskaloosa, due to complications from Parkinson’s at MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. Donald was born in Monroe County Iowa on November 1, 1929 to Frank Vincent and Anna Beulah (Rodabaugh) Cook. He attended the Jack Oak School in Monroe County where he met his sweetheart, Helen Jacobs, when they were just 10 years old. He started teasing her then and never quit during their 69 years and 5 months of marriage. He graduated from the Albia High School with the Class of 1947. Don and Helen were married on January 8, 1950 at the Monroe County Church of the Brethren where he had attended his whole life. Don farmed in Monroe County from boyhood until he “retired” to start full time woodworking. Don and Helen lived in Ottumwa during the first years of marriage. He worked at Kenmar Manufacturing as an upholsterer before it became Comfort Inc. in Ottumwa until leaving there to farm full time. They moved back to Monroe County in 1956, living a short while on the family farms while Don continued to work at Comfort Inc. Don and Helen purchased their own farm in 1958. He loved the land and the sense of accomplishment of a completed project. Don and Helen lived there until health forced them to move into Oskaloosa. Don had a servant’s heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a board member for his Church and served as an officer of Farm Bureau. Don loved Jesus, Helen, his girls, his family and friends and showed his love through kindness and caring in many ways. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading Zane Grey novels, square dancing and making serious situations lighter. Left to carry on his legacy of kindness and humor are his “Pokey”, Helen (Jacobs) Cook, his daughters; Marianne (Johnny) Thomas of Ottumwa, Linda (Randy) Spears of Hedrick, Sandra Marshall of Oskaloosa and Lavonne (Kent) Johannes of Oskaloosa; grandchildren, Eric (Jenni) Bishop, Kelli Bryan, Shannon (Courtney) Spears, Travis (Colleen) Spears, Josh (Tasha) Johannes, Nathan Johannes, Caleb Johannes and Erica (Joe) Spurgeon; great grandchildren, AE3(AW) Jesse (Jazmin) Bishop, Jake (Carlos) Bishop, MASN Elijah (Breann) Bishop, Dyllen Robinson, Logan Robinson, Jaynna Robinson, Gabriel Bryan; Maddison Johannes, Jep Johannes, Zeke Johannes and Aubrey Spurgeon; his great-great grandchildren, Lucy Bishop and Denver Robinson; niece, nephews, cousins and their wonderful families. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his 2 brothers, Galen (Marlene) Cook of Ottumwa and Lawrence Cook of Albia, and a son-in-law, Peter Marshall of Des Moines. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa with Pastors Burdell Hensley and Steve Cox officiating. As was Don’s wish his body will be cremated following the funeral ceremony. A private family burial will take place at a later date in the Cuba Cemetery near Avery, Iowa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Wednesday, May 15, 2019 after 12:00 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Wednesday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Don Cook Memorial Fund.