Obituary for James Donald Cook
James D. Cook, 91, of rural Winthrop, IA, died at his home on Sunday, October 20, 2019.
James was born on September 2, 1928, at his family’s home in rural Winthrop, IA, the son of Howard J. and Anna E. (Speas) Cook. He attended the Middlefield Township Country School and was a 1946 graduate of Winthrop High School. On August 8th, 1946 he enlisted into the United States Navy and served as a Machinery Repairman Third Class until his honorable discharge in 1949. After his service he returned home to Winthrop, IA to help on the family farm. On February 9, 1952 he married Bonnie Faye Blankenburg at the Methodist Church in Winthrop, IA. In 1959 they purchased a farm just down the road from where his family had been farming for decades, and later built their home there. James was a member of the Church of Christ United in Winthrop. He also helped build the Buffalo Creek Golf Course in Winthrop, IA, where he and Bonnie were members for many years.
James was known for his work ethic. He would often spend hours in his vegetable garden after a full day of working his farm and helping others. In the fall he would harvest walnuts, and would spend hours, shucking, washing, and cracking them. He would often give the walnuts as gifts during the holiday’s to family and friends. Spending time outside with family and friends was among his favorite times to share. Since he was a young boy he went fishing at the same lake in Minnesota, Lake Ada, and took his family there annually. He also went on fishing trips with friends to Canada, and to other Minnesotan lakes with his family.
He enjoyed playing cards and played with several different groups. He would play poker with his group of guys and 500 with the same group of nine couples for over fifty years.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Bonnie F. Cook, Winthrop, IA, two daughters Cathy J. (Tony) Hale, Urbandale, IA, and Cherie E. Cook, Cedar Rapids, IA, four grandchildren, Ryan (Kaidy) Rasmussen, Renee Rasmussen, Carrie Burk, and Jon (Rachelle) Burk, four great grandchildren, a brother Leslie H. (Jane) Cook, Winthrop, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Anna Cook, a daughter Carol Ann Rasmussen, two great grandchildren, three sisters; Virginia Harrellson, Gertrude Meyers, and Marie King, and two brothers; John “Bud” Cook and Everett Cook.
A Celebration of life will be held from 2 PM until 4 PM on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the Church of Christ United Fellowship Hall 534 West Madison St Winthrop, IA.
The Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
James was born on September 2, 1928, at his family’s home in rural Winthrop, IA, the son of Howard J. and Anna E. (Speas) Cook. He attended the Middlefield Township Country School and was a 1946 graduate of Winthrop High School. On August 8th, 1946 he enlisted into the United States Navy and served as a Machinery Repairman Third Class until his honorable discharge in 1949. After his service he returned home to Winthrop, IA to help on the family farm. On February 9, 1952 he married Bonnie Faye Blankenburg at the Methodist Church in Winthrop, IA. In 1959 they purchased a farm just down the road from where his family had been farming for decades, and later built their home there. James was a member of the Church of Christ United in Winthrop. He also helped build the Buffalo Creek Golf Course in Winthrop, IA, where he and Bonnie were members for many years.
James was known for his work ethic. He would often spend hours in his vegetable garden after a full day of working his farm and helping others. In the fall he would harvest walnuts, and would spend hours, shucking, washing, and cracking them. He would often give the walnuts as gifts during the holiday’s to family and friends. Spending time outside with family and friends was among his favorite times to share. Since he was a young boy he went fishing at the same lake in Minnesota, Lake Ada, and took his family there annually. He also went on fishing trips with friends to Canada, and to other Minnesotan lakes with his family.
He enjoyed playing cards and played with several different groups. He would play poker with his group of guys and 500 with the same group of nine couples for over fifty years.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Bonnie F. Cook, Winthrop, IA, two daughters Cathy J. (Tony) Hale, Urbandale, IA, and Cherie E. Cook, Cedar Rapids, IA, four grandchildren, Ryan (Kaidy) Rasmussen, Renee Rasmussen, Carrie Burk, and Jon (Rachelle) Burk, four great grandchildren, a brother Leslie H. (Jane) Cook, Winthrop, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Anna Cook, a daughter Carol Ann Rasmussen, two great grandchildren, three sisters; Virginia Harrellson, Gertrude Meyers, and Marie King, and two brothers; John “Bud” Cook and Everett Cook.
A Celebration of life will be held from 2 PM until 4 PM on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the Church of Christ United Fellowship Hall 534 West Madison St Winthrop, IA.
The Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.