Fern Maybell Cook
January 8, 1921 — February 18, 2022
Fern Maybell Cook, formerly of Eureka, passed away on February 18, 2022, at Spring Hill Care and Rehab, Spring Hill, Kansas, at the age of 101.
She was born January 8, 1921, in Climax, Kansas to Nellie Sarah (Briggs) and Ralph Brittin Rice. Fern attended schools in Districts 66 and 52 and graduated from Climax High School in 1937. Before turning 18, she worked providing private home care and housekeeping. At 18, she worked in the NYA Sewing Center in Emporia, Kansas and later worked in the Basham Hospital for two years.
On December 26, 1941, Fern was united in marriage to John Charles Cook, Sr. Their first of seven children, Lynda (Barrick) was born before John was called to active duty during WWII. When John returned, the family moved to Big Horn County on Crow Indian Reservation in Montana in April 1946 to ranch with John’s uncle Lloyd Cook. During their time in Montana, two more children were born, sons, John Jr., and Joseph “Joe.”
In May 1952, the family moved back to Eureka and four more children were born: Laura, Justin, Lorayne (Rivera) and Lynelle (Ladd). Fern was a devoted mother while working alongside John in their business Cook’s Aluma-Fab Mfging Co., where she did accounting and receptionist work.
Fern was a member of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church and served in various positions and had a great love for service to the Lord. Fern was a great cook, enjoyed canning vegetables and fruits, loved music and her cats and dogs. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and loved all her extended family. For the past eleven years, Fern had been living in a skilled nursing facility where she had many friends and participated in many activities and was loved by all.
Fern was preceded in death by her beloved parents; husband; one son, John, Jr.; and eight beloved siblings: Margaret Evelyn Rice, Norman Adelbert Rice, Homer E. Rice, Vernon Dale Rice, Erma Nell Rice, Margery Frances Hoover, Earl Brittin “Jack” Rice, and Hazel Caroline Morse. Fern leaves behind two sons: Joe and wife, LeeAnna of Boise, Idaho; and Justin of Eureka; daughter-in-law, Linda Cook of Rockwall, Texas; four daughters: Lynda Barrick of San Leandro, California; Laura Cook of Gardner, Kansas; Lorayne Rivera of Junction City, Kansas; and Lynelle Ladd and husband, Olin of Topeka, Kansas; 19 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Jeanie Hughes of Wichita, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, February 25, 2022, at Jefferson Street Baptist Church, in Eureka with Pastor John Craighead officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Jefferson Street Baptist Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045 which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.
She was born January 8, 1921, in Climax, Kansas to Nellie Sarah (Briggs) and Ralph Brittin Rice. Fern attended schools in Districts 66 and 52 and graduated from Climax High School in 1937. Before turning 18, she worked providing private home care and housekeeping. At 18, she worked in the NYA Sewing Center in Emporia, Kansas and later worked in the Basham Hospital for two years.
On December 26, 1941, Fern was united in marriage to John Charles Cook, Sr. Their first of seven children, Lynda (Barrick) was born before John was called to active duty during WWII. When John returned, the family moved to Big Horn County on Crow Indian Reservation in Montana in April 1946 to ranch with John’s uncle Lloyd Cook. During their time in Montana, two more children were born, sons, John Jr., and Joseph “Joe.”
In May 1952, the family moved back to Eureka and four more children were born: Laura, Justin, Lorayne (Rivera) and Lynelle (Ladd). Fern was a devoted mother while working alongside John in their business Cook’s Aluma-Fab Mfging Co., where she did accounting and receptionist work.
Fern was a member of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church and served in various positions and had a great love for service to the Lord. Fern was a great cook, enjoyed canning vegetables and fruits, loved music and her cats and dogs. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and loved all her extended family. For the past eleven years, Fern had been living in a skilled nursing facility where she had many friends and participated in many activities and was loved by all.
Fern was preceded in death by her beloved parents; husband; one son, John, Jr.; and eight beloved siblings: Margaret Evelyn Rice, Norman Adelbert Rice, Homer E. Rice, Vernon Dale Rice, Erma Nell Rice, Margery Frances Hoover, Earl Brittin “Jack” Rice, and Hazel Caroline Morse. Fern leaves behind two sons: Joe and wife, LeeAnna of Boise, Idaho; and Justin of Eureka; daughter-in-law, Linda Cook of Rockwall, Texas; four daughters: Lynda Barrick of San Leandro, California; Laura Cook of Gardner, Kansas; Lorayne Rivera of Junction City, Kansas; and Lynelle Ladd and husband, Olin of Topeka, Kansas; 19 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Jeanie Hughes of Wichita, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, February 25, 2022, at Jefferson Street Baptist Church, in Eureka with Pastor John Craighead officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Jefferson Street Baptist Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045 which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.
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