Edmund Arthur Cook Obituary (1921

Edmund Arthur Cook was born February 17, 1921, on a farm near Troy Mills, Iowa, the son of Arthur Franklin and Marie Schonberg Cook. He attended country schools and graduated from Troy Mills High School with the class of 1939. He began his fulltime farming career, spanning over five decades. Edmund was united in marriage to Leah Ellen Keffer on June 14, 1945, at the First Christian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To this union were born four children: Joyce, Diane, Charles, and Sharon. Edmund and his brother Ray always farmed in southeast Buchanan County, where they raised cattle and hogs. Edmund and Leah moved to their present retirement home east of Independence, Iowa, in 1986. Being a member of the Kiene Congregational Church, east of Quasqueton, Iowa, Edmund served as treasurer and custodian. After the Kiene Church merged with the Winthrop Congregational Church to form the Church of Christ United in 1970, he served as a Trustee. Edmond and Leah have been members since. An active community volunteer, Edmund was a longtime member of the Buchanan County Farm Bureau, the Cattleman's Association, and the Pork Producers' Association, as well as a board member of the Buchanan County REC for 9 years. After over 50 years of farming, he stayed active enjoying woodworking and lawn mower repairs. Following a short illness, Edmund entered into his eternal rest on Friday, November 26, 2010, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, at the age of 89 years. Preceding him in death were his parents. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Leah of Independence; his three daughters: Joyce McAtee of Independence; Diane (Gary) Davidson of Independence; and Sharon (Mike) Wilson of Omaha, NE; his son, Charles Cook of Canyon, TX; thirteen grandchildren, two step grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and five step great grandchildren; his brother, Ray (Doris) Cook of Winthrop; his sister, Bernice Dusil near Troy Mills; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A Memorial Fund has been established. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 29, 2010, at the Church of Christ United in Winthrop with Pastor Dean Schlitter officiating and Anita Bowden providing the music. Casketbearers will be his grandsons: Doug McAtee, Daniel Cook, Brian Cook, Nicholas Wilson, Benjamin Wilson, and Zachary Wilson. Honorary bearers will be his granddaughters: Michelle Dudley, Stephanie McAtee, Kristin McAtee, Amy White, Alicia Scott, Angela Bonefas, and Shannon Cook. Friends may call from 1 PM until 4 PM on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, at the Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop and from 10 AM to 11 AM on Monday, Nov. 29, 2010, at the Church of Christ United in Winthrop. Interment will be in the Troy Mills Cemetery near Troy Mills,at 2 PM on Monday, Nov. 29, 2010.