Russell Lee Cook (3/16/1943-8/17/2021) was born to Clifford and Anita (Freml) Cook.  He attended country school in Crawford County until the family moved to the farm southwest of Wall Lake.  He was active in the football and track and was Homecoming King his senior year.  He graduated from Wall Lake Community School in 1961.

   Russell joined the Army in 1964 and served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1966.  He attended barber school in Sioux City and then moved to Iowa Falls where he met and married Deanne Hepperly.  To this union, Andrea Lynn was born.

   Russell then moved to Fort Dodge where they had a ceramic shop and antique store and Russell had a milk route for many years.  When he moved back to Wall Lake he worked for Kasperbauer Cleaners in Carroll. 

   Russell throughout his life had a passion for pheasant hunting and fishing and enjoyed taking many fishing trips.  Every year Russell raised a bountiful crop of tomatoes and enjoyed canning and sharing his crop with many.

   Those left to cherish his memories are his daughter Andrea (Andy) Johnson of Clear Lake, IA;  grandsons  Grant (Khanh) Johnson of Mason City, IA, and Charlie Johnson of Mason City, IA; sister Donna Rae Solt of Fayetteville, NC; brother Cletus (Jane) Cook of Carroll, IA; nephews Cory (Jessica) Cook of New Hampton, IA, Casey (Caitlin) Cook of Carroll, IA, Pete (Sharon) Cook of Canton, OH, and David (Alecia) Cook of St. Paul, NC, along with many extended family members and friends.

   Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Anita Cook; brother Eugene (Linda) Cook; sister Bonnie Ann LaVaas; brother-in-law Timothy Solt; and nephew Cletus Cook Jr.