Donald Cook, age 90, formerly of Nemaha, IA, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake, IA. Donald David was born on December 15, 1933, to parents Merritt and Ruth (Jensen) Cook in Bradenton, Florida. The family, including three sisters, moved to Arlington, Nebraska briefly and then to Nemaha, Iowa in 1940.
From his early years, he was working hard with his father and family on what became the beautiful and prosperous “Clovergold Farm”. His father’s beekeeping and growing Ayrshire dairy farm were a full-time job for the whole family.
Don graduated from Nemaha High School in 1951, excelling in academics, basketball, and baseball. Soon after, he met Mary Lou Nelsen of Newell who would eventually become his wife. He enlisted in the Army in 1953. The Korean War was winding down and Don spent the bulk of his enlistment in Japan. He excelled there as well and achieved Sergeant status within two years. Upon returning home, he married Mary Lou. They lived and worked hard on the dairy farm and had three children.
Don was quite active in the community as well. He served as president of the Crestland School board, served many years on the Sac County REC Board, and was on the board of Mid American Dairy Coop.
After treatment for cancer and the state of farming in the early 80’s, Don was forced to sell the farm. While working temporary jobs he was studying to become a County Assessor. He passed the test on the first try, and was then hired by Monroe County, Iowa to be their County Assessor. He rose rapidly in the ranks to get designations by the International Association of Assessors and President of the Iowa Association of Assessing Officers. Don and Mary Lou lived on an acreage west of Albia until their retirements in 1999, at which time they moved back to Nemaha.
Don enjoyed a vibrant retirement with his new found hobby of fishing including farm ponds, local lakes, and traveling to Minnesota and Canada. Golfing was another favorite past time. He enjoyed helping neighboring farmers with seasonal tractor work. His wife, Mary Lou, passed away in 2012. In 2013, Don was introduced to Pauline Vauble of Sac City by a mutual friend and their friendship was rich with travel, local high school basketball games, and their love of college sports on T.V.
Don was known as “Big Don”, not only due to his stature but to his firm, no nonsense approach to life. His family and friends knew of his caring, humorous, and generous nature. He loved to travel, to read, and listened to all genres of music. He loved entertaining family and friends and his fish fries were greatly anticipated. He was a family man who loved and appreciated his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always looked forward to their visits.
Left to cherish his memories are his sister, Marlene Nelson of Graeagle, CA; special friend Pauline Vauble of Sac City; children, Debra Cook (Richard Barber) of Bellevue, NE, David Cook (LuAnn) of Nemaha, and Brenda Cook of Wellston, OK; grandchildren: Adam Cook (Jenna), Andrea Holmes (Tim), Ayla Loughry (Keith), Alyssa Muehlmann (Nic), Austin Mentzer (Maggie Vogl), and Hallie Gould (Weslee); and eleven great-grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou; parents Merritt and Ruth Cook; parents-in-law Arthur and Opal Nelsen; sister Pat Combes and her husband Raymond, sister, Anita Hamm and her husband Kenneth; brother-in-law Gene Nelson; niece Jolene (Blass) Perryman; nephew Brian Blass; great-granddaughter Grace Holmes, and other extended family members.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorials may be given to the family in Don's memory that they will then disburse to some of his favorite organizations/charities.