Anita Ann (Freml) Cook, age 89, of Wall Lake, IA, passed away at St. Anthony’s Regional Hospital in Carroll, IA, on Wednesday, March 11, 2015.

Anita was born on March 29, 1925, in Crawford County to Charles Mathew and Anita Anna (Hammer) Freml.  She was baptized and confirmed her faith at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Vail, IA.  She grew up on a farm in Crawford County and attended Milford Township #1 Country School and Denison High School.

On September 2, 1942, Anita was married to Clifford Ward Cook at Camp Polk, Louisiana.  They made their home in Wall Lake and were blessed with five children: Russell, Eugene, Bonnie, Donna Rae and Cletus.  Anita was a wonderful wife and mother, always caring for her families needs.  She enjoyed crafts, canning, cooking family meals, and working in her vegetable and flower gardens.  Anita was an excellent cook and an avid seamstress, sewing clothes for all of her children and Clifford.  She made matching shirts for the boys and dresses for the girls, always dressing them in the latest fashion.  She made Bonnie’s wedding dress and bridesmaid’s dresses as well.  When she was asked to make complete outfits for porcelain dolls they were dressed in beautiful velvet and brocade.  Her greatest gift was teaching her daughters to learn the love of sewing as well as teaching all her children to cook.  She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She will be missed by family and friends.

Survivors include her children: Russell Cook of Wall Lake, IA; Donna Rae Solt of Fayetteville, NC; and Cletus (Jane) Cook of Carroll, IA; son-in-law Robert LaVaas of Tualatin, OR; daughter-in-law Linda Cook of Fayetteville, NC; grandchildren: Andrea  Johnson, Eugene “Pete” Cook Jr, David Cook, Cory Cook, and Casey Cook; and great-grandchildren: Grant and Charles Johnson, Anita and Maranda Cook, McKayla, McKenzie, Khole and Karter Cook; and Cameron and Cohen Cook.  Other survivors include her sister Marjorie Harlow of Denison, IA; many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Anita Freml; husband Clifford; daughter Bonnie Ann Lavaas; son Eugene Cook; son-in-law Timothy Solt; sister Inez Rostermundt; brother Wesley Freml; and grandchild Cletus Cook Jr.