Donald Cook

Donald Cook, 90, formerly of Nemaha passed away Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake.

Donald David was born Dec. 15, 1933, to parents Merritt and Ruth (Jensen) Cook in Bradenton, Fla. The family, including three sisters, moved to Arlington, Neb., briefly and then to Nemaha 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 80s, 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 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 TV.

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, Calif.; special friend Pauline Vauble of Sac City; children: Debra Cook (Richard Barber) of Bellevue, Neb.; David Cook (LuAnn) of Nemaha; and Brenda Cook of Wellston, Okla.; grandchildren: Adam Cook (Jenna), Andrea Holmes (Tim), Ayla Loughry (Keith), Alyssa Muehlmann (Nic), Austin Mentzer (Maggie Vogl) and Hallie Gould (Weslee); and 11 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.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at United Methodist Church in Nemaha, with Reverend Missy Erickson officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 8, from 5-7 p.m. at Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Don and his family.