Cook, Bruce H. (1944-2009)

COOK, WAGNER, PAETZNICK, SCHMIT, WEISGURT, WEINERT

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/10/2009 at 14:21:57

Bruce H. Cook Nov. 28, 1944 - Oct. 20, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009

Bruce H. Cook, age 64, of Storm Lake, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center of Storm Lake. A memorial service was held on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Alta. Burial was at the Fort Ripley Cemetery of Fort Ripley, Minn. The Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Alta was in charge of the arrangements.

Remembrance of Bruce Cook, 64, always includes a great sense of humor in a fun-loving talker who shared his observances as stories. Nov. 28, 1944 in Spring Valley, Minn., he was born a preacher's son to Rev. Herbert F. Cook and Sarah Wagner Cook. A few years later, the family moved to Springfield, Minn. where Bruce entered the first four years of school. In 1954 they moved to Buffalo Lake, Minn. where Bruce completed high school in 1962.

Singing was an important part of his youth as a men's quartet member in church and school. Playing baritone horn in the school band, tall, dark handsome Bruce was also the drum major for the marching band. Bruce was a paper boy for several papers. One year a customer submitted a full column article to the Minneapolis Star, praising him as the model paper boy for his customer service and neighborliness beyond what was required. A peer reminisces, "I remember a happy-go-lucky kid in Buffalo Lake with love of people, smiles, stories, and a good time. He belonged and was happy being himself." Serving as team manager for sports teams began a life-long avid interest in sports, including when he was a parent on the sidelines of his children's teams.

After one year at Westmar College in LeMars, Bruce joined the U.S. Army and served from 1963-65. He completed his Associate of Arts degree in marketing from Normandale Community College in 1971.

Bruce was employed in many business environments as an airline worker, restaurant manager, taxi driver, telemarketer, Wal-Mart associate, market researcher, and a consummate salesman.

In 1969, he and Edith Paetznick were married, and for 25 years they lived in the Savage and Shakopee, Minn. area raising their three children, Nolan, Kent and Monica. More recently, Bruce enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, Ella Rae Schmit, who is currently one.

After his first marriage ended in divorce, Bruce and Rochelle Weisgurt were married several years. He has lived in Alta and Storm Lake, for the past decade.

He is survived by his children, Nolan Cook, of Shakopee, Minn., Kent (Jodi) Cook of Cottage Grove, Minn., and Monica (Tom) Schmit of Savage, Minn.; granddaughter, Ella Rae Schmit; two sisters, Karla (Sheldon) Weinert of Sheldon, and Ginni Cook of Chicago, Ill. ; along with many nieces and nephews.

© Copyright 2009, Storm Lake Pilot Tribune

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