Cook, J. D. 1861 - 1927

COOK, KUEHL, KELPIN, KELPIEN, STENCE, EHRHARDT, WILKE, SUMMERS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/15/2019 at 10:31:58

Clayton County Register, Thur., 22 Sept. 1927.

It was indeed a surprise to many when it became known that J. D. Cook, a resident of Elkader, had passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Geo. W. Kuehl, fifteen minutes before midnight, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 1927. The very same day he had been calling at the homes of two of his daughters, and after returning home enjoyed the evening visiting with relatives on the porch. Death came unexpectedly just a few minutes after he had retired for the night.

J. D. Cook, son of Henry and Mary Ann Cook, was born in Marion twp., Clayton County, Iowa, July 12, 1861. At the age of 23 years, on January 27, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Lena Kelpin. The young married couple went to housekeeping in Elkader, where Mr. Cook was employed by the Jake Stemmer "Implement Concern". After a few years the family moved on the Charles Kelpien farm in Read twp., and from there on their own farm in the same twp., where they remained until nine years ago, when they gave up farming and moved to Elkader. Here Mr. Cook found employment as a teamster, and as such was kept busy every day, and worked very hard until about ten weeks ago when a general disability, caused by a complication of diseases, forced him to give up.

Since the fourth day of July he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. George W. Kuehl and family, and everything possible was done to give comfort and relief. Having been confined to his bed for a few weeks, he rallied somewhat of late and seemed stronger and more cheerful, therefore it was quite a shock (several words blurred) realized that the messenger of death had entered during the quiet of the night, even without a sign of warning.

The departed, having attained the age of 66 years, two months and one day, leaves his wife, Mrs. Lena Cook, and four daughters; Mrs. Ray Stence, Mrs. George W. Kuehl, Mrs. William Ehrhardt, and Mrs. Elmer Wilke, all of Elkader, Iowa. Two children having preceded their father in death in infancy. He also leaves 17 grandchildren, five brothers and one sister; George and Mary Cook of Flandreau, S.D.; Joe Cook of Egan, S.D.; John Cook of Parkers Prairie, Minn.; Max Cook of Elgin, Ia.; and Endrew Cook on the old homestead in Marion twp. Two brothers departed this life some years ago and one sister, Mrs. Christ Summers, was called to the Great Beyond on May 2_th of this year.

He will be missed in the family circle, and in the ranks of the M.W.A., of which he was a member.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, Sept. 16th at the George W. Kuehl home and in the Evangelical church, with Rev. C. H. Franke officiating. Interment was made in the East Side cemetery.

(Note: The surname Kelpin / Kelpien appeared in the article spelled both ways, as presented.)