Cook, Bernice M. "Bert" 1919-2013

COOK, NIELSEN, RITTMER, BAACK

Posted By: Ruth Maring (email)
Date: 8/20/2013 at 14:51:05

Bernice M. “Bert” Cook age 93 of Clinton, died Tuesday June 25, 2013 at Mercy South Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday June 29th at the Pape Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Saturday Noon until the service hour at the funeral home. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Craig and Matt Cook, Jeremy Baack, Jason Stearns, Mike Johnson, and Nathan Weaver. Following the graveside service, family and friends are encouraged to partake of food and drink at the Van Allen Building, 200 5th Ave S. from 3 – 5 pm. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.

Bernice was born on Oct. 28, 1919 in Clinton, the daughter of Harry and Emma (Nielsen) Rittmer. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1938. She married Vernon Cook on Nov. 2, 1940 in Clinton, he died in 2006. Bert worked at the Burpee Seed Co. as a printer for 23 years. She was a lifetime member of Community Congregational Church, UCC. Bert enjoyed playing cards and traveling to visit family and friends.

Bert will always be remembered for her sense of humor and story telling which brought joy to those around her. She maintained a positive attitude in spite of long term macular degeneration and continued to take her walker for a spin around the block. Bernice was a wonderful mother and role model to her children and grandchildren; wife to Vernon, who was a member of the Clinton Fire Department for 32 years. He was a member of the International Association of Firefighters and active with civic affairs. She was the one who kept the home fires burning.

Bernice is survived by her three children, Steve (Kaye) Cook of Morgantown, WV, Vicki (Bennett) Baack of Columbus, OH, and Greg Cook (Jeri) of Clinton, IA; 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a sister. She relished the thought of rejoining Vern.