Sondra Lea (Grimm) Cook, 12 Apr 1962 - 25 Sep 2022

COOK, GRIMM, MARTINDALE, FLEENER, PEREIRA

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 10/6/2022 at 15:49:38

Sondra L. Cook, age 60, of Indianola, formerly of Amana, passed away Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Good Samaritan Home in Indianola. A celebration of life gathering will be held from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Friday, September 30, 2022, at the Main Amana Church, Main Amana. A private family graveside service and inurnment will be held at a later time. Memorials may be directed to Rural Employment Alternative, Inc., 495 4th Avenue, Conroy, Iowa 52220. The REA supports employment training for special needs individuals.

Sondra Lea Grimm Cook was born on April 12, 1962, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was raised in Amana, graduating from high school in 1980. She met her husband Dan in 1981 and was married on April 25th of that year. Sondra and Dan lived in Amana in their early years, and this was a very special time for her. She often said it was the best time in her life. She was close to her Oma and Opa and could frequently be seen gardening and canning dill beans, pickled beets and baking her famous apple pie. Sondra and her family lived in many states while Dan was in the Navy, including Arizona, South Carolina, Colorado, and Rhode Island. She liked to travel and one of her most enjoyable vacations was their 10th anniversary trip to Alaska.

Sondra had several careers over the years. She worked at Der Wein Keller Winery in Amana. She was a daycare provider while her children were young, and later a dental assistant and a nursing home activity director. She especially enjoyed her time as trustee for the city of New Virginia. Sondra enjoyed working with crafts. She had a jewelry and candle business and also created many pieces for family and friends. Sondra tied many blankets for children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews for special occasions. Sondra’s children and grandchildren were the light of her life and spending time with them was her favorite pastime. They spent many weekends together camping, boating and fishing.

She was preceded in death by her father Charles Grimm.

Sondra leaves behind her mother Sharon Grimm of Middle Amana, Daniel Cook of New Virginia, her three children Jon Cook of Williamsburg, Malissa Cook (John Martindale) of New Virginia, and Sam Cook of Oregon; three grandchildren Evellyn, Kinsey and Nolan Martindale; her sisters Pamela (Art) Fleener of Ames, and Angela (Horace) Pereira of Amana; two nephews Grant and Ryan Fleener and a niece Amelia Pereira. Sondra also leaves behind many friends.

Published in The Gazette on September 28, 2022.