Maria Ellen (Wilson) Cook (1960)

COLBY, COOK, GOWDEY, KENWORTHY, WESTRICH, WILSON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/25/2011 at 14:00:44

Newspaper Unknown
1960

Daughter of Abihu and Eliza Wilson. Her parents were among the early Quaker pioneers who settled in this part of Iowa, making the trip from Indiana by wagon, some of them drawn by teams of oxen.

In the winter of 1880 the Wilson family moved to Kansas. There, in 1887, Maria was united in married to Charles C. Colby. To this union two children, Mayme and Fred, were born. After her husband's death Maria made her home with an only sister, a widow, Mrs. Urana Kenworthy at Crestline, Kansas. Later both sisters returned to Earlham.

On December 15, 1895, Maria was married to Peter Cook, a widower with two small children, Tressie and Chalmer, thus united two families who grew to manhood and womanhood as one family.

Following their marriage Pater and Maria Cook resided on a farm in the Bear Creek neighborhood until the fall of 1937 when the retired from the farm and moved to California. After spending about 18 months there they returned to Iowa and lived in or near Earlham until about nine years ago when failing health made it necessary for them to enter a nursing home.

In December of 1953 they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. The following June, Peter passed away at the age of 94 years and eight months.

Since her husband's death Maria has been cared for in nursing homes at Earlham, Winterset and Dexter. Death came at the Winterset hospital on November 26, 1960. She lacked only 20 days of having reached her 94th birthday.

Maria Cook is survived by her four children: Mrs. Mayme Westrich of Whittier, California; Mrs. Tressie Gowdey of Indianola; Fred Colby of Ames; and Chalmer Cook of St. Charles. She also leaves seven grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren besides othe relatives and many friends.
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Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, December 1, 1960

Maria Ellen Wilson, daughter of Abihu and Eliza Wilson, was born on a farm near Earlham on December 16, 1866. Her parents were among the early Quaker pioneers who settled in this part of Iowa, making the trip from Indiana by wagon, some of them drawn by teams of oxen.

In the winter of 1880 the Wilson family moved to Kansas. There, in 1887 Maria was united in marriage to Charles C. Colby. To this union two children, Mayme and Fred were born. After her husband’s death, Maria made her home with an only sister, Mrs. Urana Kenworthy at Crestline, Kansas. Later both sisters returned to Earlham. On December 15, 1895, Maria was married to Peter Cook, a widower with two small children, Tressie and Chalmer, thus, uniting two families who grew to manhood and womanhood in one family.

Following their marriage, Peter and Maria Cook resided on a farm in the Bear Creek neighborhood until the fall of 1937 when they retired from the farm and moved to California. After spending about 18 months there they returned to Iowa and lived in or near Earlham until about nine years ago when failing health made it necessary for them to enter a nursing home. In December of 1953 they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. The following June Peter passed away at the age of 94 years and eight months. Since her husband’s death, Maria has been cared for in nursing homes at Earlham, Winterset and Dexter. Death came at the Winterset hospital on November 26, 1960. She lacked only 20 days of having reached her 94th birthday.

During the more than 40 years that Maria Cook lived in the Bear Creek community she was always active in the work of the church and its related activities. She served as Cradle Roll Supt. when that department was first organized in the Sunday school. She also serviced as superintendent of the Home Department. She and Peter Cook were charter members of the Burden Bearers Sunday School class, the first class in the Sunday School to be organized. The motto of the class was “We’re not here to dream to drift: We have much work to do and loads to lift.” Maria was also an active member of the Missionary Society and was a member of the WCTU at Earlham.

In whatever work she was engaged “Aunt Ri” was a good worker, a good organizer, and a good manager. To the very close of her life she retained a keen interest in people and their activities. Though practically blind, and very hard of hearing during her last days, those who visited her were often amazed at her memory, her knowledge of current happenings and the wide range of her interests. She had made special inquiries in recent weeks as to the arrangement of the Sunday School rooms and the kitchen in the new addition to the church.

Maria Cook is survived by her four children: Mrs. Mayme Wetrich of Whittier, California; Mrs. Tressie Gowdey of Indianola; Fred Colby of Ames; and Chalmer Cook of St. Charles. She also leaves seven grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren besides other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held at the Bear Creek Friends church on Monday, November 28, 1960, with the pastor, Ernest Baiotto, and L. Willard Reynolds of the Earlham Friends church in charge. Music was furnished by a ladies trio consisting of Berneita Patience, Delores Jones and Marjorie Jones with Bernice Hadley as pianist. Casket bearers were Walter Mapes, Russell Applegate, Earl Beals, Willard Barnett, Russell Johnson and Willard Hadley.

Among those present from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Colby and Mrs. Dorothy Collins from Ames; Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Roberts and Mrs. Tressie Gowdey from Indianola; Chalmer Cook from St. Charles; Mr. and Mrs. Melville Gowdey and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Gowdey from Des Moines; and Mr. and Mrs. Warren Nelson of Ames.

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