Walter Wayne Cook, DVM (2013)
ATHERTON, BARNETT, COOK, CORBIN, NEAL, REIS, STANLEY
Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 9/26/2013 at 15:14:58
Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Thursday, September 26, 2013DR, WALTER WAYNE COOK, Stuart
Walter Wayne Cook was born at home in Madison County, Iowa on February 1, 1923 to Walter S. and Leah M. Stanley Cook. He died at his home in Stuart September 20th, 2013 at the age of 90.
Wayne, or Doc as he was known, moved with his family when young to a farm north of Dexter in Dallas County. He was the fourth of five children. He attended country schools and graduated from Redfield High in 1940.
After high school, Wayne worked with his dad on the farm and was then inducted into the Army. He completed basic and paratrooper training and was assigned to the 82 Airborne Infantry Division. He was sent to Europe and was in France, Belgium and Germany during WW II.
After honorable discharge from the service, Wayne enrolled at Iowa State College and graduated from Veterinary school in 1951.
Wayne and Florence Reis were married October 13, 1951. They would be blessed with three children. He practiced veterinary medicine in Bagley and Stuart with both Dale Clausen and Rex Wilhelm as partners. After leaving his private practice, he completed his career as a federal meat inspector with the USDA.
Along with his veterinarian work, Wayne also farmed for several years and operated a grain and livestock farm in Dallas County with family. He retired in 1985 but worked harder than ever through his 28 years of "retirement".
Wayne was active in Service Club, city council, American Legion, Historic Preservation group, and worked for years on the Depot Restoration committee.
Wayne's love of woodworking, gardening, and history blossomed in his retirement years.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, William Carroll, and a sister, Marie Cook Atherton . He is survived by his loving wife of almost 62 years, Florence, son Bob Cook of Stuart, son Dick Cook and wife Lori of Stuart, daughter Joan Cook Corbin and husband David of Pella and daughter -in- law Carol Cook of Des Moines, 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Wayne is also survived by sisters Helen Neal and Velma Barnett (Joe) and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 5th at the Stuart American Legion Hall starting at 10:30 am. Private burial will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
Gravesite
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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