Betty Ann Cook 1928 - 2011

COOK, UHL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/7/2014 at 21:52:38

Sioux Valley
11 August 2011

Born April 25, 1928, in Mapleton, Betty Cook was the third of five siblings born to Theodore and Jenny Uhl. Her siblings included Theodore Uhl, Jr., Norma (Robert) Michaelson, Darrel (Lavonne) Uhl, and Nancy (Keith) Myers. Betty grew up in Mapleton and graduated from Mapleton High School in 1945. After high school, Betty went to Sioux City where she learned and practice telegraphy.

Betty married her high school sweetheart, Bill Cook, also of Mapleton on July 20, 1947.They made their home in Mapleton where Betty worked at O'mera Shoe Store and Maple Heights Nursing Home and Bill managed the Great Plains Gas Company distribution plant in Mapleton. They raised their two children, Chris (Lynn) Schreurs and Lawrence Cook on an acreage at the edge of town where they raised registered Charlois cattle and enjoyed their horses and farming while Betty especially enjoyed her wonderful gardens of vegetables and flowers.

In 1976, Betty and Bill left Mapleton and moved to Montrose, Colorado where they owned and operated a successful restaurant business. By 1980, Bill and Betty were contemplating selling the restaurant business and pursuing new careers in the real estate world. Unfortunately, in a tragic car accident; their lives were suddenly changed. While Bill was able to recover from his broken bones, in a matter of months, Betty was not so fortunate and was never able to fully recover from her extensive injures to enjoy the vibrant life she once had. Her high school sweetheart never wavered in his love commitment to her and Bill dedicated the rest of his life to her personal care. Their lives were so intertwined with their love and dedication, that one was never out of the other's sight for long.

Bill remained Betty's caregiver as long as he was able until he passed away before her in July of 2010.

Betty is survived by two children, Chris (Lynn) Schreurs and Lawrence Cook both of Ankeny. They were also blessed with two wonderful grandchildren, Wendy (Larry) Hockensmith (Lynn and Chris Schreurs) and Ryan (Stacy) Cook (Lawrence Cook) both of Ankeny. Their late life blessings also included two great grandchildren, Tyson (5) and Kira (3) Hockensmith of Sioux City and Nancy Myers of Grand Junction, Colorado.

Betty's active life revolved around all her friends and family. She was always looking for ways to do special things for others. There was nothing she wouldn't do to make someone else's life a little better or give others lift when they needed it or didn't expect it. She loved her home in Mapleton, but loved her late discovery of the mountains of Colorado and the wonderful friends they made there. She works hard all her life and taught her children to do the same. She taught them to live life to the fullest and to give your all for your family. Though her later years were difficult for her she always managed a smile and a sparkle in her eyes whenever loved ones entered the room.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Mill Pond Retirement Center and the Mercy Hospice staff for the dignity, respect and comfort they gave Betty and her family, especially in her final days.

A private internment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Maxwell, Iowa.