Betty Jane (Nichols) Cook

BETTY JANE (NICHOLS) COOK

Cedar Rapids

Betty Jane (Nichols) Cook, 96, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

Born at home on Christmas Day, 1924, in Sioux City,

Iowa, Betty proved herself quite the gift to her parents, James Kingsley and Lena Fae (French) Nichols. She grew

up on farms in Charles Mix County near Lake Andes and Geddes, S.D., graduating from Geddes High School in 1942.

Betty united in marriage with Alvin Owen Cook on Sept. 5, 1953. They were devoted to each other and valued family above all else. It was important to Betty that the family always sat down together at meal time. Her recipes (especially desserts) will be forever treasured by her children. And while Betty never had the opportunity to play a musical instrument herself, she valued music greatly and saw to it that each child had the chance she never had. Betty and Alvin's home resounded with music, especially during the holidays. And together, the couple showered their children with support, encouragement and unconditional love. For Betty, the needs of her family always came before herself.

Betty worked in sales at Killian's Department store for five years and Petersen Harned Von Maur for 12 years. She was first a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church and later, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After Alvin's death in 2016, and with her own health declining, Betty moved to Hallmark Care Center in Mount Vernon. Betty's children and grandchildren will always hold a sense of wonder about the hardships, simple joys and incredible life she experienced in her youth. Her storytelling about her father cultivating the land by horse and plow; harvesting ice from the Missouri River; the long hours her family spent tending to a large garden; heating and cooking with stoves fueled by wood and corn cobs; living with no electricity, plumbing or phone gave everyone an appreciation for life's many simple blessings. And yes! Betty truly did walk over two miles (carrying her own drinking water) to attend a one-room school house.

Betty is survived by her sons, Bradley (Loriann), James (Marcia), Mark (Tim), David (Sheri) and Karsten (Kendra); stepson, William Martin; sister, Cheryl Fisher; grandchildren, Joshua (Cassidy), Amanda (Richard), Chad (Julie), Nathan (Kelsey), Katie (Andrew), Andrew, Austin, Theresa (Josh), Richard, Shelby, Lydia, Karis, Kaleb, William Jr. and Cynthia (Jim); and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alvin; parents, James and Lena Nichols; and sisters, Shirley Chase and Glenda Kluver.

A private family celebration will be held for Betty. Interment will take place at a later date at Shueyville Cemetery. Arrangements by Steward Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.

Please share your support and memories with Betty's family on her Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com.