Roger Cook

COL. ROGER D. COOK (RET.)

Belle Plaine

Col. Roger D. Cook (Ret.), dearly loved husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 83 on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, after a short, but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Roger lived in Belle Plaine, Iowa, with his wife, Kay.

Roger was born to Russell and Flossie Cook on a farm northwest of Burton, Keya Paha County, Neb., on Oct. 20, 1930 (a birthday he was eager to share as it was so unique when stated numerically: 10/20/30.) His seven siblings, Gerald Cook (deceased), Oaka Cook Roan, Dean Cook (deceased), John (Jack) Cook, Lewis Cook, Zenalou Cook Bennis and Lyle (Hank) Cook (deceased) were an important and constant part of his life. He married Kay Louise Koehn on Oct. 21, 1961; a woman whom he said is "a most loving and gracious mother, friend and military wife who cheerfully took on all the responsibilities that each role called for. She has meant everything to me."

He was the proud father of Brad Cook and Denise Cook Hernandez. Brad is married to Tammi Ely Cook, and Denise is married to Ernesto Hernandez. Roger's ultimate joy as he aged was becoming a grandfather. He excelled in the art of loving, spoiling and nurturing his seven grandchildren. He provided them with a great education on how to be a true Cornhusker. His grandchildren, Ian, Kayley, Amanda, Samantha, Hannah, Katelyn and Breanna will miss him dearly.

Upon graduation from high school, Roger attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He graduated and received his commission from the Air Force Reserve Officers Training on June 8, 1953. While awaiting his orders for Air Force active duty, he taught one year of high school, then began his 26-year Air Force career in the Office of Special Investigations (OSI). Stateside his commissions took him to Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Alabama, South Dakota, Massa-chusetts, California and Washington, D.C. His overseas tours included Korea, Germany and the Philippines. He said that preserving the American flag and everything it stands for is what he devoted his life to. He retired with honorable service as a full colonel in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 31, 1979.

Retirement was short- lived when in 1982, he accepted a position as controller for Pierce Lumber Co. He held that job for 10 years before retiring to pursue his full- time hobby of caring for the 40-acre acreage where he and Kay have lived for the past 35 years.

When he wasn't gardening, he found time to read historical works of non-fiction, serve his church with dedication, travel with his wife, play with his grandchildren and make the best homemade ice cream.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at First Lutheran Church, Belle Plaine. A visitation will precede the service at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to either First Lutheran Church, 1523 Sunset Dr., Belle Plaine, IA 52208 or Keya Paha County High School Foundation, Keya Paha County High School, Springview, NE 68778.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneral home.com under "obituaries."