Donald D. Cook

Donald Duane Cook, 81, longtime resident of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Monday, January 24, at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Donald was born in the family home on Cedar Street September 25th, 1940, the son of Elmer and Elsie (Ayers) Cook. He graduated from Atlantic High School in 1958.

He worked at Brewers Gas Station until joining the Army National Guard in 1960, completing basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He was then stationed at Fort Dix, NJ, and joined the Iowa National Guard as a full-time Administrative Supply Technician in Atlantic, IA. Don loved to tell stories about the Alaska winter survival training where he was a ski instructor which required “bivouacking” in below zero temperatures. He also told of many stories going to Camp Ripley, MN, where he was known as being the favorite company leader.

Over the years he also worked at Sherwin Williams, Henningsen Construction and Heithoff Furniture Store.

Don married Donna Blakely from Lewis, IA in July of 1961. From this union 3 children were born: Donald II, Dick and Danette. They lived in Atlantic and Lewis and eventually settled back in Atlantic in 1974 when Don started his Cook Sanitation business (est. 1973). He enjoyed serving the Atlantic and surrounding communities over the course of almost 50 years until his retirement.

Don enjoyed playing cards, fishing, boating/camping at Lake Icaria with family and absolutely loved dancing to country music. He treasured his family and kids as he never missed a football, volleyball game or a track meet. In most recent years, Don enjoyed bantering and laughing with his coffee club guys. He enjoyed traveling and was able to cross off his bucket list going to Germany, where his ancestors originated. He also travelled to England, Ireland, Mexico, Hawaii, Nevada, AZ and CO. Don was a member of Masons, Elks and Eagles.

Don is survived by his three children, Donald II (Angie) Cook of Atlantic, Dick Cook of Atlantic and Danette (Paul) Van Hofwegen of Las Vegas, NV; five grandchildren, Michaela (JR.) Mayberry of Omaha, NE, Matthew Cook of Atlantic, Dalton (Jordan) Cook of Atlantic, Derek (Kennedy) Cook of Atlantic, and Mariah Cook of Maryville, MO; four great-grandchildren, Cora Cook, Claire Cook, Ayden Vetter, and Abel Vetter, all of Atlantic; two sisters, Velma Wheeler of Red Oak and Marilyn (Don) Weber of Leesburg, FL; sister-in-law, Rosalee Cook of Atlantic and Karen (Cook) Theulen of Atlantic; and his loyal canine companion, Max.

Preceding him in death include his parents; grandson, Jared Cook; sisters, Betty Glissman, Norma Vollmuth, and Talena Wheatley; brothers, Ernest Cook, Darrell Cook, Cleo Cook, and Robert Cook; a brother in infancy; sister-in-law, Dorothy Cook; brothers- in-law, Bob Wheeler, Leonard Glissman, Ferd Vollmuth and John Wheatley; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Saturday, January 29th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 30th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, with a Masonic service given by the Marne Grove Lodge #492 A.F.& A.M. The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by end of day Monday. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is mask friendly.

Burial, with military honors by the Atlantic Color Guard, will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to causes within the Atlantic community.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Donald’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.