Obit: Cooke, Kermit  (1915 - 2009)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Cooke, Nyre, Klipp, Pezzolo

----Source: The Loyal TRG  (Loyal, Clark County, Wis. 18 Nov. 2009)

Cooke, Kermit  (15 NOV 1915-15 NOV 2009)

Kermit C. Cooke, 94, Mondovi, died on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at the American Lutheran Home, Mondovi. A time of visitation and support for his family will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 4-7 p.m., at the Poeschel Talbot Funeral Home, Mondovi, and again on Thursday, Nov. 19, one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service at Our Savior’s United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dale Engen will officiate. Burial will be at the Cooke Family Cemetery.

Kermit Carl Cooke was born on Willow Farm, Dover Township, on Nov. 7, 1915, to Carl and Clara (nee Nyre) Cooke. He graduated from Mondovi High School in 1933. He completed the University Agricultural Short Course in 1936 and graduated from the U W College of Agriculture with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics in 1951. On Aug. 30, 1941, he married Joy Murial Klipp, Frederic, at the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Frederic. They were married for 67 years.

Always involved in the operation of his farm, he, nevertheless, spent 23 years as a loan officer and later CEO of the Federal Land Bank Assn. of Chippewa Falls. He and his wife retired to their farm in August 1979. Although his primary interest in the farming enterprise was tree planting and management of his beef cow and calf operation, he also raised corn and hay. He experimented with winter wheat, soybeans, and grafting trees. He sold the last of his cattle in the fall of 2007.

He was a student of life; he never tired of learning and returned to school more than once over his lifetime. He loved politics, reading, history and telling stories. In 2004, he published his grandfather’s letters from the Civil War; "Soldier Boy’s Letters to His Father and Mother." This publication led to his being asked to attend local historical and genealogical societies and library functions to share the stories of his grandfather. He was active in the Rotary Club in Loyal, and the Farm Bureau and Historical Society of Buffalo Bounty. He encouraged his children to do well in school and to be open to life’s experiences. He was generous and thoughtful toward his wife. He was a good man who lived a good, long life.

Survivors include four children, Jan (Janice), rural Independence, Joyanne Pezzolo, Healdsburg, Calif., C.H. Erik, Thailand, and Karin, Eau Claire; five grandchildren, Todd (Heather), Webb City, Mo., Jennifer Holbrook, Healdsburg, Calif., Cashton (April), Plover, Colin, Eau Claire, and Anna Li Holey, Eau Claire; five great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Jace, and Charlecie, Webb City; and Shayla and Erin, Plover; two brothers, Robert, rural Independence, and Weston (Frieda) Salem, Ore.; his sister-in-law, Roz Cooke, Monroe, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Our Savior United Methodist Church or the Buffalo County Historical Society in his name.

Online memories or condolences may be sent to www.talbot-poeschel.com.

Poeschel-Talbot Funeral Home, Mondovi, is assisting the family with arrangements.