Ruth Winifred Harl Cook, 1919-2008

The Daily Iowegian - 20 May 2008

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  Ruth Winifred Cook, youngest of six children of E. E. (Dick) and Winifred (Bales) Harl, was born March 25, 1919 in Franklin Township in Appanoose County, Iowa. She passed away May 17, 2008 at The Continental Care Center at Seymour.

Ruth Winifred Harl Cook, 1919-2008

  Ruth attended the Hayes Country School in Franklin Township in Appanoose County  with Pauline Barger as her teacher, then graduated from Seymour High School in 1936. She enjoyed attending her 70th class reunion and riding in the Seymour Old Settlers parade. She was teaching school at the Hayes Country School when she was united in marriage to J. W. Cook on December 25, 1938.

  As women teachers could not be married, they kept their marriage secret until school was out in May. She taught again during the war years (43-44) at Brush College Country School and North Wilson in Lincoln Township (44-45). They made their home in Franklin Township, Appanoose County, Iowa. To this union two children were born, Reva Grace Cook and Ray Stanley Cook. Ruth was a housewife and worked on the farm with her husband. They moved to Seymour in January 1979, retiring from the farm.

  She was proud of attending the Iowa State Fair every year of her life after marriage until last year when her health prevented her from attending. She worked alongside her husband running the Stock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair for many years and enjoyed raising their granddaughter, Lynn (who was the apple of her eye) at the horse shows.

  Through the years, Ruth enjoyed driving her red and white Dodge pickup, quilting, playing cards at the Seymour Community Center, playing bingo at the Legion, and driving her B Farmall tractor (that she and J bought in 1946) in the Old Settlers parades. Ruth was known for her sharp mind and keen memory and shared dates and details with those who seeked her out for items of history.

  Ruth accepted Christ as her Savior early in her marriage along with her husband, J. W. and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Seymour.

  Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, E. E. and Winifred Harl; her five brothers and sisters along with teir spouses, Bessie and Reo Bryant, Edna and Addis Staggs, John and Louise Harl, Herbert and Bertha Harl, Grace and Calvin Miller; her husband J. W. Cook; a daughter Reva Cook; and a granddaughter Cindy Lynn Cook.

  She is survived by a son, Ray, and daughter-in-law Shirley Cook of Seymour; and a granddaughter Lynn Holdeman and husband Brian of Granger; and a step great-granddaughter Nicole Holdeman; and a sister-in-law Lena Mae Collins. She will be remembered by a host of nieces and nephews, many relatives and friends.

  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour with Pastor Leroy Perkins officiating. Organist will be Mary Parker with Milton Albertson as vocalist. Musical selections will be "In the Upper Garden" and "Take My Hand, Precous Lord." Pallbears are Dennis Darrah, Milton Albertson, Kenny Johnston, Dennis Doggett, Larry Sales and Marvin Ryan. Honor bearers include Ron McDannald, Maurice Stamps and Bill Eastlick.

  Interment will be in Southlawn Cemetery in Seymour.