Keith E. Cook

Keith E. Cook, 76, of Haddam, KS, died Thursday, September 10, 2009 at the Washington County Hospital. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 14, 2009, at the United Methodist Church in Haddam. Pastor Randy Jellison-Knock officiated. Betty Zenger accompanied Brian and Melissa Boutz while they sang "One Day At A Time", "Daddy's Hands" and "The Roses will Bloom Again." The congregation sang "Amazing Grace." Pallbearers were his grandchildren; Barry Finlayson, Jerod Finlayson, Kyle Cook, Kevin Cook, Darrick Emery, Vexa Emery, Nicol Parde and Darla Emery. Burial was in the Morrowville Cemetery. Keith was born March 19, 1933 at Odell, NE, the son of Ellis and Vera (Means) Cook. He attended school at Endicott, NE, until he moved with his family to Fairbury where he began helping his father on the farm. He also worked as a mechanic at the Fairbury Chevrolet dealership and drove a Bunny Bread truck. He moved to Denver, CO, and on July 9, 1959 he married Barbara Henderson there. Together they moved back to Kansas and he worked at Kuhlman Motor Co. in Linn, Cecrle Garage in Morrowville, and in 1961 opened Cook's Garage in Haddam. In 1984 they moved from the farm into Haddam. He worked for Farm Service Agency in Washington for 15 years before retiring. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, and served Haddam as mayor and city council member. He enjoyed coyote hunting, fishing, playing cards, square dancing and playing Santa Claus. Survivors include his wife, Barbara; one daughter, Beverly Finlayson and husband Garry of Washington, KS; two sons, Nick Emery and wife Vicki, and Kenneth Cook, all of Haddam; two sisters, Joyce Green and husband Gayle, and Karen Flynn; and one brother, Les Cook and wife Sharon, all of Lincoln, NE; brother-in-law, Orville Achtemeier of Fairbury, NE; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Dorothy Achtemeier. A memorial fund has been established to the church. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Keith E. Cook, please visit our flower store.