Wilma M. Cook

Wilma M. Cook

Clarklake, Michigan

Our loving mother, grandmother, great and great-great “Grandma Cookie” passed away peacefully in the comfort of her own home on Saturday, December 20, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family and a lifetime of wonderful memories. Wilma was born on April 8th. 1934 in Jackson, Michigan. She was the daughter of Onis L. Cure and Beatrice A. (Rowley) Cure. She grew up in the family home on Vandercook Lake, which remains in the family. She was a 1952 graduate of Vandercook Lake High School where she was a cheerleader, on the Glee Club and sung in the Choir, her nickname was “Willie”. She married the “Love of her Life” Richard (Dick) Cook a 1947 Graduate of Vandercook Lake on November 7th.1952. Wilma was widowed on May 24th.1964, when she lost her brother Melvin and husband Dick to a boating tragedy. For 67 years she resided at the Cook Family Farm just south of Vandercook, where she raised and created a loving home for her 6 children. Entertained family and many community children and always had a welcoming full house. Through the years she enjoyed - ice skating, reading, bowling, bingo, the casino, gardening, and family camping trips to ‘The Pine River’. Watching her birds, racoons, squirrels and chipmunks became her favorite pass time these last few years. Which she fed and loved right outside her window. Her favorite times were family gatherings and Holidays together at the farm, where she prepared the best feasts and greatest memories. She went to work at Meijer in 1973 and quit shortly after. Then returned in 1975, she enjoyed social life and working in retail. She opened both stores, Airport Road working in the cafeteria and East Michigan Ave working Produce, driving HiLo and stock - she retired in 1999.

Surviving are her children: Bonnie (Thomas) Schultz, Robert Cook, Richard (Linda) Cook, and Theresa (David) Smak; daughter-in-law, Sue Cook; son-in-law, Chris Tripp; 11 grandchildren, Christopher Tripp, Amanda Curtis, Oliver Cook, Jessica Tripp, Shaunna Castle, Eliott Cook, Adam Cook, Alex Cook, Erika McClain, Bryant Smak and Travis Smak; 31 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; sister, Ellen Lee; and many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. She is greatly loved and will be forever missed! Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Richard George Cook and brother, Melvin Cure on May 24th, 1964; son- Michael Lee Cook April 21st, 2017; daughter- Cynthia Sue Tripp April 10th, 2018; Parents Onis and Beatrice also sister Verna Moore.

The celebration of Wilma’s Life will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 29th 2025, at Watson Funeral Chapel, 2590 Spring Arbor Rd, Jackson with Pastor Mel Cure officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Monday. Interment will be between husband and brother at Woodland Cemetery. For those wishing, contributions in Lou of flowers may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Wilma and her children Mike and Cindy. Please express your condolences to the family at www.watson-funeral-chapels.com.

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