Robert S. Cooke

Robert S. Cooke, 94, of rural Independence, died Monday, November 2, 2015 at Gundersen Tri-County Care Center, Whitehall.Bob was born July 12, 1921 in Mondovi to Carl H. and Clara A. (Nyre) Cooke. The Cooke Family emigrated from England in the early 1600s. Bob was the 11th generation of Cookes to be born in this country. In 2016 the Cooke Family will be celebrating the 160th anniversary of the family farm in Lookout.It was a hot and muggy 91 degrees on September 18, 1948 when Robert S. Cooke from Lookout, married Marguerite Abend of Independence. Bob and Marguerite resided in Independence until 1953 when they moved to the Cooke family farm in Lookout. Together, they ran a diversified dairy and hog operation. Even after working long hours on the farm, Bob found time to play some poker with friends at Doug's Bar in Gilmanton. He very much loved farming, but another passion was investing. Throughout his life, Bob was a sophisticated investor in the stock market. He enjoyed the challenges associated with researching and analyzing various companies. To help accomplish this he subscribed to the Wall Street Journal for over 50 years.Another thing about Bob, he always told it like he saw it. Everyone knew you had to "pay the freight". A social man, Bob was always ready to engage in conversation regarding commodities or politics.In later years Bob and Marguerite vacationed in numerous places, with emphasis on Mexico. A little more than two years following their golden anniversary, cancer took the life Marguerite on December 17, 2000. Bob continued to live at the home farm in Lookout until his death.Survivors include three sons, Tom, Bobby (friend, Michelle Schweitzer) both of Shawano and Doug (friend, Jackie Luethi) of Lookout; four grandchildren, Bridget, Paige, Garret and Connor Cooke; brother, Weston (Frieda); sister-in-law, Rosalind Cooke; and former daughter-in-law Ann Cooke; friend, Glenna Burroughs of Onalaska.Bob was preceded in death by his wife; five brothers, Waldo (Ruamah), Kermit (Joy), Sherman (Dorothy), Chauncey (Betty) and Eugene.Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, with burial in the Cooke Family Cemetery at a later date.Visitation will be held at the funeral home from noon until time of services. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert S. Cooke, please visit our flower store.