Mary Elizabeth Cook

January 04, 2021

Mary Elizabeth Cook

Service Details

Mary Elizabeth Cook, 101, of Des Moines died on Monday January 4, 2021.

Elizabeth was born on July 25, 1919 in Cleveland OH and grew up on a farm near Lacona, IA. She received her bachelor’s degree from Simpson College and her master’s degree from Iowa State, both in Home Economics. She began her teaching career in Dawson, where she taught Home Economics, Geography, English, and Science and served as the acting principal during WWII. While teaching in Ogden, IA, she met her future husband Jack over runny cake icing - who better to ask what to do than the Home Economics teacher. After teaching in several locations in Iowa, as well as the University of Minnesota, she moved to Des Moines and was a stay-at-home mom. She resumed teaching in Des Moines and concluded her teaching career at East High School. Over her 40 years of teaching, she mentored countless student teachers. She loved teaching, whether in the classroom or outside.

Elizabeth was actively involved at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, where she was a member since the early 1960’s. She played the piano for the adult Sunday school class and served in several volunteer roles throughout her life. She loved to cook for her family and was always good for a handy tip about the kitchen.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her husband Jack Cook, with whom she was married for 50 years, her parents Harley Edwin and Elena Jean (Jeffrey) Mitchell, and her brother Jeffrey Mitchell. She is survived by her two sons Edwin (Kim) Cook of Urbandale and John (Karen) Cook of Doylestown, PA, grandchildren Kaitlyn Cook of Boston, MA, Nicole Cook of Washington, DC, Curtis Cook of Urbandale and Bryson Cook of Urbandale, sister Elena Jean (Mitchell) Wentz of Traverse City, MI, and many nieces, a nephew, and grand-nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 511 Des Moines St., Des Moines.

Due to the Covid pandemic a private family service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church.


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