Pastor Edwin H. Cook

Pastor Edwin H.Cook, 81, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Monday, August 31, 2009, at Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. Pastor Cook was born November 20, 1927 at Sheridan, Wyoming to Henry and Katherine (Pitsch) Cook. He attended school in Sheridan, but dropped out of school in his senior year to serve his Country during WWII in the United States Navy. Upon completion of his military service, he went back and finishing high school, graduating in 1948. He was united in marriage to Maxine Bolinger on December 5, 1948, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan, Wyoming. At the time the couple were married Ed worked at Sheridan Iron Works and helped with farming operations in Wyoming and Montana. They moved to California in 1954 where he did appliance repair and drove a local fuel truck and delivered to farm homes and fruit orchards. They then moved to Seward, Nebraska where Ed attended Concordia Teacher’s College from 1958 to 1961, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. The couple then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Piedmont, California and then Buffalo, Wyoming where Ed taught school. He also did carpenter work, sold insurance and then furthered his education at the University of Utah where he graduated with his Master’s in Education. Ed received his calling to Seminary and attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. He served parishes in Wyoming and Nebraska until retiring in 1990, when they moved to Lexington, Nebraska to be near their daughter and son-in-law and their family. Pastor Cook helped with 7 different churches in the area and really retired in 2004. He and Maxine lived at Park Avenue Estates in Lexington since December 1, 2004. Pastor Cook loved his family living close to the grandchildren and new great-granddaughter. He also enjoyed woodworking and could fix almost anything and also took great pride in his yard and flowers. Survivors include his wife: Maxine Cook of Lexington, Nebraska One son: Perry (Estela) Cook of Lemoore, California One daughter: Teresa (Jack) Maxcy of Lexington, Nebraska One brother: Bill (Yvette) Cook of Watsonville, California One sister: Lee Bobosky of Sacramento, California Four grandchildren: James Maxcy of Lexington, Nebraska; Katherine (Joseph) Alvarado of Lexington, Nebraska; Christopher (Jenny) Cook of Lemoore, California; Jennifer Cook of Lemoore, California Three great-grandchildren: Brandon and Tyler Cook of Lemoore, California and Aleyna Alvarado of Lexington, Nebraska as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pastor Cook was preceded in death by his parents and one great-grandson, Isaac. Funeral Services will be Friday, September 4, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor Michael Gruhn officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 3, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Hour or the Donor’s Choice. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.