Mary Ione Cook

Mary Ione Cook died Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Newton. She was born June 9, 1925, to Myrna Mabee and Edwin McGregor on family-homesteaded land that is midway between Salem and Canistota, S.D.

Mary graduated from Canistota High School in 1943 and earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics at South Dakota State College in 1947.

She married Arnold Eugene Cook of Sioux Falls, SD on December 26, 1947.

Her teaching career included positions in Lennox and Valley Springs, S.D., Jackson, NE, and Goldfield, IA. She also worked at Brenton Bank and Trust in Clarion, IA.

Living in Clarion, IA, for 50 years, Mary belonged to the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, P.E.O. Chapter FS, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Clarion Hospital Auxiliary, and the Democratic Party. In 2003, she was chosen as Woman of the Year by Clarion’s chapter of the American Association of University Women.

Mary participated in the “Local Food” movement long before it became popular in its latest form, preserving food for an estimated 75 years. She also was a skillful and prolific seamstress. When in leisure, Mary loved to read, dialogue with others, play bridge, and travel.

She and Arnold joined the Peace Corps in 1987, serving over two years in Costa Rica. Mary taught English as a Second Language (ESL).

In recent years, Mary lived in Newton, IA, and enjoyed new friendships at Newton Village.

Mary is survived by her children: Marnie (Don) Lewellyn, Janet Cook of Austin, TX, Carolyn Barr Cook of Newton, IA, and Matthew Cook (Niels Nielsen) of Seattle, WA, as well as grandchildren who were precious to her: Bonnie Lewellyn of San Jose, CA, Loren Ross Lewellyn of Austin, TX, and Allen Cook Barr of St. Paul, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers John, Lee (Dorothy) and Edd, as well as sisters-in-law Jean, Joy and Carol McGregor, and son-in-law Robert Barr.

A brief virtual service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 with Pastor Chad Jennings of Newton St. Luke UMC officiating. If you wish to attend, send an email well before the service to marycookservice@gmail.com and share your connection to Mary and/or her family.

Another service of remembrance will be held at a later date in the Clarion First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to P.O. Box 852322, Richardson TX 75085-2322; checks may be written to Mary Cook Family. Funds will be used for a tree to be planted in a community setting and for the Clarion Public Library.

The family extends deep gratitude to Mary Sloan as well as the Newton Village staff who generously gave Mary their skillful and open-hearted care.