Grace Irma Cook, 99, formerly of Coffeyville and Independence, passed away December 9th, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri. She was born to Ivan and Delia (Lewallen) Coldwell in Kansas City, Kansas February 2, 1926. When Grace Irma was young, the family moved to Independence, Kansas. While both parents worked long hours as pharmacists, she was tended to by her sisters, Louisa and Dorothy. Her brother, Bob, closest to Grace Irma in age, was her regular tormentor, but also her close friend and, eventually growing to a height of 6 ft 4, a great protector as well.
Grace Irma graduated from Independence High School. She attended Kansas State University, enjoying sorority life. But the call of love was greater still, and on June 24th, 1945, she married the love of her life, Bill Cook. Bill built a house for them in Coffeyville and they settled there -- the town where Grace Irma was to spend the next 72 years of her life In the early years of their marriage, while Bill worked at the fire station, she worked as a secretary. Grace Irma belonged to many clubs and organizations in Coffeyville. She was an active member of the First Christian Church and, later, the First United Methodist Church, serving in many roles, even into her 90s. In the 1970s, she was a candidate for Coffeyville City Commission.
Bill and Grace Irma enjoyed going out with other couples and visiting in each other's homes. They traveled together, sometimes with their families along. Some of these friends were of an older generation, and Bill and Grace Irma always demonstrated great respect for elders. Grace Irma often gave rides to women who were no longer able to drive and checked in on their welfare regularly.
Grace Irma had many interests, activities, projects, and avocations over the years. Far and away ahead of others, with the possible exception of her deep faith, was her devotion, care and support for her family. She also enjoyed cooking, entertaining, and traveling, (whether to Tulsa or Paris), handicrafts and design.
Grace Irma moved to a retirement community in Columbia, Missouri in 2017, where she continued to be active and make new friends.
Grace Irma is now reunited with her parents, her beloved husband, a son, Billy Bob, Jr., her sisters and brother, as well as many cherished aunts, uncles, and other family and friends.
Her memory is treasured here by her children Kathy Lou Neale of Columbia, MO., Chris Cook (Deb) of Bartlesville, and Tim Cook (Sandi) of Berthoud, CO; grandchildren Holly Boyer (John), Kevin Toler (Joseph), Brian Toler (Claire), Chad Cook, Tiffany Cook, and Billy Cook; great-grandchildren Evens Apollon, Josh (Kasey), Matthew, Justin, and Lucas Boyer, Arden, Celia, and Paxton Toler; and great-great granddaughters Ava Kate and Hattie Boyer; and much extended family.
A Celebration of Life Service will take place under the direction of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel on 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 2, at the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville, 10th & Elm. The family request Memorial gifts be made payable to First United Methodist Church or to the Coffeyville PEO Chapter they may be left in care of the chapel or mailed to Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas 67337. To leave a message of condolence, share a memory or view the live streaming of her service visit her obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
