David G. Cook
David Gerard Cook (Dave), 59, began the new decade in his heavenly
home. He passed away peacefully on January 3rd 2019, surrounded by
his family.
Dave was a lifelong resident of the Brownsville area. He was born
August 7, 1960 to William and Bernice Cook. He graduated from St. Mary’s
grade school in Lomira and St. Mary’s Springs High School, Class of 1978. He
attended UW Fond du Lac for several years before moving to Alaska and working
as a hunting and fishing guide for Alaska Wilderness Safaris. Dave
returned home for Christmas in 1980 and met an angel on Earth named Kathy Ward,
who became his wife on October 2, 1982. Together they raised two wonderful
children, Christina and Ryan, who also attended CCLT and St. Mary’s Springs
High School. David and Kathy owned and operated Cook’s Construction of
Brownsville from the time of their marriage until his death; his father founded
the company in 1964.
Dave was very active in his church and community. He served
multiple terms, including as president, for the following organizations: St.
Mary’s School Board, St. Mary’s Parish Council, the Brownsville Community Club
Board of Directors, and the Fond du Lac Home Builders Association Board of
Directors. Dave was also a member of the St. Mary’s Cemetery Committee
and a board member of the Town of Byron Comprehensive Planning Committee. Dave
belonged to Council 664 of The Knights of Columbus as well as Council 12621,
serving as Grand Knight for two years. Dave also volunteered as a firefighter
and EMT, and he coached youth hockey for several seasons.
Dave was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he loved spending time
outdoors with his best friends. In his lifetime Dave amassed a notable
collection of arrowheads and Native American artifacts. Dave was also an expert
gardener, chef, craftsman, and a master carpenter. There was nothing Dave
couldn’t build or create; he brought beauty to everything he touched.
Dave will be missed by his beloved wife Kathy; his daughter
Christina (Chris); his son Ryan (Shara); and his four grandchildren, Abraham,
Oliver, Elena, and Lennon. Dave is further survived by his siblings Sr. Kathy
Cook, Charles Cook, Nancy Fedenko, and Julie Cook; his mother-in-law, Kay Ward;
sister-in-law Kathryn Ward; sister-in-law Wendy (Dan) Buehrens; sister-in-law
Laura Bartolutti (Greg Bauer); brother-in-law Brad (Mary) Ward; sister-in-law
Beth (Brian) Smit; sister-in-law Angela Ward (Bob Holsman); and numerous aunts,
uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Dave is preceded in death by his
parents, Billy and Bernice; his father-in-law, William Ward; and his brothers-in-law,
Perry Ward, Donald Fedenko, and Jeffery Bellmer.
Dave wished to extend his sincere thanks to all the people who
helped him and prayed for him while he was battling cancer, including the staff
at St. Agnes Cancer Center, and Dr. Connelly and staff at the Froedert Cancer
Center. He and his family are eternally grateful for the exceptional care from
Angela Ward, Julie Cook, and the St. Agnes Hospice staff.
VISITATION: Dave’s family welcomes the
community to a time of visitation at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division
Street, Fond du Lac, on Friday, January 10th from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. A
second time of visitation will be held at St. Mary’s
Catholic Church, 699 Milwaukee St,
Lomira, WI 53048,
on Saturday, January 11th from 9:00 AM until the time of service.