Jane Cook

Jane Cook, age 76, of Frederic, passed away unexpectedly Monday, September 15, 2014. Jane was born in Holloway, Ohio, on July 12, 1938, a daughter of the late Paul and Bessie (Purtiman) Hudson. Her early years were spent in Portsmouth, Virginia, however at age 8, her father died and the family moved to her father’s parents’ home in Ironton, Ohio. She was raised with a cousin, Florence, who was like a sister to her. Jane graduated from Ironton High School in 1956, and then attended college, graduating in 1961 from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. In the 1980s Jane attended and graduated from the Parkersburg WV School of Nursing, and she earned her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification in the early 1990s. On April 25, 1959, Jane was united in marriage to Thomas A. Cook at the First Methodist Church, Ironton, OH. Following graduation from Marshall University, Jane was employed at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Somerset, OH, as an instructor. As a nursing student and then as a Registered Nurse (RN), she worked at nursing homes in Lima, Ironton and Marietta, Ohio, as well as the Otterbein Portage Valley Nursing Home in Pemberville, OH. She also was an EMT serving on the ambulance squad with the Volunteer Fire Dept. in Luckey, OH. When Jane and her husband, Tom, moved to the local area, she was employed at Pioneer Home in Luck. Jane was a very talented musician and artist. During her youth, she played the trumpet in the high school band and orchestra. She taught herself to play many different instruments and could play the piano by ear. She organized a band with the residents of the mental health facility in Gallipolis, OH. As an artist, Jane was known for her oil based paintings of sailing ships, and for her chalk talks and sketches. She had a great love for animals, and also enjoyed reading, especially mysteries, and collecting post cards and dolls from around the world. As a pastor’s wife, Jane was an active and involved person wherever she and Tom lived. She was a member of the United Methodist Women; a teacher for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School; sang in the choirs; and performed secretarial duties. Throughout her life though, Jane maintained her memberships at the Ironton United Methodist Church and Lawrence County Eastern Star. Preceding her in death are her parents, Paul and Bessie Hudson; a brother, John Paul Hudson, when he was a child; son-in-law, David Mangan; “Aunt Lyner, “Evelyn Hall, and Thelma Fhortridge. Jane is survived by her husband, Rev. Thomas A. Cook, who pastors United Methodist congregations in Danbury, Lewis, Siren, and Webster; three children: Sarah Jane Mangan, Elizabeth Thunder-Dove, and Paul Cook (Joe Baer); eight grandchildren: Samantha, Searra, and Gino Mangan; Trevor (Megan) Koch; Loren Pokela (Christine Knoll); Aaron (Robin Haaf); and Cameron (Sidney Erickson) Thompson, Raee Flores; six great-grandchildren: Marinus Nordstrom, Miles Koch, Evelyn Jane Pokela, Joshua Thompson, Drake Thompson, and Eliza Blinn, and many much loved foster children. Also surviving Florence (Frank) Foster, and many cousins. The memorial service honoring the life of Jane Cook will be conducted at 11:00 am (visitation 10:00 to 11:00 am), Saturday, September 20, 2014, at Siren United Methodist Church, 24025 1st Ave., Siren, WI, with Pastor Gilbert White officiating. Urn burial will be held at a later date in Ironton, Ohio. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Homes & Cremation Services - Grantsburg, Siren and Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.