Donald Edward Cook

Visitation will be held Thursday evening, January 29, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill–Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day, Friday, January 30, from 10 am - 11 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1086 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 1150 North 38th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66102.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Patrick Catholic Church Altar Society.

Donald was born April 16, 1931, in Dodge City, Kansas, to George Guy Cook and Rose Richstatter Cook. He was the second of their three children. The family later moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where they lived and worked on the 310-acre dairy farm owned by his uncle, Gervas Bellamy, and aunt, Hedwig Richstatter Bellamy. At the time, the farm encompassed a large portion of what is now Wyandotte County Lake.

Donald graduated from Washington Rural High School in 1948. Following graduation, he began working as an operating engineer in the construction trades until 1952, when he entered the United States Army. He served from July 1952 through June 1954, was stationed in West Germany, attained the rank of corporal, and operated Patton and Pershing tanks for an armored division.

After returning home, Donald resumed his career as an operating engineer and remained a proud member of Kansas City Local 101 Operating Engineers Union for more than 75 years.

As a young man, Donald described himself as a “dancing fool,” frequenting many of the Kansas City ballrooms and dance halls. It was through dancing that he met the love of his life, Helen Schraad of Seneca, Kansas. They were married on April 12, 1958, and shared sixty years together until Helen’s passing on June 18, 2018.

Together they raised three children: David Cook (65), Larry Cook (63), and Linda Liess, who preceded him in death in 2013 at the age of 42 following a courageous battle with colon cancer.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Helen; his daughter, Linda Liess; and his siblings, Earl Cook and Hedwig “Babe” Cook Bensing.

He is survived by his sons, David Cook (wife Elizabeth) of Olathe and Larry Cook of Turner, Kansas; and his granddaughters, Natalie Cook of Gardner, Kansas, Madeline Cook Whaley (husband Spencer) of Springfield, Missouri, and Alexis Liess of Kearney, Nebraska.

Donald was deeply loved and cherished by his family, especially his granddaughters, who remember him as a wonderful, loving, reliable, and supportive grandfather. He hardly knew an enemy and was known for his kind heart, infectious humor, storytelling, and playful joking. He especially enjoyed growing tomatoes and spending time outdoors.

His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.chapelhill-butler.com, as arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill–Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66112.