Agnes Zimmerhanzel Cook

Austin - Agnes "Aggie" Zimmerhanzel Cook, age 94, of Austin passed away on the evening of Thursday, August 26, 2021 in the presence of family. Aggie has at last gone to rest with her beloved husband of 69 years, Herbert Cook Sr.

Aggie, known as "Tata" to her grandchildren, was born January 23, 1927 in Cistern, Tx to Czech/German parents Joe and Agnes (Mares) Zimmerhanzel. She grew up in the Cistern/Flatonia area, raised in large part by her four brothers who she eternally adored. Brothers Charlie and Van Zimmerhanzel founded the Taylor Meat Market in 1947, a fact of which she was very proud. She moved to Austin in the late 1940s and began working in retail at Snyder-Chenards on Congress Ave. In Austin, Aggie met then later married Herbert Cook Sr. In 1950, Herb and Aggie moved to Laredo for 12 years for Herb's job as a civil engineer along the Rio Grande. Those years in Laredo were some of the happiest of her life; she and Herb often crossed the border on weekend nights to party with friends in Mexico early into the morning. In Laredo Aggie gave birth to son, Herbert Jr. and daughter, Margo.

The family moved back to Austin in 1962 where Aggie and Herb built a house on Bradley Drive in University Hills in Northeast Austin. Aggie resumed working for Snyder-Chenards where she was the consummate saleswoman. She worked for the company as a salesperson, then manager, for 30 more years until her eventual retirement.

Held up to modern comparison Aggie's will and determination were unmatched. She decorated a Christmas tree until age 93. She managed to don matching outfits almost to her final day. In her 70s, at the family farm, she battled a grass fire until succumbing to heat exhaustion. She was a product of the Great Depression and had the deep, constitutional toughness of that generation. She also loved people, her family foremost. Gregarious to a fault, there was no slipping past Aggie without being greeted. Aggie was a devout Presbyterian and a 50-year member of the First Cumberland Church on Woodrow Ave. She loved feeding family and friends, playing Bridge with her fellow card sharks whom she loved and adored, decorating her house for the seasons, and anything pertaining to her grandchildren. She made an impression on all who met her and will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joe (Jeff) Zimmerhanzel and Agnes (Mares); by her brothers Joe Zimmerhanzel and wife Elsie, Van Zimmerhanzel and wife Alma, Charlie Zimmerhanzel and wife Angel and Paul Zimmerhanzel and wife Beatrice and, her sister Emma Weiss and husband Ewald, and sister Mary Solansky. She is survived by her son Herbert Cook Jr. and wife Dorothy of Giddings, daughter Margo Portillo and husband Juan of Comfort, grandson Matthew Portillo and Marlene Vasquez of Denver, grandson Christopher Portillo and wife Kelly McGettigan of Austin, grandson Michael Portillo and wife Jessie of Austin and their infant son Pearson--Aggie's cherished great grandson, John Portillo and family of Hurst, Fred Luecke and family of Giddings and her many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660. Viewing will at 10:30 a.m. — preceding the Celebration of Life Service.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital; Hospice Austin, or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Cook family.