Martha Dell Cook

Born September 10, 1938, in Wichita, Kansas, Martha was the middle child of William Oscar Hayden and Irene Lavere Johnson. She had an older brother, Bill (William), and a younger sister, Midge (Mary) whom she loved very much. She was raised in Wichita and graduated from Wichita West High School.

Martha met the love of her life, Donald “Don” Cook while she was working at a drugstore down the street from Don’s work at Gateway- Sporting Goods Store. They married when Martha was 16 and began a life together centered around family and love. Martha always said one of the greatest blessings of marrying Don was gaining his daughter, Debi, whom she loved as her own. Together, they welcomed three sons: Donald Jr. (Donnie), Michael (Mike), and David.

Martha treasured being a wife and mother. She was happiest when she was with her family and was always there to support her boys, including Friday night Mountie football games. Family adventures included camping, fishing, caving, and exploring the outdoors, with the Rocky Mountains holding a special place in her heart. She found so much joy in making memories with her husband and sons and never turned down opportunities to be together.

Martha began her banking career in 1970 at Farmers and Merchants Bank in downtown Rogers. She later worked at Bank of Rogers, First National Bank of Rogers, and Grand Savings Bank. She worked her way from teller to officer, but her greatest accomplishment was the relationships she built. Martha knew her customers by name and genuinely cared about their lives. Her servant heart and kindness kept many customers with her for decades.

Martha's greatest joy later in life was becoming a grandmother to Brittni, Courtney, and Bryonna. After raising boys, she delighted in having three granddaughters and fully embraced every moment of being a grandmother to girls. She enjoyed shopping, eating out, manicures and pedicures, traveling, and making memories together. She made holidays magical and spoiled her granddaughters every chance she got. More than anything, she made them feel deeply loved and reminded them often of how special they were.

Martha was especially delighted to watch her granddaughters build families of their own. She was blessed to welcome five great-grandchildren—four great-granddaughters, Brilee, Parker, Lennox, and Collins, and one great-grandson, Braxton. It was a tremendous honor for her granddaughters to have Martha here to love on their children and to see her become a great-grandmother. She cherished this new generation and poured the same unconditional love into them.

While her family grieves her earthly absence, they find comfort in knowing that Martha has received the greatest gift she could have hoped for, she has arrived home in Heaven and is now in the presence of Jesus whom she loved.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, William Oscar Hayden and Irene Le Vere Johnson; her husband, Donald Cook; and her son, Donald Jr. Cook.

She is survived by her sons, David Cook and Michael Cook; her daughter, Debi Mann and husband, Dan Mann; her brother, Bill Hayden and wife, Bobbi Hayden; Her sister, Midge Binggeli; her granddaughter, Brittni Harp and husband, Trevor Harp; her granddaughter, Courtney Whitehead and husband, Dayton Whitehead; her granddaughter, Bryonna Cook; and her great-grandchildren, Brilee, Parker, Lennox, Collins, and Braxton.

Martha leaves behind a legacy of devotion to her family, compassion for others, and unconditional love. Though she will be deeply missed, the memories she created, the love she gave, and the legacy she leaves behind will remain with her family forever.