Cecil Cook

Cecil “Skeeb” Cook, Jr., passed away April 21, 2014, at the Frazee Care Center under the care of Red River Valley Hospice at the age of 85.

Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee. Visitation will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, April 25, 2014, from 4-7 p.m. with a rosary service to take place at 6:30 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Cecil was born January 5, 1929, at White Earth, MN, to Cecil and Laura (Lambert) Cook, Sr. He was baptized and confirmed at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Ogema, MN. Cecil attended elementary school in Ogema and high school in Waubun, MN. When Cecil was 16 years old, he hauled his first load of cattle with his Dad’s cattle truck to Fargo, ND. In 1949, Cecil married Betty Kraker at the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Ogema. Cecil and Betty moved their 3 daughters and 1 son to Frazee in 1959.

Cecil became the Ogema Constable and Deputy Sheriff of Becker County for the next 8 years. Cecil was also Fire Chief of Ogema during that time. In 1957, he started working for Daggett Truck Line where he drove semi throughout the United States for 13 years. He then became shop foreman until his retirement in 1994.

Cecil enjoyed watching high school sports, especially wrestling and attended as many games and matches as he could. Cecil also enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and playing cards with family and friends. He played over 1,000 games of cribbage with Vic Anderson, George Wokasch and Lyle Dodes. He also enjoyed many card games at the Frazee Care Center.

Cecil was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Frazee Lions Club.

Cecil’s wife, Betty, was the love of his life and his family was the most important thing to him. Cecil and Betty were very proud of their grandchildren and were blessed with 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Cecil’s survivors also include 3 daughters: Patty (Garvin) Mindt of Cambridge, MN, Pam (Dan) Giefer of Frazee, and Mary (Mark) Kemper of Frazee; 1 son, Gary (Debbie) Cook of Maplewood, MN; 2 sisters: Carol Barker of Bemidji, MN and Betty June (Maurice) Coughlin of Moose Lake, MN; 1 sister-in-law, Edith Cook of Ottertail, MN; along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Preceding Cecil in death were his parents, Cecil Sr. and Laura Cook; and 1 brother, Dick Cook.