David Alexander William Cook
May 2, 1941 – September 26, 2016
David Alexander William Cook went to be with His precious Lord and Saviour on September 26, 2016 at the age of 75 years. Dave was born on May 2, 1941, the fourth of seven children born to Herm and Chrissie Cook of Steep Rock, Manitoba. Growing up on the shores of Lake Manitoba in the Interlake area, he acquired a love for hunting and fishing. He was not an avid scholar, but preferred to run a trap line on the way to school. He was daring and adventurous, riding horses standing up, while bareback. He was our Eternal optimist ; when life gave him lemons, he made lemonade! He truly lived his life with gusto – right until the end!
Dave worked as a signal maintainer for the railroad, before coming to Saskatchewan, where he made two of the most important decisions of his life. One was accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour; the other was meeting a young school teacher named Donna Audrey Thorson, and asking her to be his wife. They married on May 2, 1964 (his 23rd birthday), and both of these choices brought him a lifetime of happiness.
Dave later joined his father-in-law, Chris, and brother-in-law, Don, in running C & D Service in Kinistino. They sold the business in 1976, and he then turned more attention to farming, as well as selling trucks with Don. It was said that he could sell ice to an Eskimo! He loved farming with all of his heart. In 1984, he returned to business again, operating Farm World Equipment, until he retired – if you could call it that! He was still actively involved in farming, and always busy.
Dave obtained his private pilot license as a young man, and flying was always a passion for him. There weren’t many places in North America that he and his Cessna 206 would not venture (from the Northwest Territories to Arizona)! He logged approximately 4000 hours, and loved every minute of it.
Dave and Donna had five children: 1 son and 4 daughters. Their Dad was their hero, larger than life, and words cannot begin to express what he meant to them. He also enjoyed his 16 grandchildren immensely, forging a special bond with each one of them.
Dave and Donna travelled extensively, making new friends wherever they went, and spreading the Gospel too. For many years, they spent several months of the year in Arizona. They made lifelong friends, and many precious memories.
Dave had a special love for people young and old, and this explains his numerous “honorary” daughters, and the fact that he was known as “Uncle Dave” to so many. He always had people coming to him for advice, help and encouragement. He truly lived for others.
His legacy is his unwavering faith in God, and in his family whom he loved immeasurably. Dave is survived by his wife of 52 years – his sweetheart Donna; his five children: Heather (Greg) Hare, David (Carmela ) Cook, Sharon (Florian) Hagmann, Rhoda (Mike) Wittmeier and Rebecca (Lewis) Doyle; his 16 grandchildren: Julianna, Christian and Levi Hare; Hope, Luke and Cale Cook; Daniel, Emmalyn, Matthieu, Jeremy and David Hagmann; Ivan, Natalya and Christoph Wittmeier; and Israel and Ezra Doyle; his special friends: Vitaliy, Luda and Greg Tsekhmistrenko.
He will be missed, loved and never forgotten by his family. It is hard to imagine how life can go on without his wisdom, strength and love in our lives.
Dave was predeceased by his parents: Herm and Chrissie Cook; his parents-in-law: Chris and Audrey Thorson; his brother and sister-in-law: Don and Marilyn Cook; his sister: Marge Cook; and his wee granddaughter: Gabriella Audrey Doyle.
The Funeral Service is planned for Saturday, October 1st, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Weldon Christian Tabernacle, in Weldon, SK. There will be an outdoor tent with audio/video to provide additional seating as needed.
We would like to thank our church family for their tremendous support in so many ways throughout Dave’s illness. He loved each and every one of you. We would also like to offer special thanks to the medical personnel who took such good care of Dave: Dr. Ahmed and Tracy from the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic; Dr. Penz, also from Saskatoon; Dr. Alanna Surkan and Dr. Royeppen from Prince Albert; Nicole and her staff of Home Care nurses; and our special nurse: Janet Stabner.
In lieu of flowers, a Memorial has been established for the Weldon Christian Tabernacle Missionary Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.MacKenzieChapel.ca. Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium. Brian and Bev Stobbs, Tracy-Lynn Switzer, Funeral Directors. 306.763.8488 www.MacKenzieChapel.ca
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