Ruth Elaine Cook was born December 1, 1917, in Graettinger, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Esther (Paulsen) Anderson.  She graduated from the Terril High School in 1935.

On May 2, 1937, Ruth was united in marriage to Ervin Cook in Terril.  The couple moved to Lake Park, Iowa in 1939.  Ruth worked as a bookkeeper for her father at the Terril Elevator as well as for Cook’s Produce.  She also worked as a nurse’s aide. 

Ruth was active in the church and enjoyed singing in the choir.  She was a charter member of the Concordia Lutheran Church in Lake Park.  She served as a Cub Scout and Brownie Scout leader.  Ruth loved cooking and enjoyed her kitchen, fudge and candies were her favorites.  Her care packages of goodies were famous for all family members in college.  She was dearly loved by her family.

Ruth passed away March 7, 2010 at the Lake Park Care Center in Lake Park at ninety-two years of age.

She is survived by her brothers, Bruce Anderson of Moline, Illinois and Paul Anderson of Massillon, Ohio; sons, Roger Cook (Nancy) of Spirit Lake, Iowa and Rodrick Cook (Sheryl) of Newark, Ohio; daughter, Barbara Cook of Emmetsburg, Iowa; grandchildren, Camille (Dennis) Lee of Mason City, Iowa, Aaron (Shelley Rienhardt) Cook of Clive, Iowa, Sarah (John) Boys of Hamilton, Ohio and Daniel (Ashley) Cook of Ames, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Tristyn and Skyler Lee.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers, Donald and Frank Anderson.