Grace Irma Cook

Grace Irma Cook, 99, formerly of Coffeyville and Independence was born February 2, 1926 in Kansas City, Kansas -- the 4th and youngest child of Ivan and Delia (Lewallen) Coldwell. When Grace Irma was a young girl, the family moved to Independence, Kansas. While both parents worked long hours as pharmacists, she was tended to by her sisters, Louisa and Dorothy. Her brother, Bob, closest to Grace Irma in age, was her regular tormentor. But they were also very close and, eventually growing to a height of 6 ft 4, Bob made a great protector as well.

Having been bright enough to skip the second grade, Grace Irma graduated from Independence High School with the class of 1943. She attended Kansas State University, enjoying sorority life and developing bonds with her sorority sisters that lasted many years. But the call of love was greater still, and on June 24th, 1945 she married the love of her life, Bill Cook. Bill built a house for them in Coffeyville, Kansas and they settled there -- the town where Grace Irma was to spend the next 72 years of her life.

In the early years of their marriage, while Bill worked at the fire station, she worked as a secretary. Grace Irma belonged to many clubs and organizations in Coffeyville, including PEO and a garden club . She was an active member of the First Christian Church and, later, the First United Methodist Church, serving in many roles, even into her 90s. She and Bill were long-time members of an adult Sunday School class at First UMC. In the 1970s, she was a candidate for Coffeyville City Commission.

Grace Irma was the last surviving member of something called the “Flying Needles Club.” As the name implies, this group began as a sewing circle, and included several firefighters’ spouses. Over the years quite naturally (?) it evolved into a pinochle club for couples, complete with potluck suppers, the “traveling prize” tossed about the room through the evening, and much raucous hilarity.

Bill and Grace Irma enjoyed going out with other couples, and visiting in each other's homes. They even traveled together, sometimes with their families along.

Some of these friends were of an older generation, and Bill and Grace Irma always demonstrated great respect and concern for elders. Grace Irma often gave rides to women who were no longer able to drive, and checked in on their welfare regularly. She was a primary caretaker of sister Louisa in her declining months and days.

Grace Irma had many interests, activities, projects, and avocations over the years. Far and away ahead of others, with the possible exception of her deep faith, was her devotion, care and support for her family -- husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and, at the end of her life, great- great- grandchildren. Meals prepared and served. Clothes made, washed, and ironed. Stories read, baths given. Games of Patty Cake played. Hugs and kisses. Listening and laughing together. Encouragement and support. Prayers -- and prayers – and prayers. In these and many other ways she shared and showed her love.

She also enjoyed cooking, entertaining, travel (whether to Tulsa or Paris), handicrafts and design.

Grace Irma moved to a retirement community in Columbia, Missouri in 2017, where she continued to be active and make new friends. She remained in a mutual relationship of love and care with her family.

Grace Irma is now reunited with her parents, her beloved husband, a son, Billy Bob, Jr., her sisters and brother, as well as many cherished aunts, uncles, and other family and friends. Her memory is treasured here by her children Kathy Lou Neale of Columbia, Mo., Chris Cook (Deb) of Bartlesville, and Tim Cook (Sandi) of Berthoud, CO; grandchildren Holly Boyer (John), Kevin Toler (Joseph), Brian Toler (Claire), Chad Cook, Tiffany Cook, and Billy Cook; great-grandchildren Evens Apollon, Josh (Kasey), Matthew, Justin, and Lucas Boyer, Arden, Celia, and Paxton Toler; great-great-granddaughters Ava Kate and Hattie Boyer; and much extended family.

Grace Irma left this legacy – along with many others -- to this earth on December 9th, 2025.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place at under the direction of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel on 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 2, at the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville, 10th & Elm. The family request Memorial gifts be made payable to First United Methodist Church or to the Coffeyville chapter of PEO they may be left in care of the chapel or mailed to Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas 67337.