Richard W. Cook

Richard W. (Dick) Cook, 85, of Palmer died Tuesday morning, December 12, 2017 at Brookefield Park in St. Paul.

Private family services will be held at a later date, in Rose Hill Cemetery in Palmer.

The family is honoring Richard’s wishes of no visitation.

Memorials are suggested to the Palmer Fire Department or Palmer Senior Center.

Greenway Funeral Home in Palmer is in charge of arrangements.

Richard, the first child of Wayne and Irene (DeBord) Cook, was born November 6, 1932 at his grandparent’s house north of Palmer.  He was later joined by brothers, Jim, Gene, Darrell, John and Kevin and sister Judy.

He graduated from Cushing High School in 1951.  Following graduation, he worked in California before returning to work for the Howard County Road Department.

On September 25, 1960, Richard married Joyce A. Nedrig at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer.  Four children, Phyllis, David, Rodney and Russell were born to this union.

In June 1965, Richard started with the Merrick County Road Department and the family moved to Palmer.  Richard retired in 2007 after working for Merrick County for 42 years.

Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially on the Loup River north of Palmer.  He also enjoyed listening to University of Nebraska sports on the radio.  Richard and Joyce were honored with the Palmer Good Neighbor Award in 2003.

Richard is survived by his children, Phyllis (Randy) Jacobitz of Juniata, David Cook of Oshkosh, Rodney (Susanne) of Omaha, and Russell (Wendy) of Pottsboro, Texas; eight grandchildren, April (Ryan) Harrison, Cody (Megan) Krous, Annsley Cook, Garrett Cook, James Cook, Namoi Cook, Preston Cook and Kelsey Cook; and six great-grandchildren.  Brothers, Darrell Cook of Scotia and Kevin Cook of Muddy Gap, Wyoming; numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joyce; brothers, Jim, Gene, and John Cook and his sister, Judy Rother; and a daughter-in-law, Michelle Cook.