Frederick “Cliff” Cooke, age 86, died Monday, March 5.
Cliff traveled as a Kellogg Farmer around the world. He was a dairy farmer in Dorr for 66 years. Cliff was a charter member of Dorr Christian Reformed Church, where he served as both elder and deacon. He volunteered with Wycliffe Bible Translators for more than 25 years, and with His Hands.
Cliff enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and trapping. Cliff visited every state in the Union and especially enjoyed spending winters in Florida. Much of his travel was related to mission work.
Cliff is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jane Cooke (Ritsema); their children Barb and Terry Lutke, Pat and Jack Buist, Sandy and Brian Roelof, Tom and Carlene Cooke, Kathy Cooke and Dave Valone, Sue and Bob Snoeyink; his 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; his siblings Calvin Cooke, Dick and Amy Cooke; his brothers and sisters-in-law Mimi Cooke- VandenBerg and Jim VandenBerg, Novie Cooke, Albert and Wilma Ritsema, Sue and Bob VandenBosch, Herb and Joan Ritsema, Roger and Char Ritsema, Cheryl Ritsema, Bill and Verna Ritsema; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ida Cooke; his siblings Shirley Wassenaar, Gerard Cooke, David Cooke; his grandchildren Jesse Buist and Andy Rusticus; and brothers-in-law Bob DeFouw, Jack Wassenaar, and Bob Ritsema.
A time for relatives and friends to visit with Cliff’s family will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Dorr Christian Reformed Church, 4220 18th St. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 9, with visitation prior to the service beginning at noon.
Memorial donations may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice, Moline Christian School or Project Hope, in honor of Cliff. He and Jane felt strongly about Project Hope’s community ministry and donated the property for the current building on 18th Sqtreet.
