It is with great sadness the family of Mary Ann Cook announces her passing on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at the age of 76. Mary Ann will be lovingly membered by her husband of 28 years, Rex L. Cook, her brother Bud (Karin) Oelklaus, her children Jim Underwood, Mike Underwood and Debbie Underwood-Rogers and her stepchildren Wes (Donna), and Todd (Dawn) Cook. Mary Ann will also be greatly remembered by her four grandchildren, Justin and Maddie Underwood, Darian and Jakob Rogers, stepgrandchildren Emily Cook Mills, Dillon Cook and Kylie Cook and four stepgreat-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Mary Ann was born in Kansas City, Mo., to Louis and Carole Oelklaus, and is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Carolyn Sedlock and Bernita Johnston, and stepson Bradley Cook. Mary Ann was a lifelong resident of Shawnee, until the fall of 1989 when she married Rex Cook of Iola and moved to Fife, Wash. Soon after, they moved into the house of their dreams in Tacoma, Wash.
Mary Ann enjoyed many activities such as hunting, clam digging, shopping and spending time with her close friends and family. She loved growing fresh fruit and making homemade jam for everyone. She was also active in the Red Hatter’s Society.
In Tacoma, Mary Ann was very involved in the Eric G. Sandstrom Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 969. Mary Ann held many local and district positions within the VFW Auxiliary. Her most notable position held was the State Auxiliary President for the state of Washington. She made a 10-year commitment to the state of Washington and Auxiliary to help serve our veterans and their families. Her hard work and dedication to our veterans goes without notice and she will be truly missed by all. And she did all of this, because.
A Past Presidents memorial service was held in Tacoma at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 969 at 3510 McKinley Ave. on July 9. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you send a donation to Post 969 in Mary Ann’s memory to Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 969, Attn: Gary Grant, Quartermaster, 3510 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, WA 98404.
Mary Ann Cook
