Helen E. Cook

Helen E. Cook, 87, Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away on December 24, 2019, while visiting her family in Overland Park, Kansas.

Helen was born February 10, 1932, in Jefferson City, Missouri, the fifth of eight children to Robert Frank and Irma Craig Schnieders. She grew up on a family farm and graduated from St. Peter Catholic High School in 1949.

Helen was united in marriage to Harry Friemonth Cook on February 23, 1952, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City. Together, they shared 65 years of marriage before his death on July 7, 2017.

Helen and Harry raised their family in the Kansas City area, their last home being near Stanley in rural Johnson County where they made sure there was plenty of room for eight growing children, horses, and a large garden. Helen lovingly raised her children and spent many summer days canning and freezing so her family could have home-grown fruits and vegetables, as well as her delicious jellies and jams year round. Once her children were all in school, Helen also worked as assistant to the administrator of Johnson County Nursing Center in Olathe, Kansas.

In 1990, Helen and Harry retired to the Lake of the Ozarks where they once again chose a beautiful place large enough for their children and growing number of grandchildren to gather. Many fond family memories were made at the lake with swimming, boating, Pancake Saturdays, wonderful dinners, and daily competitions of Scrabble, Tripoli, Liverpool, and other games. Helen loved spending time with her family. She was a good listener, a great cook, and always found time to help anyone who needed a hand.

Helen had a deep love for God. While at the lake, she was an active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, including the Women’s Sodality and as coordinator of the Right of Christian Initiation for Adults program for about ten years. In 2011, Helen and Harry returned to Jefferson City where they were members of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Helen often said she couldn’t imagine life without the Eucharist. She treasured weekday Mass and Adoration each Thursday until she could no longer drive.

One year after Harry passed away, Helen moved to Primrose Assisted Living Center where she enjoyed meeting new friends and being involved in daily activities. Helen continued her Friday morning prayer group with people she loved dearly and her card group of special friends. She often expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend weekly Mass, and for visits with her children, grandchildren, siblings, and other relatives. Helen believed her primary role in later years was to pray for others. If someone mentioned a friend or family member experiencing a hardship or loss, she was quick to say she would put them at the top of her prayer list.

Helen is loved and greatly missed by eight children: Janet Cook, Hutchinson, Kan.; Gary Cook, Kansas City, Mo.; Tom (Nancy) Cook, New Orleans, La.; Dave (Lisa) Cook, Boone, Iowa; Cherie Cook, Jefferson City; Stephanie Argie, Kansas City, Mo.; Doug (Annette) Cook, Overland Park, Kan.; and Dan (Lijun) Cook, Tampa, Fla.; 14 grandchildren: Justin Prowell, Bryan Prowell, Elizabeth (Russell) Lapeze, Hallie (Trevor) VanRoekel, Jennifer Cook, Austin (Lyndsey) Cook, Christian Cook, Alexander Argie, Spencer Cook, Rachel Argie, Amy Cook, Mari Cook, Grayson Cook, Dylan Cook and three great-grandchildren, Isabella Prowell, Catherine Lapeze, and Thomas Lapeze. Helen also leaves behind two sisters, Mitzi Linsenbardt, Sedalia, Mo; Shirley Andrews, Jefferson City; and one brother, Don (Ruth Ann) Schnieders, Jefferson City. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Madalyn Schnieders, Jefferson City; Shirley Schnieders, Independence, Mo; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Helen was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter Claire Cook; three brothers, Edgar, Stanley, and Robert “Jack”; one sister Sister Evlyn Schnieders O.F.M., as well as in-laws Betty Schnieders, Robert Linsenbardt, Don Andrews, and Chuck Hooker.

Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2019, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:45 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 28 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City with the Rev. Louis Nelen officiating.

Entombment will follow in Resurrection Catholic Mausoleum.

Memorials are suggested to the Vitae Foundation, 1731 Southridge Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109 or Helias Foundation, 1106 Swifts Hwy., Jefferson City, MO 65109.