Vera D. Cook
Vera D. Cook, 73, passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, Ill., after a sudden illness.
She was born in Columbus on Oct. 7, 1947, to Donald Dean and Bertha Vera (Cox) Smith. She graduated from Culver High School with the Class of 1965.
On April 14, 1966, Vera married Eugene Paul Reichard. They would have two children, Kevin and Tina, and run a dairy farm for 40 years. He would pass away on Nov. 7, 2013.
Vera met her best friend, Ronald Jerome Cook, in 2010 after their granddaughters played Cupid and introduced them to one another. On Dec. 10, 2011, they were married in Story.
Vera and Ron spent the next almost 10 years exploring the United States together. Vera loved to camp and just sitting by the campfire and watching the stars. She also loved her golf cart rides that she and Ron used to take exploring town or out to get the 13.5% wine Vera loved. They were members of Pretty Lake United Methodist Church, and she enjoyed volunteering for the church fish fries and breakfasts.
Vera loved her flowers and garden. She cherished her time with her sisters at Sit N Stitch where they were able to finish making eight quilts together and each one of them got one, priceless sister memories. Who can forget her basket making? There was nothing she couldn’t do.
Family was her life. It didn’t matter if it was rain or shine; Vera was at every sporting event for all of her grandchildren no matter what. It wasn’t often she missed one. She said, “They appreciate me being there. This is important.”
Ron and Vera really enjoyed building a relationship with their great-grandkids by spending so much time with them over the last four years.
If you were to describe an individual who embodies the virtue that we all work to aspire to possess, what would that person be like? She would have no ego and put other people’s feelings above her own at all cost. This person would appreciate the graceful flight of a butterfly and the wander of a hummingbird and actually feel the beauty of a spring flower. The sound of a family laughing at Christmas meant more to her than a trip to Paris. And this woman would have the determination to stay the course when needed and make any sacrifices needed for her family. This woman would carry herself with dignity and respect, and this lady was named Vera. If you were fortunate enough to have met her or have her as part of your life, you would consider yourself the luckiest person in the world.
Vera is survived by her husband, Ron, Plymouth; their children, Kevin (Jen) Reichard, Plymouth, Tina (Ryan) Stevens, Culver, and Ron J. (Kelli) Cook Jr., Plymouth; seven grandchildren, Cole, Halle, Jake, Brandi (Lucas), Collin (Mickella), Jordin (Geoffry) and Cortni; four great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Deacon, Laci and Griffyn; siblings Vivian Bush, David (Marcia) Smith, Ellen (Larry) DeWitt, Sandra Holcomb, Vicky (George) Swizek and Jo (Terry) Listenberger; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Vera cherished her long relationship with the Hillis family and was always grateful for their generosity.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Eugene; and her sister, Donna Ditmire.
We will see you again, and in true Vera fashion, we will end it by saying “Party on, Girlfriend.”
Her memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 8, at noon at Pretty Lake United Methodist Church, 8985 SR 17, Plymouth, with the Rev. Tamara Boggs officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service in the church from 10 a.m.-noon.
Family burial will take place in the New Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pretty Lake United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 266, Plymouth, IN 46563.