Cleo Cookman

    Cleo Elizabeth Cookman, 92, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.
    A Funeral Mass was held Wednesday, Dec. 21, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Monsignor Joseph Slepicka officiating.  Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be directed to the Cleo E. Cookman Memorial.

    Cleo Elizabeth Hurd was born April 8, 1919, in Superior, Wis., the daughter of Chester and Lula (Miller) Hurd.  She attended Central High School in Superior and graduated in 1936.  She was a member of the Superior Figure Skating Club and performed solos as an amateur in ice shows in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.
    Cleo attended college at LaCrosse State Teachers College, now University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree.  She taught girl’s physical education at Monroe Jr. High in Mason City from Nov. 12, 1940, until Jan. 1948.  She also taught in Clear Lake 1957-1958.
    Cleo was united in marriage to Walter Cookman on June 14, 1947, in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Superior, Wis.  She assisted her husband in their dry cleaning business, Lustre Cleaners, and in their Mobile Pillow Cleaning Service.
    Cleo’s hobbies included swimming, playing tennis, gardening, sewing, and playing cards.  She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and a former member of Beta Sigma Phi.  She volunteered at the Village Store in Clear Lake, and loved her work.
    Cleo was a loving mother and is survived by her four daughters, Janaan (Ed) McGinness, Iowa City, Iowa, Cherie (Ken) Ferguson, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Luann Mehan, Milford, Iowa and Maureen (Ken) Butcher, Ankeny, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; along with many nephews, other relatives and friends.
    Cleo is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and one brother.
    The family would like to thank the staff of Oakwood Care Center and Hospice of North Iowa for taking such wonderful care of Cleo.
    Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.