Kenneth Edward Cook

Kenneth Edward Cook, age 80, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh. A celebration of life service for Ken will be held at 2pm on Friday, December 11, 2015 at Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church (1174 Algoma Blvd.) with Rev. Cathy Wiegand officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from noon until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Evergreen Foundation or Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church.Ken was a very accomplished man who was loved by his family and many friends. He was born on June 19, 1935 in Clarence, Missouri to Virgil and Florence (Farmer) Cook. Ken married Barbara Jean Tarver in 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Clarence High School and was very happy to be able to attend his 62nd reunion this past summer. He received his bachelors degree at the University of Missouri and a masters degree in counseling from Northeast Missouri State University. After further education and employment at the University of Iowa and Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, he worked as the Director of Financial Aid for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for almost 30 years. During his time at the university he helped thousands of students achieve their dreams of college. For his service to the students, the University and the community, he was named the 1986 recipient of the UW-Oshkosh Outstanding Service Award. Ken served several state and national financial aid organizations including a term as President of the Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. He was a strong advocate for his staff and students, and had a special interest in supporting equal rights for all students. He retired from his position in 1998.Music played an important role in Kens life. He enjoyed singing as a part of the ABUMC choir, the MacDowell Male Chorus of Appleton, and the Oshkosh Chamber Singers. Completing the first Fox Cities Marathon in 1991 was an accomplishment of which he was very proud. Ken also loved to travel the worldvisiting Asia, Europe, and Latin America during his retirement. He cherished his time with family and friends and always had a camera in hand to capture the moment.He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his four children: Steven Tarver (Victoria Myint) Cook of Madison, David Edward (Mayumi) Cook of Hong Kong, Daniel Nelson Cook of Minneapolis, and Sarah Jean (Dave) Averkamp of Oshkosh; grandchildren: Margaret Megumi, Helen Nozomi, and Gwendolyn Izumi Cook, and Madeleine Jean and Sophia Faye Averkamp; sister-in-law Mary Janet Cook; and nieces: Renee (Kurt) DeWeese, Juanita (Dan) Waller, Catherine (Dimitri Karkar) Cook, and Suzanne (Andrew) Hakimipour.Ken was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Donald Cook.The family would like to send a special thank you to all of Kens caregivers at Evergreen Retirement Community, and to Dr. Jon Carlson and his staff.

Algoma Blvd United Methodist Church



1174 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.



Algoma Blvd United Methodist Church



1174 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
2:00 p.m.