Donald ‘Duke’ Cook
Donald “Duke” Cook, 89, of Comfrey, died on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at Oak Hills Nursing Home in New Ulm.
Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye with Sister JoAnn Backes, OSB, officiating. Interment was in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye, with military honors by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard.
Donald “Duke” Cook was born on August 31, 1928, in Mulligan Township, Brown County, Minnesota, to George and Barbara (Nowak) Cook. He attended country school in Mulligan Township. He lived his entire life on the family farm except when he served with the U.S. Marine Corp from 1953-1956. He served his country during the time of the Korean War, but never saw battle. When he returned from the military he continued to work on the family farm with his brother, Melvin, and playing baseball. He could tell you many stories of the Western Minny League days and he also played fast pitch softball with Leavenworth. He has traveled with family and friends to many baseball parks. He was inducted into the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Cloud in 1996. In 1956, Duke started a girl’s fast pitch softball team out of Leavenworth. Duke coached all ages of girls with patience and precision. He was also the inspiration for the Baseball and Softball Museum in the former parochial school in Leavenworth. He was very proud of all the pictures, news articles and memorabilia that he had put together. Duke has followed every high school sport for girls and boys at many of the area schools. Anytime there was a sporting event, Duke would be there. Duke never married, but his nieces and nephews were his family. As families grew, there came great- and great-great nieces and nephews.
He is survived by nieces and nephews, Dawn (Dave) Nazarenus, New Richland; Denise (Jerry) Osborn, Madelia; Dora Cook and special friend, Butch Sellner, Sleepy Eye; Greg (Stacie) Cook, N. Mankato; Darla (Steve) Remus, Sleepy Eye; Danelle (Nellie) Wersal and special friend, Steve Macholda, Clements; Rick Cook and special friend, Chris, Comfrey; Doug (Melanie) Cook, Springfield; Deanna (Darren) Huisman, Jacksonville, Fla.; Jason (Michelle) Cook, Granite Falls; and many great- and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Melvin (Marie) Cook; sister, Della; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Duke will be truly missed by all who have had the privilege to know him. Rest in Peace, Duke.
Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye was in charge of funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com. Memorials can be made to the Baseball and Softball associations.