Doris O. Cook, age 92, of Raritan, Illinois, passed away at 5:49 a.m. Tuesday April 1, 2025 at Bickford of Burlington. She was born May 26, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Roy and Helen Karloske Anders. On August 8, 1953, she married James Henry Cook in Stronghurst. He preceded her in death on July 6, 2020.
Mrs. Cook was a 1950 graduate of Stronghurst High School. She and her husband owned and operated the Raritan Café for many years, and also were caretakers of the Henderson County Museum in Raritan for 43 years. Earlier in life, she worked for National Research Company in Burlington, and Maple City Pottery and Smolers Clothing in Monmouth, Illinois. She was an active member of the Raritan Reformed Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Patricia (Terry) Frost of Omaha, NB, three sons, David Cook of Galesburg, IL, Philip Cook of Paxton, IL, and Paul (Chris) Cook of Stronghurst. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, one sister, Jean Melvin of Aledo, IL and one sister-in-law, Marilyn Anders of Zionsville, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Robert Anders, and one grandson, Calvin Cook.
A joint Celebration of Life for Doris, and her husband, James, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2025 in the Raritan Reformed Church, with Quentin Peterson officiating. Private burial will be in the Raritan Cemetery, at a later date. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Doris’s memory be given to the Raritan Reformed Church or the Stronghurst-Raritan Ambulance Service. Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst is assisting the family. Please visit Doris’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to leave a condolence.
