To view the live stream liturgy, please visit https://www.holyfamilygf.org/

John Francis Cook, (94), passed away quietly on Sunday September 26, 2021, at Wheatland Terrace located in Valley 4000 where he had been a resident since 2019.

John was born May 25, 1927, in Tracy, Minnesota, the eldest child of Cleon and Gladys (Weisner) Cook.  He attended public schools in Tracy and enlisted in the United States Navy prior to his graduation in 1945.  He served with the Navy Seabees in the South Pacific at the end of WW II.  His service included preparing watchtowers for test sites on the Bikini Islands before the first atomic test conducted in 1946.  After his honorable discharge he returned to Tracy for a short time before enrolling in the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, after a year there he transferred to what is now the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

While at St. Thomas he met Aggie Satran who would become the love of his life and life partner.  They were married on June 17, 1950, in Greeley.  John received his degree in Business Administration in 1951 just days after their first son Greg was born.  John's first job was with the tractor division of Ford Motor Company in Fargo and the family moved to Moorhead where daughter Debbie and son Tim were born.  He was transferred to Sioux Falls where daughter Cindy was born.  In 1961 he accepted a job with Valley Bank in Grand Forks that had moved its charter from Gilby.  The family lived in East Grand Forks and later Grand Forks, where their last three children were born, Cathy, Mike, and Colette.  John's career with the bank spanned more than 36 years.  He retired in 1997 as president and CEO.  While at the bank he was active as an officer and director in several professional, civic, and charitable organizations.  He was president of the UND Sioux Boosters in the mid 1960's and he and Aggie remained avid Sioux Boosters throughout their lives.  He was proud to be an original member of the Ralph Engelstad Arena board of directors.

With seven children, family was always and forever a priority for John and Aggie.  They were present at virtually every activity and event in which the kids (and the grandchildren) were involved.  They were so proud of their children as they are all college graduates with advanced degrees.  After retirement John and Aggie spent several winters in Arizona and traveled frequently to visit their kids and grandchildren.  The attended multiple family gatherings, including family reunions for their 40 ^th , 50 ^th , and 60 ^th wedding anniversaries.  John's highlight at one of the family gatherings was skydiving in Colorado when he was in his eighties.

He is survived by Gregory (Toni), Milwaukee, WI, Deborah Westfall, Salmon, ID, Timothy (Linda) Roseville, MN, Cynthia (John) Varriano, Horace, ND, Catherine, Jacksonville Beach, Fl, Michael (Julie) Colorado Springs, Co, and Colette (Dave) Jenson, Valley City, ND.  Also surviving are 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of over 68 years, his brother James, and his sister Barbara Ann Nilles.  He is survived by his brother-in-law, Mike Nilles.

Thank you to Valley 4000 for the care they provided, he was forever grateful to the nursing staff on Oakcrest who cared for his wife Aggie before she died.  Thank you to Kathleen Bakke and Paul Howard who were such great table mates and friends during his time at Valley 4000. Thank you to Hospice of the Red River Valley who provided comfort and care to John in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to "The I Matter Foundation" which benefits children and adults with autism, 511 North Tejon Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Memorial Mass : 2:30 pm Friday, October 1, 2021, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Family Greeting: One hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Friday.
Military Honors :  Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 at the United States Navy Reserve.
Interment: Will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN, at a later date.