Herbert Cook

Herbert J. (Herb) Cook, age 94, passed away peacefully Tuesday April 10 in his home at Oak Harbor after a life filled with hard work and adventure.    Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 13, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Private family interment will be held at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault at a later date.     Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory, 607 2nd Ave. NW, Faribault on Thursday from 3 - 7 p.m. and on Friday for one hour prior to the services at the church.     Herbert J. Cook was born November 4, 1917 in St. Peter Minnesota to Andrew and Grace (Lauterbach) Cook where he grew up, attended school, lived and worked in the family restaurant and hotel. While in high school, he formed a band called Cook's Collegiates. They played at several venues throughout Minnesota continuing into his early college days. In 1933 at the age of 15 he took the train by himself to Chicago for the World's Fair and in 1934 returned with some buddies by Model T Ford.     He was a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota Law School. After graduating from law school, already a National Guard member, he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during WWII in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged after 4 years in February of 1946.    After the war Herb returned to the birthplace of his father, Faribault Minnesota, starting his 55 year career from the ground up along with co-law school graduate and veteran, Ralph Keyes. Shortly thereafter Herb met his future bride, Mildred Voegele, who worked at the courthouse. They wed on November 25, 1947 and started a family in an apartment at what is now known as the Hutchinson House. In addition to his law career Herb loved dabbling in real estate always possessing a sharp eye for value. He was involved in the renovation of several buildings in Faribault including the Chickaree, the Evergreen Knoll and Depot Square. Herb was very generous with his time and expertise often doing work pro bono or only what his clients could afford. He supported many charities and nonprofits.       While building his law practice Herb was also a busy civic leader. He is a past-commander of the American Legion Post 43, past third district commander of the American Legion, a Junior Chamber of Commerce Gold Key recipient, past-president and 60 year member of the Faribault Lions club, a honoree life third degree Knight of Columbus, former Faribault City Attorney, former Rice County Attorney, charter member and two time president of the Cannon-Wells Lake Association and an avid booster of Bethlehem Academy, inducted into the B.A. Court of Honor in 2008.     Herb and Millie enjoyed dancing and spent many evenings dancing to the "big bands". In the early 1950s he built a house boat and trailer from a plan he saw in a Popular Mechanics, hauled it over, moored it in Red Wing and spent many weekends on this Huckleberry Finn adventure. Family outings were always important, interesting and memorable. Family, faith and community were the fundamentals Herb based his life around. He loved life and lived it to the fullest every day he could. His reach was cross ethnic, religious and generational.     Herb is preceded in death by his parents, sister; Gen, brothers; Harold, Willie, and Clem, and son-in-law; John Young. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Millie; daughter; Kathleen; sons; Richard (Lynn), Bill, Mike (Amy); grandchildren Brian (Kristen Spindler), Jake (Dana), Ben (Tim Klein), Tony, Anna and Evan; great grandchildren Bayley, Mara, Aly, and Olive; cousins, nieces and nephews.     Memorials can be directed to the Rice County Veterans Memorial, the Faribault Area Hospice, the Bethlehem Academy endowment fund or the donor's choice.