Willard Leroy Cook

Willard L. Cook, 92, of Great Falls, died Saturday, February 11, 2017 after a brief battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at Redeemer Lutheran Church. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Willard was born July 17, 1924 in Bowdon, ND. He served in the U.S. Army at the end of World War II. After being discharged from the army, he married Wilda June Whims. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last November. He and June lived in Jamestown, ND and Carmel, IN before settling in Great Falls in 1964. Willard had a long career with the Farmers Union Insurance Companies first as an agent then as sales manager and retiring as Vice President from Montana Farmers Union Insurance. Willard enjoyed photography including developing his own prints and had a collection of Polaroid cameras many of which were donated to The Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, CO. He was an active volunteer for 37 years with the Great Falls Genealogy Society. He was an avid reader and had a strong interest in history, especially history of the American West. Willard is survived by his wife, June Cook of Great Falls; sons Dan (Carol) Cook of Lakewood, CO and Randy (Trudi) Cook ofFirestone, CO; brother Melvin Cook of Loveland, CO; two nieces and a nephew; “adopted daughter” Jeri Payne of Deer Lodge, MT; and special and supportive neighbors Wes, Daryl, Patty, and Carla. He was preceded in death by his parents Homer and Hazel and sister Jean Cook. Memorial gifts may be given to Great Falls Rescue Mission, Peace Hospice of Great Falls, Great Falls Genealogy Society, or Redeemer Lutheran Church of Great Falls.