Farrell Stewart Cook, 93, passed away into the arms of Jesus on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, from congestive heart failure. He died at his home in Lewiston, surrounded by his family.
Pete was born at home in Carns, Neb., on Oct. 9, 1930. He was the third of eight children of Kenneth Cook and Zelda Stewart Cook. He was raised on the homestead farm working with his dad at a very young age, rounding up the cows from the canyon in the evenings for milking, working the fields and helping with the thrashing.
At an early age, he learned he had an aptitude for anything mechanical. At age 13, he built a lawn mower out of old parts. His earliest welding was by using an old forge. As a teenager, during World War II era when rope was not available, he made a wooden crank machine to bind twine into rope. His inventive mind was a wonder and his family, friends and neighbors all benefited from his generous help with their broken-down mowers, tractors, cars, etc.
Throughout his life, he returned to the farm to see his family and found great joy working with his brothers on old farm equipment and spending time in the canyons. Living through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl greatly influenced him, he never wasted anything that he could possibly find a purpose for someday.
Pete attended Keya Paha County High School, where he played football. He would stay in town during the week to attend school then return to the farm on the weekends, as did his siblings.
Soon after graduating in 1949, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. He worked in communications, laying out telephone lines in Germany. While serving, he and a buddy bought a 1929 Mercedes Benz convertible, which allowed them to explore across Europe until his commanding officer found out and made them give up the car. He served two years honorably as the war neared completion.
Pete married his bride, Patsy Sawyer, in 1954, in Bassett, Neb. They were dedicated to each other and celebrated 65 years of marriage prior to her passing in 2019. He and Patsy made a trip to Lewiston in 1955 with Patsy’s father, who was looking for a job in Idaho. Pete took him to the Potlatch mill to apply. He did not get a job, but Pete was offered a position which started his career as a welder of 38 years, retiring from Potlatch in 1994. His working nickname was “Cookie,” and he made lifelong friends at the mill. He was a disciplined man with a strong work ethic, a gifted welder who worked on some of the most difficult welds.
Pete and Patsy made their home in the Lewiston Orchards where they raised five children. Pete remained in this house for 66 years until his passing. He had a beautiful yard with a giant sequoia tree and his lovely red geraniums. He was always outside in his yard or shop working on projects.
His favorite time of year was hunting season. He was an avid hunter, a great shot, and provided food for his family (elk roast for many Sunday dinners). He took his boys, grandkids and friends hunting at Blackhawk Mountain for decades. He shot his moose on his 40th birthday. The hunting camp was a special place for him, just being out in nature with people he loved. Other family activities included camping, motorcycle riding, steelhead fishing and snowmobiling. Most summers, he packed up the family into the Rambler station wagon for the long drive to Nebraska for family reunions.
Pete and Patsy found special joy in their grandchildren. Grandpa had a silly, playful side with the grandkids, he would tease them, play chase, tell entertaining stories but also teach them how to work hard, have integrity, and the proper way to do things (measure twice and then a third time before cutting a board). He was a special grandpa. He prayed for all his grandkids by name every morning. He leaves a legacy of a life filled with the love of Christ, family and nation. He was truly a good man.
Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy, and three sisters, Colleen, Patti and Janice. Surviving siblings include: Tim (Janice) of Springview, Neb.; Verlin (Joyce), Rapid City, S.D.; Carlyle (Beverly), Springview; and Linda (Eddie), Sherwood, Ark. He is also survived by his children: David Cook (Barb), Lewiston; Mark Cook, McCall; Deanna Warner (Paul), Boise; Darla Rogers (Pat), Lewiston; and Tena Boson (Rick), Lewiston; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Viewing is available from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens, 3521 Seventh St., Lewiston. The family suggests any donations be sent in Farrell’s name to: Fanconi Cancer Foundation (in honor of his grandson, Eli Boson), 360 E. 10th Ave., Suite 201, Eugene, OR 97401.
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- Tuesday, September 3, 4:00 PM
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Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home
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Lewiston, ID 83501
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