Grace Anna Cook

Grace Anna Cook, 94, of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Hawthorne Landing after a short illness. She was born August 21, 1930, the daughter of Jacob and Jacoba (Maring) Sluys. She was a native of Kalamazoo and attended Ebenezer Christian School. 

Grace only spoke Dutch until going to school and later helped teach English to the young immigrants from the Netherlands after World War II. She married Bruce Cook and they had two children, Scott and Lisa. Grace was a wonderful wife, mother and Christian woman.

She worked at International Paper Company for most of her career and retired as the executive secretary and the first female OSHA Coordinator. She was very active in the Milwood Little League and Second Reformed Church. 

Her family remembers her as very loving and fun, and that she had a passion for both art and spending time at the beach. 

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa; grandchildren, Sherri Farrar, Bridgett (Denard) Box, Tara (Michael) Brown, Drew (Jackie) Farrar, Ryan (Mary Ann) Cook, RJ (Heather) Hall; and multiple great-grandchildren. 

She was predeceased by husband Bruce, son Scott, daughter-in-law Sharon Cook; son-in-law Calvin Farrar; and sisters, Martha (John) Kiel and Harmina (Robert) Terpstra.

The family would like to express thanks to the staff at Hawthorne Landing who helped make Mom’s last two years great, as well as her niece, Jane Knapp and friend Dee Demler, who visited with Grace often. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11:00am at Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Dr, Kalamazoo MI 49008. Private interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery with her late husband.

Contributions in memory of Grace may be made to: Kalamazoo Christian Schools or Second Reformed Church.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.