Charlotte Louise Cooke

Cooke, Charlotte Louise

March 21, 1941 — April 12, 2022

 

On April 12, 2022 after a 3-month battle with brain tumours, Charlotte Louise Cooke, known to family and friends as just Louise, went to heaven to be with her Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, where she is now free of pain and sorrow.

Charlotte Louise Sturt was born on March 21, 1941 in the small town of Vermilion, Alberta, Canada to Anna Elizabeth and Stephen Richard Sturt. In 1958 she became engaged to Kenneth Richard Cooke. On August 29, 1959 they were married in the Vermilion Alliance Chapel and then moved to Regina, Saskatchewan to complete Ken’s pastoral degree at Canadian Bible College. While there, Louise gave birth to their first child, David. Later, Darlene, Donna and Douglas came along completing the family: 2 boys and 2 girls—all starting with the letter “D”.

 

Louise was known for her servant heart from the day she accepted Christ as Lord at age 12, to the day she died—a shining light for all to see. She was a devoted follower of Christ, spending time in His Word and praying faithfully for family and friends. Her favourite Bible verse was John 3:16.

 

In their retirement years in Airdrie, Alberta, Louise served together with those in their senior’s apartment—helping with gardening, planning events, serving as a fire marshal and faithfully sanitizing the whole building together with another tenant for almost 2 years during the pandemic. She also led a small group Bible study with her church family up until the day before she went to the hospital, not knowing what lay ahead for her and her family. She had a huge heart to serve others.

 

Louise enjoyed knitting in her spare time, teaching her granddaughter to knit and making hats and gloves and other items to donate to charity. She loved spending time with her grandchildren as they grew up, joining them in whichever activity was going on at the time—camping, tobogganing, playing board games…

 

She will be greatly missed by both family and friends from Canada, the United States and even in Russia where they served as missionaries for about a year. While there, Louise taught English, using her kitchen as a classroom. She loved to bake and share with others. In some circles she was known for her amazing cinnamon rolls!

 

Louise was said to have that indescribable “something” that some have called a classic beauty. She was graceful and stylish, welcoming, kindhearted, generous and a faithful friend—always with a beautiful smile!

 

Louise leaves behind her sweetheart of more than 62 years, Kenneth Richard Cooke and their four children and spouses: Dave and Deb Cooke, Darlene and Brad Penner, Donna and Kelly Seminoff, Doug and Ruth Cooke, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Louise will also be greatly missed by her sister, Margaret Campbell and family; brothers, Eric Sturt and family and Don Sturt and family; sister-in-law, Peggy Christensen and family and Bob and Mary Anne Cooke and family.

 

Louise was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Steve Sturt; brothers-in-law, Curtis Campbell and Fred Christensen.

 

Ken and Louise loved to support the local church, missionaries and mission organizations over the years.

 

For anyone wanting to support their favourite charities, in lieu of flowers, please

send your donations to FEBCanada, Outreach Canada (Barry & Laurie Whatley serving in Quebec) or Teen Challenge Alberta.

 

A Celebration of Life for Louise will be held in Calgary at Harvest Hills Alliance Church on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 3 p.m.  For those not able to attend in person, a livestream will be available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_TGPheQznU.

 

Thank you to all those who supported the Cooke family through Louise’s illness, bringing food, providing respite, singing, visiting and most especially praying for her and her family.

 

Thanks to Harvest Hills Alliance Church for all the years of service, friendship, guidance and spiritual help for Ken and Louise in their spiritual journey. May God bless you as you continue to help families grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.

 

—The Cooke Family