Stephen Justin Cook
June 12, 1979 — April 18, 2015
Stephen Justin Cook of Palo passed away Saturday at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 35. Visitation will be held at Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home in Manchester (925 W Main Street), Tuesday, from 2pm-8pm. A funeral mass will be held for Stephen on Wednesday, at 11am, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ryan. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Family and friends were incredibly important to Stephen; he was a devoted husband to his wife, Lisa Wulfekuhle, and amazing father to his son Lucky, 16, and daughter Piper, 3. Stephen, known to many as Beano or Cook, is also survived by his parents Donald and Karen Cook of Ryan, brother Nathan Cook of Fredericksburg, Virginia, sister Joelle Cook and husband Shawn Wright of Seattle, Washington, sister Jennifer Cook and fiancé Ryan Luse of Des Moines, brother Christopher Cook and fiancée Ashley Richardson of Fort Worth, Texas, grandfather Ray Cook and wife Doris of Winthrop, parents-in-law Randy and Ellen Wulfekuhle of Manchester, brother-in-law Arron Wulfekuhle and wife Kelly of Cedar Rapids, Chad Wulfekuhle and fiancée Robyn Morris and sons Aiden and Mason of Manchester, and Todd Wulfekuhle and wife Samantha and son Reid of Palo. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, fellow fire fighters, and colleagues who loved him and know that they are a better person because of him. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Leslie and Rosemary Tumey of Ryan, paternal grandmother Lorraine Cook of Winthrop, and cousin Michael Tumey of Hopkinton.
Stephen lit up every room he walked into. He was a gifted story teller, and could turn even the most banal occurrence into a hilarious tale. His wit, kind heart, infectious humor, and easy going nature led to many strong friendships. As one friend reflected, “To know Stephen was to love him.” He was the go-to guy for many of his family and friends –always willing to help out when needed or to take on new challenges.
Kind and generous from the start, Stephen spent much of his time volunteering in his community. He coached various little league sports in Ryan and Manchester. For the past decade, he was able to live his dream of being a volunteer firefighter, first in Ryan and, for the past five years, in Palo. Stephen was an organ donor, and we hope that many lives will benefit from his generosity.
Since 2008, Stephen worked for the City of Cedar Rapids Water Division. Prior to that, he worked for the cities of Central City and Ryan, and the Delaware County Conservation Board. Stephen was a 2002 graduate of Iowa State University and a 1997 graduate of West Delaware High School.
In his short life, Stephen brought love and joy to so many people. He was a genuinely great man and will be cherished, loved, and remembered by all who were blessed to know him.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established or donations may also be given at https://fundly.com/stephen-j-cook-memorial-fund to contribute to college funds for Lucky and Piper.
Family and friends were incredibly important to Stephen; he was a devoted husband to his wife, Lisa Wulfekuhle, and amazing father to his son Lucky, 16, and daughter Piper, 3. Stephen, known to many as Beano or Cook, is also survived by his parents Donald and Karen Cook of Ryan, brother Nathan Cook of Fredericksburg, Virginia, sister Joelle Cook and husband Shawn Wright of Seattle, Washington, sister Jennifer Cook and fiancé Ryan Luse of Des Moines, brother Christopher Cook and fiancée Ashley Richardson of Fort Worth, Texas, grandfather Ray Cook and wife Doris of Winthrop, parents-in-law Randy and Ellen Wulfekuhle of Manchester, brother-in-law Arron Wulfekuhle and wife Kelly of Cedar Rapids, Chad Wulfekuhle and fiancée Robyn Morris and sons Aiden and Mason of Manchester, and Todd Wulfekuhle and wife Samantha and son Reid of Palo. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, fellow fire fighters, and colleagues who loved him and know that they are a better person because of him. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Leslie and Rosemary Tumey of Ryan, paternal grandmother Lorraine Cook of Winthrop, and cousin Michael Tumey of Hopkinton.
Stephen lit up every room he walked into. He was a gifted story teller, and could turn even the most banal occurrence into a hilarious tale. His wit, kind heart, infectious humor, and easy going nature led to many strong friendships. As one friend reflected, “To know Stephen was to love him.” He was the go-to guy for many of his family and friends –always willing to help out when needed or to take on new challenges.
Kind and generous from the start, Stephen spent much of his time volunteering in his community. He coached various little league sports in Ryan and Manchester. For the past decade, he was able to live his dream of being a volunteer firefighter, first in Ryan and, for the past five years, in Palo. Stephen was an organ donor, and we hope that many lives will benefit from his generosity.
Since 2008, Stephen worked for the City of Cedar Rapids Water Division. Prior to that, he worked for the cities of Central City and Ryan, and the Delaware County Conservation Board. Stephen was a 2002 graduate of Iowa State University and a 1997 graduate of West Delaware High School.
In his short life, Stephen brought love and joy to so many people. He was a genuinely great man and will be cherished, loved, and remembered by all who were blessed to know him.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established or donations may also be given at https://fundly.com/stephen-j-cook-memorial-fund to contribute to college funds for Lucky and Piper.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stephen Justin Cook, please visit our flower store.