Valerie Allene Cook, 88, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at the Main Street Manor in Russell, Kansas.

Valerie was born on May 28, 1930, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Bert William and Aimee Grace (Wood) Vanderbur.  She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1948.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Elson Eugene Cook on January 28, 1951, in Russell.  This union was blessed with four children:   Rebecca, Carolyn, Kevin and Keith.  They made their home in Russell.

Valerie considered herself a "domestic engineer" and took pride in being a homemaker taking care of her husband and children.  She attended Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell and enjoyed playing with several bridge clubs over the years.  She enjoyed croquet, ping pong, and horseshoes.  She also enjoyed canning, cooking, baking, camping at Lake Wilson, water aerobics, making Christmas candy and entertaining guests with her jokes and stories.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Surviving family include daughters, Rebecca Finnegan and husband Jon of Russell, Kansas and Carolyn Toalson and husband David of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; sons Kevin Cook and wife Tammy of Wichita, Kansas and Keith Cook and wife Denise of Spring, Texas; brothers Dennis Vanderbur and wife Bengi of Marysville, Tennessee and Gary Vanderbur and wife Christine of Ft. Myers, Florida; sister, Barbara Westerman and husband Byron of Branson, Missouri; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elson on June 16, 2014, and two sisters Judy Weis and Jeanne Dale.

Celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 22, 2018, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating.  Cremation will follow the service.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Friday, December 21, 2018, at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday evening.  In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with Otterbein United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.