JOSEPH COOKE SR.

Funeral services for Joseph L. Cooke Sr., 88, of Wagner were Monday, May 6 at the Greenwood Community Center in Greenwood. Burial was in the Greenwood Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Greenwood, with military honors. Wake services began Friday at the Greenwood Community Center. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner was in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Louis Cooke, Sr. was born in Greenwood to Emma Huapapi and Peter H. Cooke Sr on February 4, 1931. He died Thursday, May 2, 2019 at the Avera Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner.

Joseph attended Greenwood School but graduated from Ravinia High School and enlisted in the US Air Force in 1952, served during the Korean War and received an honorable discharge in 1956. He returned home and met the love of his life, Delores Louise Williams, who he married at the Greenwood Episcopal Church. To this marriage he had seven children: Doris Jean, two twin boys (deceased), Nancy Louise, Joseph Louis Jr., Mary Jo, Rose Mary and also a brother in Munich, Germany.

In 1959, he went into the Relocation program to Texas and worked in a bakery, then returned to South Dakota and became a Heavy Equipment Operator for the YST, and worked for many local farmers.

Joseph enjoyed many things including, hunting, fishing, enjoying the outdoors, singing Merle, playing baseball, hanging out with family and having a good meal.

Josephwasprecededindeath by his parents, sisters: Doris Jean, Dorothy Jane, Eldoth and Faith; brothers: Francis, Peter Jr. and John Sr.; wife Deolores; grandchildren Dorothy and Lolita and great grandchildren Pretty Boy and Annalise.

Joseph is survived by his children, brothers Virgil Sr. and Guy; nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and will be missed dearly.