Jane Ellen Cook

Resided in Escanaba, MI
Died May 9, 2019

On Thursday May 9, 2019, Jane Ellen Cook passed from this world to the next at 89 years of age. Jane passed away peacefully at home with her loving family by her side.

Jane was born in Owosso, Michigan on May 19, 1929 and was the first child and only daughter of Harold and Gladys (Post) Breining. Three brothers followed: Raymond, Austin and Frank. Jane graduated from Owosso Public High School and attended Michigan State University until her Junior year, when she married Robert Eugene Cook. They were blessed with 7 children and raised them in Owosso until Bob transferred to Escanaba, MI with the Civil Service in 1968. Jane had returned to finishing her BS degree for elementary education at MSU prior to their move, and she completed her student teaching through Northern Michigan University after her move to the Upper Peninsula,. Jane taught third graders primarily at St. Joseph’s School in Escanba and when that school closed she moved onto Rapid River Elemetary Third Grade and taught approximately 20 years there before retiring. After retiring Jane continued to substitute teach between her many trips to Europe with travel clubs and family. Jane also loved the arts and sewing. She volunteered many hours sewing costumes for Players de Noc Community Theater for many years and she and Bob also enjoyed acting in a few plays, as well as attending live theater with friends and family. In later years Jane developed a love of quilting and sewed quilts for all her children and grandchildren as a token of her love for them.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 1975, infant daughter, Mary, parents, brother Raymond Breining, sister-in-law Marilyn Hartley and sister-in-law, Dian Breining.

Jane is survived by her children Ann (Patrick) Reed, Tom (Aksana) Cook, John (Claudia) Cook, Laura (Peter) Strom, Marcia Cook and Matt (Lori) Cook; brothers, Austin (Carol) Breining and Frank Breining and sister-in-law, Ann Louise Breinig. Surviving grandchildren include: Brian (Kim) Reed, Mike Reed, Erin (Aaron) Randolph, Ginger (Carsten) Grellman, Peter (Anita) Cook, Dan (Melissa) Cook, Philip (Audra) Strom, Lewis Strom, Brandon Cook and Bridget Cook and 14 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Her beloved dog, Dani also survives.

Family will receive friends on Friday, May 17 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 18 at the St. Joseph and St. Patrick Parish in Escanaba with Fr. Eric Olson officiating. Burial will follow at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Escanaba. Jane’s 90th birthday celebration scheduled for May 18 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM will now be a celebration of her life.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Escanaba Friends of the Library, Delta County Historical Society or Players de Noc.

13 Tributes for “Jane Ellen Cook

    Jane was my 3rd grade teacher at Rapid River. That was the first year I enjoyed going to school. I then started to play teacher at home. Jane is the reason I became a teacher. I then had the privilege of teaching along side of her before she retired. The last I saw Jane, she walked a picket line with me….for a few rounds…so educators could get back their 3%. She was still feisty! I remember in 3rd grade telling her she was my favorite teacher….her response was, oh…you will have many favorites. A couple years ago, I had the honor to tell her she was wrong….she was still my favorite. Rest In Peace dear sweet lady……

    Mrs. Cook was my 3rd grade teacher at Rapid River in the 1970’s. I’m 54 now and I still think of her and have shared stories about her to my kids. There was something special about her that still sticks with me today. We all felt special in her class and she was always there greeting us at the classroom door. My favorite thing that year, besides Mrs. Cook, was making puppets for our puppet show.

    I know she has made an impact in thousands of lives and she will live on in their memories and stories of our childhood.

    Prayers to her family and those closest to her. May they smile as they honor and remember her.

    Mrs Cook was my third grade teacher at Rapid. I remember her well. She was one of my favorites. She was cool because she had a puppet house and puppets!!!

    I never had Mrs. Cook as a teacher, but she was a very awesome & sweet person. She would come and get slices of ham pizza every time she went to work on quilts at the senior center. Over the years we have had a lot of conversation about children & grandchildren (hers & mine) . She would always get excited and tell me all about her grandkids & children when they were coming to visit and always after they left to tell me how the visit went. And the same when she went out to visit them. Always made my day when she came in for her slices!! She was so sweet and will be truly missed. Big hugs to her family! She was a very special person!!

    My Jane and her Dani… I enjoyed knowing her as the hairdresser at Northwoods Place. May she enjoy eternal life with all the blessings her sweet soul deserves.❤️❤️

    Jane was my 3rd grade teacher in 1981. Awesome is too little a word to describe her.

    She was firm enough to keep us in line but allowed us a lot of room to explore learning inside those boundaries.

    There seemed to be a different group of us deciding to “put on a play” every week about something we’d just read. It was an excuse to goof off in the library. But Jane held us to each “performance” and darned if we didn’t do it so we wouldn’t disappoint her.

    She left a shining legacy. She’ll be missed but certainly earned her rest. Thanks Mrs. Cook.

    Pete and Laura
    Thinking of you in your time of loss. Your Mother had a great life and a great family. So sorry we will miss her funeral but we will see you soon

    Warm regards Mary K and Dan

    16th May 2019

    Peter, Laura, Phil, and Lewis

    I am so sorry for your loss. Jane was such a kind woman to me. Although I didn’t know her very well, my life is richer for the time that we did share. I will remember her laughter, her smile, and the joy in her heart.

    15th May 2019

    Pete, Laura, Phil, and Lewis

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Jane was a joy to talk to and spend time with. I will miss her smile and her joyful spirit.

    Mrs. cook was a great lady. I was in the other class in 3rd grade but that year a friend of mine moved to rapid and she was beyond shy (no exaggeration) she would only talk to me, she was put in mrs cooks class. Mrs cook was so sweet to my friend she came would come and get me the first couple days and let me sit by her so she would get more comfortable. There are a lot of teachers that wouldn’t take the time like she did to get a shy and scared kid comfortable. Thank you for all you did. you had an amazing heart.

    I was a 2nd grade teacher & resource room teacher (special education) at Rapid River, 1972-1985. I taught across the hall from Jane for many of those years. Jane was an exceptional teacher, and always had a classroom that was filled with joy and learning. I learned a lot from Jane, about life and teaching. She even taught me how to make pasties! Jane was fun and always, always honest. That’s a tough combination to master, but she did it with grace. Rest well, my friend.

    To the Cook Family,
    Deepest condolence for your loss. May your fondest memories of Jane bring you comfort in this difficult time, knowing you can see her again. Rev. 21:4 A promise from Jehovah. Prayers go out for you and yours.

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