Esther Virginia Cook

Esther Virginia Cook

Graveside services for Esther Virginia Cook have been set for Friday in Riverview Cemetery in Green River with Angie Long and Anita Trevithick of the Non-Denominational Christian Group officiating.

Mrs. Cook died Aug. 29, at the Niobrara County Nursing Home in Lusk following a long illness. Esther was born to Martin and Agathe Berentine Wilson on Oct. 15, 1918, in Rock Springs and was raised on the family homestead in Granger, Wyo.

At the age of 13, Esther left home, moving to California. While there, she worked in the shipyards during WWII and later ran a coffee shop with her first husband.

In 1951, she moved to Lusk and acquired the Coffee Cup Cafe, where her homemade pies and soups became locally famous. She worked every day until the summer of 1994.

She married David Thomas Cook of Lusk on March 10, 1968, with whom she built The Pub in the early 70's (where a nude painting, rumored to be Esther, still hangs).

Esther will always be remembered for being good hearted. While in the cafe business, she never allowed an empty stomach due to lack of money. If a person was down on their luck, she would give them a job. She helped a great many in the community, never expecting a "thank you".

She was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, four husbands and one granddaughter.

Survivors include: her husband Dave of Lusk; three children, Ramona Denise Harris of Lusk; Ramon Dennis Cook of David City, Neb and Tina Marie Crecelius of Crestview, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Shawnee Brown, Marcus and Skye Cook of Lusk, Max Cook of David City, Michael, Shawnalee and Daniel Crecelius of Crestview; two sisters, Wanda Dreesen of Lusk and Josephine Eccel of Bountiful, Utah; three brothers, Algot Wilson of Green River, Woody Wilson of Wickenburg, Ariz. and Danny Wilson of Rawlins, plus several nieces and nephews.

Bader Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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