Katherine Sue Cook MD

Katherine Sue Cook of Rolla, MO passed away September 10, 2024 at Rolla Presbyterian Manor at the age of 81. She was born January 11, 1943 in Springfield, MO, to Hiram E. and Viola Florene (Cobb) Cook. She was an excellent student and following graduation from high school went on to study at Drury College in Springfield, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in chemistry as well as a Master of Science in chemistry from the University of Illinois-Urbana.
After graduating from the University of Illinois, Katherine went on to teach for several years as an instructor at Hong Kong Baptist College as part of the Baptist Foreign Mission Board while also serving as a missionary for them in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Upon return from the Far East, she went on to the University of Missouri-Columbia, receiving her M.D. in 1975. Following her graduation from the University of Missouri, she completed an internship and residency at Emory University, Atlanta, GA in 1978.
Katherine's medical career began at the Peninsula Institute of Community Health in Newport News, VA as part of the National Health Service Corps, a community clinic then in its first year of operation. Following this she was a staff pediatrician in Danville, VA for several years until deciding to relocate closer to her childhood home, due to the declining health of her mother, Florene. This led to her becoming a pediatrician for Russell-Young Clinic in Rolla in 1986.
After several months with Russell-Young Clinic, Katherine began dating her medical records clerk and secretary, Bruce Russell. After about five years they jointly decided dating couldn't go on forever and married on May 4, 1991.
She continued to practice pediatrics with Russell-Young Clinic until 1997 when the business dissolved. Following this, she opened her solo practice, Rolla Children's Clinic which she continued until retirement in June, 2010.
After retirement, Katherine enjoyed the opportunity to finally relax and read, using her time to serve her church in various ways and also to learn ancient Greek and Hebrew until she began to suffer from dementia. She was during her life an avid and voracious reader of many things, but particularly of mystery novels as well as science fiction and all things related to Star Trek. She was an accomplished pianist and organist and was particularly gifted in playing the compositions of J. S. Bach, as well as numerous other classical composers.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rolla and served the church in various ways over her years here. She also served for 20 years as a member of the Phelps County Board for the Developmentally Disabled and in various roles for departments at Phelps County Hospital, now Phelps Health.
Katherine is survived by her husband, Bruce Russell, of Rolla, brother, Robert (Michael) Cook, of Silver City, NM, brother, Jim and wife Debbie Cook of Springfield, MO as well as her nephew, Jeremy Cook also of Springfield; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and extended family and many friends.
Particular thanks and heartfelt gratitude is extended to the staff and caregivers of Presbyterian Manor of Rolla for their compassionate care and attention to Katherine during her three years at the facility. Our debt to them can never be fully repaid.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church of Rolla, the Alzheimer's Association or charity of the donor's choice.
A funeral service for Katherine S. Cook will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla. Interment will follow in the Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the funeral home.