Wanda "Jody" Kooken

Wanda Jocile "Jody" Kooken, age 91, passed away peacefully with her family by her side in the early morning hours of Mother's Day, May 8, 2022. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend; her vibrant spirit and tenacity for life was truly one of a kind and she will be greatly missed. She leaves behind engrained footprints in the hearts of her children and grandchildren, whom she cherished and adored. Her legacy will live on through them.
Jody was born on October 14, 1930 in Ripley, Oklahoma to Nora Edna and Porter Mason Howerton. She was one of ten children and was the sole survivor and final member of her family to pass. She graduated from Ripley High School in 1948. She married Paul Mark Kooken from Kingfisher, Oklahoma in 1955. The couple settled in Oklahoma City where they created a home and raised their family. Five children, to which she is survived, include Debra J. Goss (Gregg) of Glencoe, OK, Paula Simon, Mark Kooken Jr., Michael Kooken, and Kevin Kooken, all of Oklahoma City; grandchildren, R.K. Simon (Mindy), Blake E. Simon of Oklahoma City, Alexandra R. Simon-Looper (Andrew) of Edmond, and Lissa Hudson of Lawrence, KS; great-grandchildren, Rawley and Myer Simon, Hux and Harlie Looper, Drew and Gage Brown; and brother-in-law, Ralph Kooken and wife Carol of Kingfisher, OK.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 45 years, and her siblings, including sisters, Lorene Gianfilippo, Elorene Flanigan, Elouise Sims, Reba Going, Betty Lou Crosthwaite, and Annie Yeoman; and brothers, Bob, Norman, and Kenny Howerton.
Jody was not someone to sit on the sidelines ever. She truly lived life to the fullest. She and her husband Mark were avid supporters of Oklahoma State University, OSU Athletics and were active members of The President's Club for decades, traveling anywhere and everywhere to watch them play. She loved "her Cowboys" and rarely missed a game. She had exceptional culinary skills and was known for her generous hospitality and delicious recipes. From Aunt Bill's Fudge and angel food cake to egg rolls and fried chicken, everything was made from scratch, of course. Her energy and strength were something to be admired and it's because of her devotion to living healthy and staying physically active that she lived the extraordinary life that she did.
Memorial Service will be held on Monday, May 16at 12PM at Mercer-Adams Funeral Home in Bethany, Oklahoma.
The service will be live streamed and may be viewed on this obituary page.