Wylma Rose Cook

Wylma Rose Cook (Riehle)

February 12, 1940 – March 22, 2024

WATERLOO - Wylma Rose Cook (Riehle), 84, of Waterloo, IA, died at St. Luke's Hospital on Friday, March 22, 2024.

She was born February 12, 1940, in Spillville IA to William John Riehle and Anne Rose Mixdorf (Bina). She went to St. Wenceslaus Middle School Spillville, IA and Sacred Heart High School Waterloo, IA. Wylma worked as a live-in nanny and then cashiering at Piggly Wiggly. Married Russel K. Bertch on August 8, 1960, and had four children. As she was raising her family, she spent several years working at John Deere Tractor Works. On March 2, 1974, she married Ray E. Cook and had three more children. And of course, spent many countless hours watching the grandchildren she loved very much.

Wylma enjoyed listening to old time country music, watching mystery shows, and making the best kolaches and koblahe anywhere. She was so very generous to her family and friends, helping whenever she could. Wylma will be missed by everyone who interacted with her.

Wylma is survived by her children: Kathy Anderson (Paul) of New Prague, MN, Russel D. Bertch of Cedar Falls, IA, Tracy Bertch (Denise) of Waterloo, IA, Tammy Bertch of Waterloo, IA, Heather Cook of Oelwein, IA, Misty Cook of Cedar Rapids, IA, Jeremia Cook of Waterloo, IA. Her siblings: Terri Wainwright, Mary O'Brien, Julie Carpenter. And the many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that were the biggest joy of her life.

Wylma was preceded in death by her husband, Ray E. Cook; father, William John Riehle; mother, Anne Rose Mixdorf; siblings: William John Riehle, Anne Hoffman, Rosemary Bader; and granddaughters: Nikki Coons (Bertch), Elizabeth Collins, Lyric Cook-Morrissey.

There will be a private family Celebration of Life at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations to National Center for Missing & Exploited Children would be appreciated at www.missingkids.org.