Michael ‘Mike’ Edward Cook, 72, passed away Sunday, July 7th, 2024. He was born Dec. 17th, 1951 to Edward R. Cook and Catherine Hafenstine Cook in Great Bend.
In the summer of 1980, Mike met the “love of his life”, Sharla Siemers. They married April lO, 1981.
Their son, Chasen, was born a year and a half later, joining Mike’s other sons from his first marriage. Their union spanned 43 years. Over this time period, Mike’s family grew to include his sons, daughters-in-law, and their children. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Mike grew up in Great Bend, graduating from Great Bend High School in 1969, making many close friendships. Mike worked at various jobs, including Dove Buick, and Elliott Pontiac in Great Bend. He worked as a CNC Lathe Operator at Great Bend Industries, and as a Production Supervisor at Semco, Inc. in Great Bend. In 1994, he and his family moved to Salina, beginning employment with Exline, Inc. In 1997, Mike took a transfer with Exline, Inc. to work at Southwest Manufacturing, Inc. in Wichita. The family lived in Valley Center, then moved to Wichita in 2014. He worked various management positions in Wichita, retiring in March 2020. After retirement he delivered new vehicles for dealerships around Wichita.
Mike had a love for cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed classic car and restored a 1967 Buick Gran Sport. He also enjoyed watching car races. He was a pretty impressive mechanic himself, restoring a variety of vehicles he owned during his lifetime. As a teen, his father introduced him to motorcycles, finally realizing his dream of owning his first Harley Davidson, a Silver and Blue HD Ultra Limited. He passed his love of “wheels” on to his sons and grandchildren.
Throughout the years, Mike formed many friendships from in Great Bend to the friendships made at every workplace along the way. Mike had a wonderful sense of humor on social media.
Mike’s love for music, movies, and DIY projects throughout the years was shared with his wife, Sharla. They attended dozens of rock concerts, action-adventure movies, and worked on home projects. They enjoyed these and many other interests together.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Catherine Cook; and his step-mother, Jackie Cook. Michael is survived by his wife, Sharla Cook; children, William “Bill” (Tina} Cook, Chasen (Ashlee} Cook; grandchildren, Taylor, Aubrey, Blake (Parker, Colo.), Willow, Adalyn, Emilee, Collin (Gardner); siblings, Susan Sanders, Hays, Kan., Cheri Eastridge-Martinez, and Pete Gross, Bazine, Kan.
Visitation: Thursday, July 25th, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Smith Family Mortuary, Derby 1415 North Rock Road Derby, Kansas 67037. Memorial Service: Friday, July 26th, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Smith Family Mortuary, Derby 1415 North Rock Road Derby, Kansas 67037. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Wichita Toy Run Association or The Kansas
Humane Society.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 26, 2024
