Karla J. Cook

Karla J. Cook, 66, died at Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on March 19, 2014. Visitation will be held from 2 pm to 4 pm, with prayers following at 4 pm, on Sunday, March 23, at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, corner of Church and Ship Streets, St. Joseph, MI at 11:30 am on Monday, March 24. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at Berrien Hills Golf Club. Thoughts may be shared with the family online at www.starks-menchinger.com.  For anyone wishing to make a memorial, two suggestions are Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School or Lakeland’s Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Karla, born August 15, 1947, was the daughter of the late Karl and Hazel Hake, and the loving sister of Marsha (William) Neal, and Richard (Karla) Hake. Karla was the dearly-beloved wife of Michael Cook; the devoted mother of Kevin, Patrick (fiancee Katie), and John (Candice) Cook; and grandmother to Chloe Cook.  Karla’s husband said, “Karla was the most wonderful person—so virtuous and good, so smart, such fun to be with, so kind and nice, totally loyal, and totally loving.  She had a great capacity to love, and it very positively affected her vocation, her friends, and her family.” Karla taught English at Lake Michigan Catholic High School, and was the former Chair of its English Department.  She held a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in Administration, and served for many years as the Principal of Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School.  Karla had such a positive influence on the lives of so many students.  In 1997 she was named by the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools as one of the top three educators in the State. She was a past president of Women’s Service League and Twin City Alumnae Panhellenic. Karla was blessed with dear friends who are among the many who mourn her death.