Ilene Cooklin

Funeral services for Ilene Cooklin, 92, long-time resident of Jefferson, were held 10:30am Saturday, March 9, 2024 at First Baptist Church, Jefferson. Rev. Daniel Cunningham presided. A luncheon and visitation with the family followed the service. Interment was in Lanesboro Cemetery, Lanesboro, IA.

Honorary Bearers were Nickola Montes, Kashia Cooklin, Marty McDonald, Dustin McDonald, Tisha Gannon, Marci Bushman, Sara Mallicoat, Chayse Hudson, Brianna Culbertson and Roger Carlson. Casket Bearers were Davy Cooklin, Stephanie Wedeking, Ryan Cooklin, Cassandra Bednarik, Shelby Cooklin, and Hannah Cooklin.

Ilene Elma Dillavou was born March 27, 1931, the oldest child and only daughter of Eva Marie Piper Dillavou and Lloyd Dillavou. The family lived and farmed in the Greene and Carroll County area, where Ilene helped raise her three brothers: Darwin, Glen, and Russell. Ilene graduated from Glidden High School in 1948. Ilene was united in marriage to Ralph Cooklin on April 8, 1951 at the Friends Church, Kendrick Township, near Scranton, Iowa. To this union, three children were born: Randy in 1952, Gayla in 1954, and Kevin in 1956. The family made their home in Scranton where Ralph farmed Ilene’s grandfather’s ground. In 1973, they bought a farm with a home and moved between Jefferson and Grand Junction. Ilene and Ralph hosted a German exchange student during their son Randy’s senior year of high school in 1969-1970. Ilene was a homemaker and gardener, raising vegetables, strawberries, and flowers. She actively sold Avon products throughout the community. At the time of semi-retirement, Ilene and Ralph moved to Modena, MO, where they became members of the Modena Baptist Church. After 20 years in Missouri, Ilene and Ralph moved back to Jefferson in 2001. Upon their return, they joined First Baptist Church in Jefferson, where Ilene was very involved in many areas of the church.

Ilene Cooklin died March 5, 2024 at the age of 92 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Ralph, who died in 2015; one brother, Darwin; and two great-grandchildren: Cody Cooklin and Harley McDonald. Ilene is survived by three children: Randy (Debra) Cooklin of Jefferson, IA; Gayla (Jeff) Hudson of Vail, IA; and Kevin (Bonnie) Cooklin of Grand Junction, IA; brothers: Glen (Carolyn) Dillavou of Boone, IA and Russell Dillavou of Panama City, FL; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends. Service by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson.