Winnifred “Cookee” D. Shawver, 94, of Morrison, IL, died on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Allure Nursing Home of Mt. Carroll, IL.
Cookee was born March 30, 1929, in Iowa City, IA, to Ruth Neelans. She was educated in the Morrison Grade Schools, with the accolade of having read all of the school library books by the end of the sixth grade. Cookee graduated from Morrison High School. Her 71 year marriage to Alvin “Al” Shawver started on March 12, 1948, in Morrison. Al died on March 17, 2019. Cookee dedicated her life to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Cookee and Al cultivated an active social life that enriched their many friendships in Morrison and Punta Gorda, FL.
Cookee was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Morrison. Her many hobbies included golfing as a member of Morrison Country Club, playing tennis, and bridge. She was a member of Morrison Music Theater Association, with leading roles in three community plays and as Director of one. She particularly enjoyed Drama Club and gave speeches at Toastmistress.
Survivors include her daughters, Robin Vande Zande of Kent, OH, and Darcy (John) Houseman of Morrison; five grandchildren, Scott (Jamie) Houseman, Leigh (Mitch) Milnes, Lauren (Jeff) Warnock, Evan Deady, and David Vande Zande; eight great-grandchildren; her sister, Jane Onken of Morrison; brothers, Robert (Jo) Onken of Blue Grass, IA, Larry (Vernie) Onken of Thomson, IL, and John (Suzie) Onken of Hudson, WI.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Onken; step-father, Raymond Onken; husband, Al; great-grandson, Kevin Houseman; grandson-in-law, Ryan Deady.
There will be no Visitation or Funeral Service at this time; cremation rites have been accorded. The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established for Odell Public Library, in Morrison, IL, in Cookee and Al Shawver’s names.