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Wilma Cool

May 10, 2021
Kalamazoo, MI

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Wilma R. Cool, 85, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away Monday, May 10, 2021 in her home surrounded by love. She was born July 11, 1935 in Webberville, MI to the late Charles and Louella (Ricketts) Larson.

Wilma spent her early years as a rural Michigan farm girl which formed the basis of a life filled with family, hard work and excellent cooking. In addition to raising her own children, her motherly love and guidance influenced the lives of many others who passed through her life.

A child of the depression, she learned to be an excellent seamstress, making everything from baby clothes to prom dresses. She designed and sewed beautiful wedding dresses for her four daughters and their attendants.

For many years she was manager of the Burdick Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo. She then spent a number of years working for Bel-Aire Heating and Air Conditioning, and most recently for Bailey Excavating and Grading. Each of those positions rewarded her with lifelong loving friendships.

She owned and operated Cool's Cake and Catering in Comstock for nearly 30 years. Countless delicious and beautiful cakes, cookies, candies and meals came out of her kitchen.

Wilma was a proud defender of American democracy and was a strong, lifelong advocate for women's rights.

Wilma cherished the many years she spent as a member and officer of the Comstock post of the Ladies Auxiliary. During those years she cooked and helped serve innumerable meals for residents of Fort Custer's VA hospital as well as the members of her local VFW.

She was a member and active congregant of the Lutheran Church of the Savior where she both loved and was greatly loved in return.

In recent years she knitted hundreds and hundreds of hats for the Salvation Army's Gospel Mission that helped to keep those in need warm.

Wilma is survived by her children, Christine (Miller) Moore (John), Jane (Miller) McLaughlin (Phil), Susan (Stuart) Graham (Richard), and Denise (Stuart) Loomis; 6 grandchildren, Katie, David, Traver, Amy, Jenny, and Beckie; 12 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews and loving friends. She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, George E. Cool, an infant child, Dean C. Stuart, her brothers Charles Larson, Wayne Larson, Larry Larson and loving sister in law Sharon Larson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Salvation Army, https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/Kalamazoo/, 1700 S. Burdick, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 or The Lutheran Church of the Savior memorial fund for World Hunger (see address below).

A private memorial service will be held at The Lutheran Church of the Savior - 3616 East G Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49004. On Saturday May 22nd, a visitation with refreshments will take place outside the church at 12-noon. All are welcome to attend the visitation at noon. Please dress for the weather.