This past week we lost a very special lady, Marilyn Cook. Marilyn was a long-time member of the West Branch community. When it came up in conversation, she lit up like a Christmas tree. She was very proud of her community and was always willing to help anyone from her town in anyway she could.

Marilyn was a family person and was blessed to have three sons: Mike, Mark, and Marv. As a single mom she raised all three boys to be goal-oriented, caring, and disciplined young men. All three were student-athletes in the West Branch School District. All three were very good athletes but even better people, something she was very proud of. She adored all members of her family and cherished her time with them. Her grandchildren were the apple of her eye.

Marilyn also was an outstanding nurse for many years. In her professional career, as well as outside of it, she was devoted to helping others during tough and special times. She was always on top of things in a professional but caring manner. Marilyn was so respected by her peers that when she said something, all ears were open and what she suggested was done at once.

From the athletic front, Marilyn was a super fan for the Bears. She attended many co-curricular events as a mother, grandmother, and as a fan. She was a positive, supportive person who would cheer for the Bears but never put down the opponent.

She would wear the team's colors with pride. She supported: The West Branch Bears red and white, the Regina Regals blue and gold, the Iowa Hawkeyes black and gold, the Wartburg Knights black and orange, the West High Trojans green and gold, the Lone Tree Lions black and yellow, the Kirkwood Eagles blue and white, the West Liberty Comets blue and white, and the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees blue and white.

Marilyn was also an Elvis Presley fan. The Herbert Hoover Library had an exhibit and my wife, Jenny, donated several pieces to Marilyn at the conclusion of the exhibit. Marilyn was overjoyed to add them to her collection, one in which she took a great deal of pride in.

As expected when one gets older, your health starts to decline. Marilyn knew her time on Earth was coming to a close. She faced her final days with courage and determination. You see, Marilyn taught life lessons to her family that we can all learn from. We need to all care for one another and show signs of love at all times to each other.

Marilyn has left wonderful memories for us to remember her by. She will once again be at the Little Rose Bowl this fall as on all of our helmets, an "MC" sticker will be placed in honor of her life. Her legacy will never leave our football program or the community.

-- Coach Pedersen