Alice Cook

Alice Mae (Curtis) Cook passed away June 28th, 2013 of natural causes. She was surrounded by family and left us with a wave to join her loved ones waiting for her in Heaven. She was born Oct 16th, 1918 to Tom and Fern Curtis at their home on Baker Creek. Alice lived her entire 94 years in the Gallatin Valley. She loved to tell us stories about having to either walk or ride horses the mile through pastures to Baker Creek School. In 1937 she graduated from Belgrade High School and in the next year married her high school sweetheart George E. Cook. Their 73 years of marriage were spent farming and ranching along the West Gallatin River. Alice was sweet and kind beyond words. Her home was your home and she filled it with a grand love intermingled with wafting smells of delicious cooking and baking. She instilled in her children a love of family and a heritage of family traditions. Her motto being: Gather together often; be Thankful for our Blessings, and always Speak Kindness. She felt her greatest accomplishment in life was her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many good times were enjoyed with family and friends at their cabin behind the 320 Ranch in the Gallatin. Hunting, playing cards and picnicking along with trail rides to Ramshorn Lake to fish (George fished with a seine, the rest of us used worms!) More happy traditions she passed down to her family! Alice dearly loved shopping and each year elaborate plans were made for our school shopping adventures! She was also a master at sewing, crocheting and knitting-all skills she taught to all of her girls. She especially enjoyed George and Gary’s venture into the world of racehorses. Having their horses running at the state fairs was exciting, especially when one of them would occasionally win a race! Relaxation time from the ranch was a quick get away to Jackpot for poker and blackjack. Alice usually won and “Lucky George” usually lost what Alice won! Family always was paramount for George and Alice and many years were divided into their Grandkids sporting seasons. No game was too far to travel to and yes-they were their kids Biggest Fans!!! Alice was preceded in death by her parents Tom and Fern Curtis, Sister Helen Miller, Wallace (Scoop) Curtis, Wilbur (Buck) Curtis and Grandson George T. Place. She is survived by sons: Gene (Marlys) Cook, Gary (Joan) Cook, daughters Darlene (Vince) Guhin and Deanne Place all of Bozeman and Dan Place of Townsend. Her Grandchildren: Kristan Cook, Kody (Dave) Lyons, Kevin (Heather) Cook, Karl (Emily) Cook, J.C. (Karyn) Cook, Jeff (Sarah) Cook, Emily (Scott) Eaton, Amy (Michael) McAuliffe, Betsey (Phil) Hedrick, Merry (Seth) Halverson, Molly (Mike) Stenberg and Regen (Lynae) Place, along with 39 Great Grandchildren and numerous nieces and Nephews. A memorial service will be held 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Private family interment at Meadowview Cemetery. A reception to follow at the family farm.