Vickie Lee Cook, age 71, passed away at Community Hospital in McCook, NE on October 23, 2026.

Vickie was born on March 10, 1955, to parents Bob L. and Neva I. (Cochran) Province in Oberlin, KS. Vickie graduated from McCook High School in 1973.

Vickie married the love of her life, Merlin A. Cook, on January 5, 1979, in Tucumcari, NM. To this union a son and a daughter were born. They eventually made their home in Bartley. They spent 29 years together until Merlin’s passing in 2008.

Vickie was a cook for the school and several nursing homes in the area where she served delicious meals. In her free time, Vickie could be found enjoying her arts and craft and cooking for others. She loved to go hunting with her family and watch wildlife.

Those left to celebrate her life are her daughter Cristy (Joshua) Laya of Sacramento, CA; daughter-in-law, Jenny Doescher of Beemer, NE; brother, Rick (Paris) Province of McCook, NE; and grandson, Emmett Laya. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents Bob and Neva, husband Merlin Cook, son Wayne Cook, and sister Brenda Smith.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to the McCook Humane Society, PO Box 13, McCook, Ne 69001.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, McCook, NE, with Pastor Clark Bates as officiant.

Inurnment will follow the service at Oberlin Cemetery in Oberlin, KS.