Lillian M. Cook was born July 8, 1911, at Wagner, South Dakota, to Greenville "G.V" and Catherine (Ohmer) Cook. Her parents farmed near Wagner in Charles Mix County until 1919 when they moved to a ranch six miles east of Cottonwood. Lillian attended school at Recluse Rural School, graduating from Cottonwood High School in 1929.

After high school, she attended Notre Dame Junior College, at Mitchell, S.D. Her teaching career began in 1930 in the Callahan School, a small rural school near the community of Ash Creek. She embarked upon her career as an educator with the enthusiasm she continued to demonstrate the rest of her life.

After attending six-week summer school sessions, many of them at Black Hills State College, she earned her state teaching certificate in 1941.

During her life she shared her love of education with students in a variety of rural schools. Those included Big Buffalo, Hiway School and West Grandview. She also taught at the Cottonwood and Quinn schools.

In the fall of 1947 Lillian returned to Black Hills State College where she received her degree in education in 1948. Following graduation, she taught at Interior High School for two years. She joined the teaching staff at the Kadoka High School in 1951 as an English teacher and librarian. Her 43 years as a school teacher ended with her retirement in 1976. The hundreds of students, whose lives she touched, continue to remember her "as strict, but the best teacher they ever had."

She continued to make her home with her brother, Granville, helping him operate their ranch until they moved into Philip in 1998.

Lillian was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She served as a lector, taught confirmation classes and was a member of the Sacred Heart Evening Guild.

Grateful for having shared her life are her sisters, Elizabeth Sargent, Pueblo, Colorado; Josephine Brown, Auburn, California, and Anne Scofield, Pleasant Hill, California; several devoted nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; scores of students, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Theresa McRee, and a brother, Ohmer.

Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, all at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Mass of Christian Burial for Lillian M. Cook, age 90, of Philip, was held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 8, 2002 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with Father Tony Grossenburg as celebrant.

Interment was in the Cottonwood Cemetery.

A memorial is established.