Orland Robert Cook

Mr. Orland Robert Cook of Melita passed away at the Melita PCH on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at the age of 83.

He was predeceased by his wife, Isabel; parents, Ken & May

Orland is survived by his daughter, Debbie (Brad) Arnason (Brian, Zachary and Laura).

A service to celebrate Orland’s life was held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. from the Pierson Community Hall, Pierson, MB., with Reverend Rob Reed officiating. Interment followed the luncheon at the Lyleton cemetery.

Donations may be given to the Melita Personal Care Home Palliative Care Fund, Box 459 Melita, MB. R0M 1L0

Orland Robert Cook

Eulogy

It is with great sadness that we must say goodbye to Orland Cook. He was a father, a grandfather and a friend. Orland was born in Deloraine, Manitoba on August 31st, 1939, and was raised in Lyleton, Manitoba.

Orland grew up farming and raised many fine horses and ponies. He played baseball and curled, winning many trophies.

He started, and for many years, ran a painting business that took him throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Later in life he met Isabelle and helped raise her four teenage boys. In 1978 they had a daughter, Debbie, and that saw their family completed. Orland bonded with Debbie through their mutual love of horses. Together they went to many horse shows for most of her early years.

Orland enjoyed going to the Auction Marts, taking in hockey games, helping friends and neighbors, and of course, going for coffee. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and neighbors, as well as telling very bad jokes, and pulling occasional pranks on the unsuspecting.

He was frugal, reserved and stoic, except when it came to his grandkids. He considered branching out into dairy farming when he discovered how much milk they went through.

A little before he lost Isabelle, Orland was diagnosed with bowel cancer and faced the challenge head-on. After all that he faced he tried not to let it slow him down, but soon found that Alzheimer’s was starting to affect him. Despite all that he was going through, he tried not to miss out on going for coffee, as he was afraid of missing out on the community gossip.

Sadly, he was not able to continue on his own, and moved into the care home where he kept the nurses entertained with stories of his ponies and with even more bad jokes. Orland’s cancer resurfaced and his dementia progressively got worse, but the things he never seemed to forget were his finances, his ponies and what he called his coon dog.

All those who touched his life and brought him great joy will miss his stories and his willingness to cheat at cards. He will be missed by all and our community is saddened by his loss.

We miss you dad, grandfather and friend.

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