Vesta Ida Cook

Vesta Ida Bird Cook passed away on July 7, 2025 surrounded by family in Shelley, Idaho. She was born on March 14, 1934 in the Idaho Falls LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho, a cherished daughter of Angus Brady Bird and Ethel Josephine Coles. As a child, she grew up in Milo. As a teen, she was a graduate of Rigby High School, where she marched with the band as a saxophone player. She loved to attend the dances and hang out with all her cousins.  When not at home, she was always found on the back of a horse.

A hard-working farm girl and a rodeo queen, she caught the eye of Dale Richard Cook who took her to the Idaho Falls temple where they were sealed for eternity August 14, 1953. Together they were blessed with seven children; one of them who resides in heaven.

She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she served a mission as a senior sister missionary in the Salt Lake Family History Center in 2016. Prior, she also served 11 missions with her husband Dale where they had the opportunity to take their children across the ocean and help build a chapel in England (‘64), build the Samoan Temple (‘81), and serve in Fiji and Salt Lake (‘92). Other missions included serving as Tabernacle ushers in SLC, serving at church properties at Ensign Ranch and Cascade Park in Washington, serving in the Nauvoo Pageant, and serving in the temple and in the stake.

As a dedicated missionary of service, she invited and still invites all to “Go and Serve” your fellowman in any capacity.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who will be remembered for her giving spirit, endless kindness, and strong faith in missionary work and God. Her giving nature was a gift she offered family, friends, and her community. Her sparkling eyes and beautiful natural smile brightened the room and her attitude was always filled with “It'll work out”. She filled her home with quilts, knitted blankets, home cooked meals, yummy canned peaches and applesauce, and most of all love. She attended every baptism, blessing, and wedding that she could no matter how far. She was the ultimate giver of her TIME. In her last few years, she enjoyed traveling to visit her family and friends especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought her great joy. She never turned down a ride along the countryside or a good bowl of ice cream. She was an amazing woman and will forever be in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know her.

All will remember the constant sound of her sewing machine, as she leaves behind a legacy of thread and fabric, lovingly blessing her children and grandchildren with quilts, dish towels and table runners of every kind.

She is preceded in death by her parents Angus Brady Bird and Ethel Hosephine Coles, her husband Dale Richard Cook, her daughter Starla May Cook, her twin sister Velda Ellen Storer, her sister Karen Ethel Williams and her brother Cloyd Lynn Bird.

She is survived by her children Joy Ethel (Ben) Peterson of St. Anthony, ID, Keith Dale (Margo) Cook of Springville, UT, Gaye Deon (Shane) Loertscher of Ammon, ID, Janean Vada (Brent) Smith of Shelley, ID,  Arlene Ida (Kent) Blatter of Shelley, Id,  Roger Alan (Katie) Cook of Idaho Falls, Id, 38 grandchildren, 112 great grandchildren (4 on the way), and 2 great-great-grandchildren. (196 direct descendants in all).

Surviving siblings include her sister Jean Dion Bird Byington (spouse Paul Byington).

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025, 11:30 AM at the Ucon Stake Center (2967 E 105 N, Ucon, Idaho). A viewing will be held, Friday, July 11, from 6:30–8:00 PM and Saturday, July 12, 10:00 -11:15 AM also at the Ucon Stake Center.  Interment to follow at Ucon Cemetery