Laurene M. Cook

Laurene passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at the Bay Medical Care Facility at the age of 97 years. The youngest of four children, she was born on January 29, 1921 to the late Franz and Marta (Honold) Sorgatz in Bay City. Faithful wife of James and dedicated mother to Brian and Betsy, Laurie valued family time and gatherings. Laurie and James were married in 1946 in New York, New York. After over 50 years of marriage James passed away on March 12, 2000. Laurie was a long time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bay City and was a care giver for the elderly in Bay City for many years. In her free time she enjoyed word puzzles, mall walking, watching game shows and soap operas. Laurie was also an amazing seamstress.
Laurie was proud of her service to her country in WWII. On August 13, 1943, at the age of 22, she left her home in Bay City and her office job at Oppenheims and enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training - physical conditioning included calisthenics, marching and long hikes carrying a rucksack - and initial assignment in Ft. Dix, NJ, she departed for the South Pacific on Nov 18, 1944. She served as administrative assistant to Major Hanna in Manila, Philippines, where one of her duties was reproducing Restricted, Confidential, Secret and Top Secret material. WACs stationed in the South Pacific had a highly restricted life style. Headquarters directed that WACs be secured within barbed-wire compounds at all times, except when escorted by armed guards to work. No leaves or passes were allowed. Fortunately, Sergeant James Cook, Military Police, was assigned to guard the corp and to escort her to and from the barracks! After honorable discharge on November 29, 1945 she was awarded the following:
WAAC Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 2 Overseas Service Bars, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with Bronze Star, American Campaign Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze star.
Surviving are her children, Brian (Pamela) Cook and Betsy Cook through the blessing of adoption; grandchildren, Christopher (Claire) Cook, Emily (Don) Somerdyke, Holly and Weston Cook, Xavier and Alejandro Cervantes; great grandchildren, Natalie, Dominic, Rhys, Jacob and Jesse Cook, Peter and Quinn Somerdyke; nieces and nephews, Sally Kluck, Nancy Wintermeyer, James (Marian) Sorgatz, Betsy (James) Townsend, Joan MacDonald, Jon Wiley and Kathie Driscoll. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Frank Sorgatz; sisters, Vera Wiley and Martha McMullen and sisters-in-law Mary Gutoski and Janet Barba; and nephew Tom McMullen.
Memorial service will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 with Rev. Kevin C. Jones officiating. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the Bay County Veterans Council. Private inurnment will take place at Floral Gardens Cemetery at a later date. Friends may visit with the family at the Gephart Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial contribution to Immanuel Lutheran Church. For online condolences www.GephartFuneralHome.com
Laurie's family would like to give special thanks to the Bay County Medical Care Facility staff for their loving and compassionate care. Thanks also to her caregiver Pauline, and to Golden Horizons adult day care for providing a fun environment and meaningful interaction!