Douglas Brent Cooke

Doug Cooke: 1953 - 2023 Douglas Brent Cooke of Swan River, MB passed away in the Swan Valley Health Centre on November 6, 2023, at the age of 70. Doug was born in Benito, MB on March 18, 1953, to Stan & Mabel Cooke. After graduating high school, he began working at the Swan Valley Co-op. During those years he met and married Sandra Regier on June 10, 1978. The next ten years were filled with horses, building a new house and homesite, the births of their three children, and starting a new career as an insurance broker.   Some of Doug’s favourite things were sports, horses, and the outdoors. He enjoyed playing hockey, trail rides, quadding, snowmobiling, and skiing. He liked going on road trips and exploring new places.  Family was one of the most important things in life to Doug. As his kids grew up, he supported and encouraged their hobbies and interests, always being a part of what they were involved in.  Doug’s satisfaction of being a dad could only be rivalled by his joy of being a Papa. There was nothing more important to him when the grandkids were around than spending quality time together and making sure they were having fun.  As a successful businessman for over 40 years at Cook & Cooke Insurance Brokers, Doug valued being involved in the local community. He treated his staff like family and many clients became friends.   Throughout his life, Doug’s relationship with God was his anchor. From that strength he was always willing to listen and pray with anyone who came to him. He had a way of giving the right advice, scripture, Christian book, or teaching that would be a great encouragement.      When Sandra went to heaven on April 13, 2017, Doug was left to find a new beginning for his life. He met Claudine in the spring of 2022, and they were married at Silent E Ranch on October 7, later that year. Their life together was a short and special chapter that brought a lot of joy and peace to him and the whole family.   He was predeceased by his late wife, Sandra Cooke, his father, Stanley Cooke, and will be lovingly remembered by his wife Claudine Cooke; children, Ryan Cooke (Falon), Chris Cooke (Nicolette), and Mandy Olson (Jordan); mother, Mabel Cooke; sister, Brenda Dyck (Gordon); grandchildren, Kaela, Sam, Moriah, Ben, Maelle, Olivia, and Victoria; mother-in-law, Doris Regier; sister-in-law Janice Gerhardt (Mike), brother-in-laws Larry Regier (Laurie), and Dale Regier (Patti); many nieces, nephews, and extended family; stepchildren, Cory Sparkes, Lisa Solski (Raymond); step grandchildren, Madison, Canyon, the late Rylan Solski, Carter, Morgan, and Emery. 

A service to honour Doug’s beautiful and purposeful life was held on Friday, November 10th, 2023 at 2:00 PM from the Temple Baptist Church, Swan River, MB with Pastor Cam Hart officiating. Doug was laid to rest in the Birchwood Cemetery, Swan River, MB following the funeral service.