Alyce J. Cooksey

Alyce Jean Cooksey better known as Ally or Cooks passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016 at Howard Young Medical Center at the age of 81. Ally was a well-known beloved teacher and resident in the Lakeland area.

Ally was born February 25, 1935 in Decorah, IA to Hubert and Laura (Bruette) Opsahl. She was one of five children, Helen, Joyce, Dick, and Shirley.

She married G. Curt Cooksey on August 19, 1956.

Ally double majored in English and Physical Education at Luther College of Decorah, Iowa. She taught at many schools in many towns over the years including, Canton, MN, Trempealeau, West Salem, Black River Falls, and Dodgeville. Finally, settling in Arbor Vitae in 1977 for the remainder of her life, her teaching career would span fifty years.

Cooksey retired from teaching after working at Lakeland Union High School for 15 years, in 1995 just months before the loss of her husband. She went back to the high school in 1996 as a substitute teacher until ending her teaching career in 2011.

Throughout her life, Ally was an involved member in the community. She sat on the Arbor-Vitae, Woodruff School Board for 6 years. She was a Youth Snowmobile club advisor for 10 years, part of the Cross Country Cruisers since 1977 where she sat as treasurer for four years. Ally was part of both a golf league and bowling league in the many towns she lived in. She was a president of the bowling league for many years. She was a Lioness and Eastern Star Member. Ally also directed many productions at the high school. She was a cheerleading coach and a tennis coach as well. She was an active member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Arbor Vitae until her husband’s passing.

Ally prided herself on being a loving wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, teacher and friend. Ally took each of these titles to heart along with the loving, generous and guiding actions that each entailed.

Ally loved sharing some of her favorite activities that she enjoyed much with her family and friends. Fishing, gardening, refinishing furniture, sewing, and her love of the casino. Her top three passions however, were spending time with her family, friends and her students.

Above all else, Ally would wish to be remembered for her generosity and her loving caring heart.

Ally is survived by her daughter Kari (Neal) Nelson of Waukesha and son Jon (Janeth) Cooksey of Minocqua, her four grandchildren Laura and Krista Nelson, Shelby (Kyle) Szott, and Lexi Cooksey. Ally also has two great grandchildren Hailey and Jake Szott. She is survived by her brother Dick (Joyce) Opshal and sister Helen Landru. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Joyce and Shirley and her husband.

The memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 26th at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Woodruff, WI with visitation will be from 3-6 pm with Memorial Service to follow at 6 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Lakeland Area Scholarship Foundation. Attn: Matt Koch/Ally Cooksey Scholarship. PO Box 1360, Minocqua, WI 54548.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com

Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.