Richard (Rick) Kevin Cook, age 58, suddenly passed away at home, Sunday October 12, 2025, his loving wife of 33 years, Sandy, was with him.

Rick lived a life filled with tremendous passion, love, and service toward others. Born July 19,1967, in Fargo, North Dakota to Nicholas and Linda Cook.

Rick graduated United Township High School in 1985, then moving on to college at Northern University of Illinois for four years, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Marketing. All while working at the Quad Cities Downs horse racetrack.

Rick met the love of his life, Sandy, in the summer of 1990. They married June 6, 1992. Rick, Sandy, and their two sons, John and Josh, moved to Rosemount, Minnesota in 1993. At the time, he was working for BFI Waste Company. He moved on to Aspen Waste Systems, in Minneapolis, where he worked for seventeen years. Rick's final job was working for ReConserve, in Hastings, where he has been working for the past eleven years. All while also working with Primerica Financial Services since 1992.

Rick's life was devoted to his loving wife, Sandy. Rick enjoyed golfing, movie nights with his queen, and all of the Minnesota sports teams. He enjoyed spending time with close friends and family, as well as mowing the lawn on his riding lawnmower, a birthday gift from Sandy for his fiftieth birthday.

Rick was proceeded in death by his father, Nicholas Cook; his mother-in-law, Marlene Launins; grandparents, Erna and Avid Gustafson, and Ike and Emma Cook.

Waiting for him at the Gates of Heaven, was Dewey Czupka, where they are now playing their 151st round of golf on the most beautiful course Rick could have ever imagined.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, Sandra Kratzer Cook; mother, Linda Czupka; sisters, Michelle Caldwell (Kevin Baine) and Nikki (Randy) Moen; sons, John Bloom and Josh Cook; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

And more friends than you can count. Rick was also survived by three people who held a special place in his heart, Azra Begum, Mike Waugaman, and Whitney Egelston.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM at White Funeral Home, 14560 Pennock  Avenue, Apple Valley, MN, with a Visitation from 2:00-3:00 PM at the funeral home.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Illinois, date and time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Thrive at thrivefrr.org