Joni Cook, 52 passed away Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri with her family by her side. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com . The Rosary will be prayed at 4pm with visitation following until 6pm on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10am on Monday, January 7, 2019 also at the Church. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to KC Hospice House or to Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Joni was born July 16, 1966 to Howard Cook and Dorothy Hake Cook; the youngest of five sisters and one brother. She attended St. Mary's and Montrose R-14. She commuted between Montrose and CMU and graduated in three years with a BS in education. Joni taught at Montrose, Davis, Leesville, Calhoun and Lakeland. In 2014 Joni was named Rural Missouri Teacher of the year. In 1990 and 1991 she took time away from teaching to be a nanny for her niece Megan, creating a very deep bond. Joni had a love for life and heart as big as the whole outdoors. She was a daughter, sister, aunt, friend and teacher.

Joni was preceded in death by her father, Howard, grandparents, Clem and Anne Cook, Joe and Fern Hake.

Joni is survived by her mother, Dorothy of Clinton, brother, Dennis Cook, sisters, Sandra Cook, Brenda Cook, Sue Ellen Cook and Beverly (Bob) Dennis, all of Clinton, nieces, Megan Cook and Jamie Kramer and family, nephew, Bobby Dennis and family and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.