Miriam Lois (Sielken) Cook

Miriam Lois (Sielken) Cook, 81, of Angola, IN, was welcomed to her eternal Home into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. She was born to the late Rev. Marvin F. and Verna M. (Papenfus) Sielken on July 25, 1942, in Toledo, OH. Miriam graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1960. She was also a beauty school graduate. She married her best friend and the love of her life the late Jack Dale Cook on December 9, 1961, in Hillsdale, MI. As a teenager, Miriam was a "Candy Striper" in the hospital where she found great joy in helping others. She later worked in banking, bookkeeping, & sales. She volunteered at numerous places, Cameron Hospital was her most recent. She also served others by taking care of the elderly and those who were less fortunate. She was known as a gracious counselor, sharing her love, insight and wisdom with anyone suffering from life's woes. Music was Miriam's passion and she was an exceptional organist for over 60 years. She brought music to life for those she played for, and people would comment that they couldn't believe how someone so small could play so powerfully. She most recently was the organist at Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont. Miriam was very active at church, involved in many activities and served passionately as a Stephen Minister. Miriam built a legacy of loving and serving God, loving and serving others her entire life. She taught this servant leadership through leading by example. Miriam demonstrated God's love by caring for others in her gentle and humble spirit and was always helping those in need. Miriam was the most generous giver. She gave, and she gave, and she gave some more. Even when she was sick, she was always praying for others, putting their needs before her own. She always counted her blessings and focused on the good. She was a loving wife, devoted mother and caring grandmother. She was fun to be around and whenever you spent time with her, you left feeling better about yourself, those around you and life in general.

Miriam is survived by her daughters, Michelle (Daryl) Berndt and Jodie (Joe) Burelison both of Angola, grandchildren, Austin Young, Jeremy (Shelby) Young, Megan (Owen) Shoup, Brandon (Laura) Burelison and Dylan (Dakota) Burelison, great- grandchildren, Jack Young (namesake of Miriam's late husband), Liam, Jase, & Evan Burelison, Delaney, Archer, and Maddyn Burelison; and sister, Karen Weesner of Colorado Springs. Miriam is also survived by other son's and daughter's that she chose to call her own, you know who you are. Along with her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Ruthann Sielken

We will be celebrating her life here on earth on the day of what would have been Miriam and Jack's 62nd wedding anniversary on December 9th, 2023 at Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, with Rev. Jeffrey S. Teeple officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00am-1:00pm with the funeral to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cameron Hospital Foundation or Peace Lutheran Church.

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