Mel graduated from Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1954, and furthered his education, attending the University of Nebraska. He served his country in the United States Air Force, from 1955, until 1959. Mel worked for the United States Postal Service in Omaha, from 1960, until he retired in 1992. He was united in marriage to Glenda Franker on September 21, 1991, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Mel was a member of the Postal Union and Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he served as an elder and an usher. He enjoyed spending his spare time fishing and golfing. Mel’s true passion was airplanes.

Mel is survived by his wife, Glenda Cook of Arnolds Park; two sons, David Cook, and his wife, Debra, of Glenwood, and Robert Cook of Omaha; six grandchildren, James, Jared, Hannah, Kyra, Kevin and Daniel; three step-children, Julie Krengel, and her husband, Troy, of Ankeny, Jay Chapman, and his wife, Angela, of Milford, and Jody Chapman of Ankeny; six step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Mel’s Life will be held at 11:00A.M. Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. A memorial visitation will be held Monday, from 5:00P.M. until 7:00P.M. at the Schuchert Funeral Home. Burial will be at Northlawn Cemetery in Spencer, at a later date.