SPARTA - Sally A. Cook, 87, of Sparta passed away Saturday, September 12, 2026, at her home, surrounded by family.
She was born in Wisconsin Rapids to Leonard and Jeanette (Loonstra) Romanski and grew up on the family farm with her five sisters, where she valued the hard work and responsibility of caring for the land and animals. As a 4-H member, she raised and showed beef cattle at the county fair for many years. She graduated from Assumption High School in 1957.
Sally went on to attend Central State College, now UW-Stevens Point. She worked in the office at the Wood County ASCS (Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service), and then in the Purchasing Department at Consolidated Papers, Inc. In those early years after high school, she loved spending time with her young nieces and nephews and traveling with her parents and younger sister, Susan.
Sally married Jack Cook on June 4, 1966, and the couple moved to Sparta, where she worked in the office at Sparta Senior High School until starting a family.
Sally was a lifelong equine enthusiast and animal lover. She loved horseback riding, which she continued well into her 80s. She also enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking, gardening, reading, writing letters, and traveling. Most of all, she cherished time with her grandchildren, who lovingly nicknamed her “Horsey Grandma” and “Grandma Sal.” Together they baked cookies, went for walks, played cowboys and board games, and rode horses.
Home and family were everything to Sally. She dedicated her life to raising her four sons as a stay-at-home mother, and lived by the phrase, “Do what you love, and love what you do.” In addition to her human family, she gave “forever homes” to many dogs, cats, and horses.
Sally is survived by her children, Corey (Sarah), Kit (Sara), Chad (Jen), and Cody (Tracie); grandchildren Ryan, Carson, Erin, Ethan (Kelsi), Aiden, Quinn, Ellery, Bennett, and Reece; sister Marjorie Hamm; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack, in 2017; her sisters, Jane (Charles) Huser, Betty (Robert) Peplinski, Mary (Sylvester) Prunty, Susan (Norman) Flynn; and brother-in-law Robert Hamm.
The Cook family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Agrace Hospice — especially Matt and Dani — and Quality Comfort Care — especially Marcia and Ashlee — for their amazing compassion and support these last few months in keeping Sally comfortable. Special thanks to Howard and Sharon Sanborn, whose friendship and support has meant so much through the years.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Eric Berns officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered to ASAP Cat Shelter (Sparta), Sandi Paws Rescue (Fond du Lac), St. Patrick’s School (Sparta), or SACS (Sparta Area Cancer Support).
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
