Elaine Ethel (Buschmann) Cooksley

Elaine Ethel Cooksley, 93, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester, Iowa.  She was born on September 5, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Andrew and Mable (Rodonis) Buschmann.  Elaine was raised and educated in the area and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1948. She was a key punch operator until her marriage.

On April 24, 1954, Elaine was united in marriage to Gilbert Cooksley of Earlville. They made their home on the family farm for 40 years. To this union five children were born. Elaine and Gilbert were later divorced. She was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed baking, cooking and growing flowers.  Her heart was overfilled with love for her grandchildren, Chicago Cubs and Dachshund dogs.

Those left to honor her memory include her five children, Janet Duneman of Dyersville, Wayne Cooksley of Manchester, Ray (Terri) Cooksley of Manchester, Larry (Mary) Cooksley of Johnston and Mary (Daniel) Tekippe of Manchester; ten grandchildren, Kristen Cruz, Tim Cooksley, Jodi (Eric) Hand, Libby (Tim) Kleppe, Sam  Duneman, Joe (Bobbi Jo) Duneman, Michael (Nikki) Tekippe, Jessica (Andy) Schmitt, Matt Tekippe and Cirra Cooksley; 12 great-grandchildren; and her two siblings, Leatrice Smedberg of Chicago, Illinois and Andrew Buschmann of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mable Buschmann; her in-laws, Laura and Albert Cooksley; grandson-in-law, Ray Couz; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John Smedberg, Joan Buschmann, Alberta (Harold) Reth, and Donald (Marjorie) Cooksley; and a nephew, Johnny Smedberg.

Remembering happy times from the past is one of the best ways to make yourself happy in the present.

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