Ann Jane Cook, age 97 of Edwardsville, IL, formerly of Collinsville, IL, born May 11, 1922 in Collinsville, IL, passed away Saturday, November 23, 2019 at her residence surrounded by her family.

Ann was a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville. She was a member of the Collinsville American Legion Post 365 Auxiliary and a charter member of the VFW Post 5691 Auxiliary. She was a former girl scout leader and den mother. She worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" for McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft during World War II.  Ann helped build airplanes and took great pride in supporting and replacing the male workers who were fighting in the war.  Ann was very intelligent and a life-long learner. She enjoyed watching Jeopardy, and excelled in History and Geography questions. At 97-1/2 she could name every state capitol and recite the entire Gettysburg Address by memory,  She and her husband, Mervil, traveled the world after he retired. She was active in her children's lives and welcomed all their friends into her home; and she enjoyed being with her grandchildren, and was so proud of all of them.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ferdinand and Anna (nee Kolm) Boeser; her husband, Mervil Jackson Cook, whom she married on August 30, 1941; 6 brothers: August "Gus", Leonard "Teddy", Frank, Bill, Emil, and Patrick Boeser; and 3 sisters: Florence Schiber, Beatrice Freitag, and Bertha Harber.

She is survived by a son, Michael (Jan Surbey) Cook of Morro Bay, CA; 3 daughters: Pamela and Patricia Cook of Edwardsville, IL and Mary Kay (Steven) Vick of Alhambra, IL; 6 grandchildren: Julie Cook, Todd (Debi) Cook, Jennifer (Preston) Royer, Randy Shinn, Adam Vick, Stephanie (Alex) Pruett; 6 great grandchildren: Ricky, Maria, and Kayla Coca, Meghan and Mallie Royer, and Holly Bollman; 2 great-great grandchildren: Conrad and Winston Reifschneider; and numerous nieces and nephews.

According to her wishes, Ann's body was donated to St. Louis University School of Medicine.

A memorial visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, immediately followed by a memorial service at Noon at the funeral home with Father John Beveridge officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church or Metro East Humane Society.