Earl Sanford Cooksey, of Seward, was born Dec. 8, 1939, to Harold and Martha (Leach) Cooksey in Rawlins, Wyoming.
He graduated in 1957 from Morristown High School in Morristown, Tennessee. Earl married Karen Schaefer on May 1, 1960, in Seward. They were blessed with two sons, Robert and Brian. Following Karen’s passing in 2001, Earl was united in marriage to Nancy Goldsmith on Nov. 21, 2002, in Kingston, Tennessee. Earl owned and operated Cooksey Insurance Agency, retiring in 2010. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, playing cards and cars. He especially enjoyed traveling with Nancy. Earl was a member of Big I (Independent Insurance Agents), St. John Lutheran Church and Izaak Walton League. He served as a trustee at St. John Lutheran Church for many years. Earl passed away Nov. 26, 2021, in Seward, at the age of 81 years, 11 months and 18 days.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Cooksey, Seward; sons, Robert (Dawn) Cooksey, Omaha, Brian (Michele) Cooksey, Seward; grandchildren, Anna (Stephen) Duncan, Sarah (Cory) Mullen, Aaron Cooksey, Griffin Cooksey, Samuel Cooksey, Britton (Taylor) Miller, Zachary Miller; great-grandchildren, Maya Duncan, Zoe Mullen, Helena Miller, Constantine Miller, Augustus Miller; Nancy’s children and grandchildren, Stacey (Kirk) Goodnight, Darin Engelbart (fiancé, Toni Schmitt), Derek Engelbart (Jenni); grandchildren, Sydney (Mitch) Walker, Adyson Goodnight, Dayton Engelbart, Jayda Engelbart; great-grandson, Everett Walker; his buddy, Bentley. Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Martha Cooksey and wife, Karen Cooksey.
Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Volzke Funeral Home in Seward with a gathering of family and friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The funeral service is at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at St. John Lutheran Church with interment at the Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Concordia University or St. John Lutheran School. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.volzkefuneralhome.com.
