Karen Denise Cook

Karen D. Cook, 67, of Rittman, Ohio, passed away on August 29th, 2026.

Karen was born on January 14th, 1959, in Akron, Ohio. She graduated from Revere High School and married her husband, Joe, in 1980 while he was attending law school at The University of Akron. Karen worked as a veterinary assistant before leaving paid employment to raise her children. Later in life, she returned to school and earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Brown Mackie College.

Karen’s hobbies revolved around her lifelong love of animals. She raised, trained, and showed Labrador retrievers in her younger years and was an active member of the Northern Ohio Labrador Retriever Club. She also spent many years rescuing and fostering cats and dogs. Her passion for horses was evident throughout her life. She raised her own beloved Morgan, Colt, and later mentored her daughters through their 4-H careers. After that, she provided opportunities for other 4-H children to show her miniature horses, mentoring them and sharing her love of horses with a younger generation. She was also an avid model horse hobbyist and made many dear friends within that community. Karen will be remembered for her generous heart, her deep love of animals, and the kindness she showed to everyone around her.

She is survived by her daughters, Carrie Cook (Mike) and Casey Cook; her father, Don Dzuro; her brothers, Jeff Dzuro (Cathy) and Phil Dzuro; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, who brought her great joy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph F. Cook, Jr.; and her mother, Barbara Dzuro.

A memorial service to celebrate Karen’s Life will take place at 11 A.M. SATURDAY September 12th, 2026, at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333. Inurnment will take place at Rose Hill Burial Park following the Memorial Service. Friends may call 10-11 A.M. SATURDAY September 12th, 2026, at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Karen’s memory to One of A Kind Pet Rescue, 1929 W. Market Street, Akron, OH 44313 https://www.oneofakindpets.com/

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road, Akron, OH 44333 (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel).