Louise Bainter

Grove, OK - Louise Bainter was born August 22, 1916 at Fort Scott, Kansas to Chester C. Cole and Ethel (Zook) Cole. Louise passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 23, 2006 at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and her beloved husband, Lewis W. Bainter. Louise was a woman of many talents. As a young girl, she trained and rode horses. She rode in a Fourth of July parade on a golden palomino along side Hopalong Cassidy. She traveled the world, taking cruises, safaris in Africa and touring extensively in Europe. Her last long trip was with her husband, Lewis. They followed the last leg of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Lewis was a direct descendant of Merriweather Lewis. During World War II, Louise held a civil service rating and worked in eight states. Louise has lived in Grove for the last 50 years. She loved fishing and with her husband, won several fishing tournaments, the most coveted being the Mr. and Mrs. World Series of Sport Fishing titles in 1962 and 1965. She unknowingly created the first public fishing dock when her friends became so numerous that she started charging them to fish in her private dock. Instead of slowing down the dock traffic, it increased. Her other hobbies included hooking rugs, sewing, gardening, cooking and, of course, bridge. Louise was a top notch player and she loved her bridge clubs and the many friends and challenges they provided. Education was very important to her. After her brother's death, she started and endowment program at Fort Scott Community College - The George F. Zook Heritage Program. Survivors are a cousin, Helen Williams of Wichita, Kansas; a step-son, Max Bainter of Winner, South Dakota and good friends and caregivers, Richard & Edris Berry of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove, Oklahoma. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Louise requested that in lieu of flowers, friends give to the First Presbyterian Church of Grove.