John E. Zook

John (Jack) E. Zook, 79, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at the IOOF Home after a long struggle with congestive heart failure.  A celebration of life service was held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd Street SE, Mason City, Iowa 50401.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

Jack was born on April 24, 1936 to Edwin & Nettie (Grell) Zook.  He was raised on a farm south of Clear Lake.  After graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1954, Jack married Marilyn Moravec on June 30, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City.

Jack began his business career in 1958 and continued in the soft drink industry for 56 years, semi-retiring in December 2014. His journey began with the Coca-Cola/7-UP Bottling Company of Mason City, for 22 years, Lang Sales (distributer for the soft drink industry) for eight years and Western Sales (purchasing co-op for Coca-Cola Bottlers) for 26 years.  In addition to his soft drink career, Jack and his family started Monroe Storage in 1992.  He enjoyed going to work every day until his last health episode on Memorial Day, 2015.

Jack and Marilyn enjoyed traveling. They took numerous trips, traveling to every state in the United States, as well as several trips overseas and many cruises.  Jack’s favorite trips were the cruises he took with his entire family.  Jack vacationed in Palm Springs, Calif. for the past 20 years where he conducted the annual business meetings for Western Sales. The last 10 years Jack and Marilyn included the entire family to join them in Palm Springs, where many great memories were made.

Jack has been an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1957.  He most enjoyed serving as a Sunday morning usher. Jack also was very active in the North Iowa Vintage Auto Club (NIVA), as well as a member of the Moose Lodge.

Jack is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of 58 years.  They are parents to four children: Alan (deceased in 2008) and his wife, Danette (Kemna), of Mason City, Bill and his wife, Tammy (Jass), of Ankeny, Iowa, Ray and his wife, Anne (Groth), of Mason City and his daughter, Jo Ann and her husband, Rob Pearce, of Mason City.  Grandchildren: Adam Zook and his wife, Vanessa (Natal), of Parker, Colo., Amanda and her husband, Jared Rokke, of Grimes, Iowa, Logan Pearce, of Palm Desert, Calif., Angela Zook, of  Waverly, Iowa, Brandon Pearce, of Mason City, and John A. Zook, of  Mason City.  Great-grandchildren: Ashton and Layla Zook, of Parker and a third great-grandchild, “Baby Rokke,” is scheduled to arrive in July 2016.  Jack is also survived by his sister, Lois Nieman, of Ventura; sister-in-law, Karen Zook, of Bloomington, Ill.; brother-in-law, Harold Moravec, of Dickeyville, Wis.; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jack was “Welcomed Home” into heaven by his son, Alan Zook; his brother, Wayne Zook; his parents, Edwin and Nettie Zook; and in-laws, William and Willena (Olson) Moravec.

Jack’s family would like to say a special thank you to the numerous caregivers: the doctors and nurses of Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, the staff of Trinity Lutheran Church, IOOF Home and Hospice of North Iowa.  Also a big thank you to the many family and friends who visited him over the past several months as well as the support of the Nieman Family.

Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.