John "Jack" E. Zook

John (Jack) E. Zook, 79, of Mason City, IA, passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at the IOOF Home after a long struggle with congestive heart failure. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, IA, with Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Monday, March 28, 2016 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue. 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, IA 50401.

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

Jack began his business career in 1958 and continued in the soft drink industry for 56 years, semi-retiring in December of 2014. His journey began with the Coca-Cola / 7-UP Bottling Company of Mason City, IA, for 22 years, Lang Sales (distributer for the soft drink industry) for 8 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 & 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, CA for the past 20 years where he conducted the annual business meetings for Western Sales. The last ten years Jack & 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, IA, 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, CO, Amanda and her husband Jared Rokke of Grimes, IA, Logan Pearce of Palm Desert, CA, Angela Zook of Waverly, IA, Brandon Pearce of Mason City and John A. Zook of Mason City. Great-grandchildren: Ashton & Layla Zook of Parker, CO and a 3rd great-grandchild “Baby Rokke” is scheduled to arrive in July 2016. Jack is also survived by his sister Lois Nieman of Ventura, IA, sister-in-law Karen Zook of Bloomington, IL, brother-in-law Harold Moravec of Dickeyville, WI, 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 & Nettie Zook and in-laws William & 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, 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.