Geraldine “Gerry” M. Hook, 92, of Waterloo, died Tuesday evening, April 8, 2025, at the Ossian Senior Hospice.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made in Geri’s name to Red Carpet Golf Course or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, both in Waterloo.
Geraldine Mary was born on a farm in the Jackson Junction area on June 26, 1932. She was born to Martin & Viola (Drilling) Bruess. She was the second oldest of 5 children.
Gerry was baptized and confirmed at St Mary’s Catholic Church. She attended school in Waucoma, where she was awarded several “Letters” in basketball as a forward. She continued her education at Hamilton Business College. Gerry worked at John Deere for 25 years.
Gerry was united in marriage to Franklin Hook on February 15, 1958 in a small private ceremony. The couple resided in Waterloo until Frank’s passing in 2000. Gerry continued to reside in Waterloo until February, 2024, when she moved to the Ossian Care Center.
Frank and Gerry were avid golfers, spending many years at Porky’s Red Carpet Country Club, even achieving a couple holes-in-one. Gerry also bowled and earned many tournament trophies at the State level. Gerry was a huge sports fan. She enjoyed watching the Cubs, and she and Frank were Iowa Hawkeye season ticket holders. They rarely missed a football or basketball game. The couple also loved to travel and spent most of their winters in Texas or Florida.
Gerry will be missed by those that knew and loved her. She is survived by her sisters, Beverly (Kyke) Lutkenhaus, and Dorothy Schmitt, and a sister-in-law, Darlene Bruess. She has many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was her brother, DeWayne Bruess and sister, Marion Milbrandt, along with brothers-in-law, Dale Milbrandt and Florian Schmitt.
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