Barbara Rook

Barbara Ann Hof Rook, 81, of State Center, formerly of Marshalltown, died November 17, 2008, at the State Center Nursing and Rehab Center. A private family graveside service will be held at the Albion Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family.For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been caring for Barbara and her family. Barbara was born on September 16, 1927, in Albion, the daughter of Walter and Rachel Hof. She married John R. Rook in a chapel service in Des Moines, Iowa. The double ring ceremony was read on September 16, 1948, at the First United Methodist Church. Barbara and John had 3 children- John Michael, Nancy, and James. Mrs. Rook graduated from the Marshalltown High School in 1944 and worked as a service representative for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. She and her husband were partners in the Rook Coal Company. Later, they owned and operated Vans Caf, the Captains Galley, and the Marshalltown Sheet Metal Works. She went to work in 1977 for Kapaun and Brown, where she worked full-time until her retirement at the age of 75. Barbara is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Ron) Johnston; her son James Rook; and her grandchildren, Kori, Kelsi, and Cameron Johnston, Tyler Rook, and John Ray Rook. She was predeceased by her husband, John Robert; her son John Michael; her granddaughter, Jennifer Rook; her brother, Willard Hof; and her sisters, Clara Jean Tubbs, Eleanor Thompson, and Margaret Larsen.