HOOK, Rudolph 1841-1928

HOOK, OSTENDORP

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/9/2011 at 12:07:23

Aplington Man's Funeral Conducted at Reform Church

The funeral of R. R. Hook, Sr., who died at the R. Ostendorf home near Buck Grove Sunday morning, was conducted this afternoon at the Reform church in Aplington. Burial was at the cemetery near Dreyer's school west of town. Mr. Hook was 85 years old.

--Waterloo Evening Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 16 August 1928

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Early Grundy Resident Dead

Rudolph Berend Hook, Sr., was born May 13, 1841, at Ihren, Eastfriesland, Germany. When 32 years of age, he came to America. Two years later he returned to the old country, where he was married in 1875 to Antje Ostendorp. Five years later they came to this country, settling on a farm in Grundy county. They were blessed with nine children, four sons and five daughters. Of these three daughters preceded the father in death: Geeske, 1 1/2 years old, Kea, 13 years, and Mrs. Jessie Mennen, a few months ago.

In 1911, the wife and life's companion died. Since then, he made his home with the children. Up to his old age, Mr. Hook enjoyed a fair measure of health at all times. During the last few years and especially since the death of his daughter, Mrs. Seede Mennen, his physical strength was ebbing away, his sight, and at last also his hearing left him, until on Sunday, night, August 12, he followed the summons of the Lord and died at the good ripe age of 87 years, 2 months and 30 days.

Of his nine children, the four sons and two daughters survive him, and with their families mourn his departure. They are Berend, Ontje, Harm, Rudolph, Gretje (Mrs. William Heerts) and Tetje (Mrs. Rudolph Ostendorp). There are also 37 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. One brother, Fred Hook, and three sisters, Mrs. F. Neeman, Mrs. Peter Hessenius and Mrs. W. Wumkes are mourning the loss of their brother.

The funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon, August 16, in the Reformed church at Aplington, where a very large gathering showed that Mr. Hook was loved and respected by everybody everywhere. His pastor, Rev. George Schnucker, conducted the services and preached the English sermon, while Rev. D. Siemsen assisted and preached in German.

Interment was at the family lot in the little cemetery near the Junker schoolhouse, in Pleasant Valley township.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 23 August 1928, pg 1