Calvin Eugene Hook

Calvin Eugene Hook, 86, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 29, 1930, in Greeley, Iowa, the son of Russell and Elsie (Brady) Hook.  He was raised and educated in the Greeley area, and graduated from Colesburg High School in 1948.

On August 6, 1949, Cal was united in marriage to Garneth Ridenour at the Methodist parsonage in Manchester.  Four daughters were born to this union.  After their marriage, Cal worked as a farm hand and then moved to St. Louis where he worked at Grant Farm for Anheuser-Busch.  They moved back to Iowa in 1959 and he opened Cal’s Sinclair Station.  He also was a mechanic for J.M. Jones and Smitty’s.  Cal then went to work for the City of Manchester in the Wastewater Treatment Plant until he retired in 1988.  After retirement he worked part-time for the Manchester City Parks.

Cal was a long time member of the Methodist Church.  He loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren and enjoyed tinkering on mowers and “ wheeling and dealing”.  Cal also loved camping, dancing, and helping at the Backbone Bluegrass Festivals.

Survivors include his wife, Garneth Hook of Manchester; three daughter Calleen (David) Adam of Postville, Beatrice (Todd) Wheeler of Arlington, and Dawn (Bill) Ross of Manchester; one son-in-law, John LeGassick; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Norma Sauerbry of Edgewood, Kathleen (Randy) Waterman of Manchester, and Barb Nurre of Elkader.

Cal was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Melani Legassick in 2013; a grandson, Scott Adam in 2015; a great-grandson, Eli Adam; and two brothers-in-law, Dave Nurre, and Wayne Sauerbry.

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