Mark Cook, age 60, of Wall Lake, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at his home in Wall Lake.

Services will be held on Tuesday, April 15th at 10:30 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake with burial at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Wall Lake.

Visitation is at the church in Wall Lake on Monday, April 14th, from 4:00-8:00 p.m., with a Vigil and Rosary Service beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Mark LaRoy Cook was born on May 19, 1947, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll, Iowa to Roy and Marcella (Neppl) Cook. Mark was baptized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake, Iowa, where he remained an active member throughout his life. Mark was joined by a brother, Noel, and a sister, Janice. The family lived on farms south of Wall Lake for several years, before moving into town.

Mark attended the Levey Township Country School for three years before attending Wall Lake Community School, where he graduated in 1965. Following high school, Mark attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, graduating in 1969 with a degree in secondary education and history.

Mark taught at St. Bernard’s School in Breda, Iowa for three years, before starting Cook Painting in 1974. In 1977, Mark and his brother, Noel, co-founded COOK SIDING SUPPLY, INC. The business thrived, and continues today.

On February 14, 1981, Mark married his wife, Catherine (Healy) at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Vail, Iowa. Mark and Cathy made their home in Wall Lake, and had five children: Haley, Alissa, Kellen, Alexis and Damon.

In 1992 Mark moved his family to a farm south of Wall Lake. He enjoyed planting trees on his farm and coffee breaks with family and friends on his deck, where he was always ready to discuss the latest news on the political circuit and the stock market. He loved being outdoors, especially when he was sharing the time with his family.

Mark enjoyed watching his children participate in extra curricular activities, and was always available with quick words of encouragement or advice. Some of Mark’s favorite things included: coffee breaks, fishing, baseball, reading, watching historical documentaries, and playing cards with the “guys” at Cook Siding Supply.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Cook; children: Haley Cook, Alissa (Corey) Blair, Kellen Cook, Alexis Cook and Damon Cook; mother, Marcella Cook; brother, Noel (Elaine) Cook; and sister, Janice (Dave) McChesney; as well as many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Cook; grandparents, Anna and Joseph Neppl and Floyd and Carrie Cook; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.