Ricky Bryan Rook

Rock Valley, IA: Ricky Bryan Rook, 65, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 10, at 2:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley.

   Ricky "Rick" Bryan Rook was born on January 3,1960, to his parents, Wilbur and Tillie (DeJong) Rook. He was the only boy with four older sisters and one younger sister. He grew up on the family farm outside of Doon, Iowa and went to school in Rock Valley, Iowa. Farming was in his blood, like it was in his fathers.

   In June of 1979, he married the love of his life, Kathy Leusink. In October 1983, they welcomed their first little girl, Alisha. After Alisha was born, they moved to the family farm where Rick had done numerous things over the years, from raising hogs and painted ponies to selling small lawn tractors. In May of 1993, they welcomed their second daughter, Caitlin.

   In 2012, Rick needed a change in scenery, so he and his family decided to move to Colorado, where he had started a small automotive repair shop. After his wife passed away in 2015, Iowa started calling to his heart and he moved back in 2020. After moving back, he worked for some area farmers hauling cattle and hogs as well as working for the Rock Valley Hay Auction.

   Rick retired at the beginning of 2025 at the age of 65 and he and his good friend, Gerald Van Tilburg, traveled to different gun shows in the area.

   He is survived by his daughters, Alisha Rook of Pueblo, Colorado and Caitlin Rook of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sisters, Marlys Hamann of Hull, Iowa, and Paula Brandimarte of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother-in-law and brother by heart, Stephen Applegate of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and his mother, Tillie Rook of Rock Valley.

   Rick was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Rook; sister, Vickie Riphagen; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.