Celebrating the life of Iris Elaine (Hesterly) Zook March 1, 1927 – March 25, 2019 Our loving mother Iris Elaine (Hesterly) Zook lived a full life to the age 92. She was born on March 1, 1927 to Chet and Clara Hesterly. Iris spent her growing up years on various farms and homes in the Lake Odessa area where she lived with her parents and four sisters.
Growing up during the depression had its ups and downs and Iris, along with her sisters worked hard and made many of their own play things. Iris graduated from Lake Odessa High School in 1944. In her late teens Iris met Edwin (Ed) Eli Zook to whom she was married on March 27, 1946.
They began their married life in Clarksville before moving to the Lake Odessa area. Ed and Iris were blessed with 9 biological children and one foster child who remains a part of the family. Those children included Norma (Dan) Grieser, Joyce (Ross) Weber, Richard (Karen) Zook, Donna (Bob) Kauffman, Mary Zook, Ronald (Anita) Zook, Timothy (Tammie) Zook, Thomas (Linda) Zook, James (Trudy) Zook, and Harold (Sallie) VanGilder.
Iris worked hard raising her family, helping on the farm, gardening, canning, and running after parts for the farm. She always welcomed her nieces and nephews who often came to join in with their cousins. She had a heart for serving others, inviting company over whether friends of her children or friends of their own, and she enjoyed spending time outdoors.
Iris also spent time working for Commission on Aging serving meals for several years. It wasn’t long until children were getting married and announcing upcoming arrivals of children. There are now 29 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Iris’s grandchildren have many fond memories of spending much time at the farm on Bliss Road. Playing were some of the highlights. Children (and their spouses), Grandchildren (and their spouses) and Great Grandchildren (and their spouses) now total 154.
What an amazing celebration of life! She is also survived by a sister Beulah (Max) Bradley and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Iris in Death are her husband, Edwin Eli Zook, Grandson Gregory Zook, Great Grandson Gerald Grieser and great granddaughter Madison Weber, parents Chet and Clara Hesterly, sisters Fern Nielsen, Helen Bever and Bernice Clum.
Visitation will be held from 4pm until 8pm on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at Koops Funeral Chapel in Lake Odessa. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 29, 2019 at Calvary Grace Church in Alto, MI at 11am. Burial will take place in the Bowne Mennonite Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be given to Thornapple Manor or Great Lakes Hospice. Online condolences can be left at www.
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