Harry Cooke, age 95 of Ruthven, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Parc Hall in Emmetsburg, Iowa. A Celebration of Life Visitation was held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Martin Mattice Funeral Home in Ruthven. A Private Family Burial will be held at a later date. Services were entrusted to Martin Mattice Funeral Home of Ruthven.
Harry Chris Cooke, the son of Vincent and Mabel (Nelson) Cooke, was born on February 25, 1931 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He worked for an international dealership as a parts man, Iowa Lakes Community College as a Retail Sales Instructor, and farmed. On February 1, 1951, Harry was united in marriage to Jane Allen in Ayrshire, Iowa.
As a young child, he would perform a whip show with his father. In 1973, they moved to the farm outside of Ayrshire and farmed pigs, which he enjoyed working on everyday. He loved mowing, splitting wood, and spending time with his family and friends. Harry enjoyed spending time in the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, and camping. He especially enjoyed taking a yearly camping trip with his family to Rice Lake in Eden Valley, Minnesota where they would fish, water ski, and spend time together.
Left to cherish Harry’s memory are his children, Judy (Steve) Sargent of Sioux City, Vicky (Ben) Siemers of Okoboji, Cindy (Brian) Zielstra of Ayrshire, and Heidi (Mike Franker) Sparks of Lost Island; eleven grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren; and sisters, Majorie, Charlotte, Nancy, Joy and Louise.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Mabel; wife, Jane; infant son.
