Ralph E. Cook, Jr.

Ralph Ernest Cook, Jr., 67, of Britt passed away Thursday, May 30, 2019 at his home in Britt, Iowa.

Memorial services for Ralph Cook Jr. will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church, 707 4^th Street South West in Britt with Pastor Robert Dodge officiating. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 from 5-7 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Ralph Ernest Cook, Jr., the son of Ralph and Mary (Thompson) Cook, was born on August 30, 1951 in Forest City, Iowa. Ralph was raised in Britt and graduated from Britt High School in 1969.

In 1969, Ralph married Janice Fox.  To this union, three children were born; Chris, Jamie and Heidi.  The couple later divorced.

On June 20, 1981 Ralph married Roberta Whalen at the Britt Lutheran Church.  To this union, two sons were born; Reggie and Remington, and special son, Alan Askren.

During and after high school, Ralph worked various farm jobs around the area.  It was this time when Ralph found a love for farming and being outside. He worked for Morton Buildings, dairy farming and taking classes on animal husbandry, and the Shell Rock Parks and Recreation Department. He started his own business, R and R irrigation, then worked at Zirk Welding and Irrigation in Michigan before moving back to Iowa, working at IMT before retiring.

He traveled all over the country while installing irrigation systems, having the nickname “Rainmaker.” He would bring his sons on the road while teaching them the meaning of hard work.

In his free time, Ralph loved to fish.  He also was an avid gardener, once producing 500 pounds of potatoes in one year. He played a big part in the Britt community garden.

Ralph is survived by his wife Robbi Cook; children Reggie (Laurie) Cook and their sons Jackson and Gibson of Clear Lake, Remington (Kayci) Cook of Britt, Alan Askren (Tracey McNamara), Chris (Deborah) Cook, Jamie Cook, and Heidi Tuttle and their families; mother Mary Cook of Britt; siblings Joseph (Jane) Cook of Britt, Karen (Dan) Peterson of Britt, Mark (Julie) Cook of Garner, Steven (Jill) Cook of Algona and Terry Cook of Garner; brother-in-law Patrick Whalen of Mason City; along with many nieces, nephews, and many many cats.

He was preceded in death by his father Ralph Cook, Sr, sister-in law Cyndie Whalen, maternal and paternal grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.