Edward Newton Rook, age 75, of Roundup, MT, formerly of Lemmon, passed away at the Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings on Friday, December 13, 2013.

The Memorial Service for Ed will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lemmon. Inurnment will be in Greenhill Cemetery with full military honors afforded by the Brattvet-Green American Legion Post #66 of Lemmon.

Edward Newton Rook was born on March 1, 1938, to Earl ""Harold"" and Lois (Wenner) Rook in Adams County, North Dakota. He grew up in Lemmon, South Dakota along with his four brothers. He graduated from Lemmon High School in 1956. He was a member of the South Dakota National Guard from Dec. 7, 1955 to May 28, 1958. He enlisted in the US Navy on May 29, 1958 in San Diego, CA and was medically discharged on June 27, 1958. He married LaVonne Thom on July 12, 1962. Three children were born to this union: Brenda, Edward Todd and Carla.

Ed drove truck most of his life, starting at the age of nine. At this young age, he helped his father, who was ill, and hauled gravel to build the Shadehill Dam near Lemmon. After high school, he drove for Earl and John Corcoran in Lemmon. Ed and LaVonne moved to Billings, Montana in 1976. Ed leased on with Raymond Corcoran and Ed Corcoran in Billings. He later drove for Makeeff Trucking until his retirement in June, 2004.

Ed was an avid horseman. He belonged to the Lemmon Saddle Club for many years and was active in 4-H with his kids. He even hauled the Lockwood Humble B's members' horses to the state 4-H Horse show in his semi one year.

Ed was very athletic in his younger years and kept that competitive mentality in life (even if it meant he might need to cheat to win a hand of cards). Ed enjoyed all animals, plants, kids of all ages and was especially proud of his family.

Ed was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2009 and entered Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings in 2011.

Ed will be dearly missed by his wife, LaVonne of Roundup, MT, daughter, Brenda (Dwayne) Robison of Billings, MT, son, Ed of Roundup, MT and daughter, Carla (Jeff) Sackmann of Lemmon, SD; grandchildren, Darren Rook of Roundup, MT, Joe, Kristina, Josh and Katie Sackmann of Lemmon, SD, Susie (Dennis) Pitts of Roberts, MT, Stanley Robison of Billings, MT, Steve Robison of Colorado, and Stacie (Denton) Schillreff of Billings, MT; five great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren; Brothers and sisters-in-laws Russell and Sheila Rook of Aberdeen, SD, Roger and Kathy Rook of Lemmon, SD, Aldene Rook of Rapid City, SD and Peggy Rook, of Lemmon, SD; Mother-in-law Margaret Hoffman of Rapid City, SD and Sister and brother-in-law Lynda and Gary Galinat of Pierre, SD along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, Harold and Lois Rook, brothers Clarence and Norman Rook, son-in-law Steve Markuson, in-laws, Fred and Helen Thom and Erwin Hoffman, and niece Vicki Cummins.