Gary L. Book

Gary L. Book, 57, of Sioux City died Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, near Brookings, S.D.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Gary Snyder officiating. Burial will be St. Michael's Cemetery at South Sioux City. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Gary was born March 16, 1949, in Climbing Hill, Iowa, to La Verne and Donna (Warner) Book. The family came to Sioux City when Gary was in the first grade. He attended Sioux City Schools, graduating from Leeds High School in 1967. He attended college in Hawarden, Iowa, for one year, and then joined the U.S. Navy Seabees in January 1969. He served during the Vietnam conflict and came back to Sioux City in 1971.

He married Latitia Wingert on Sept. 16, 1972, in Ponca, Neb. Gary became both a first-time father and a member of the Sioux City Fire Department in July 1975. He served on the fire department for 26 years, retiring in 2001. Through the years, he had also worked for Vern Book and Sons Construction and later, Bill Book Construction.

He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, where he thoroughly enjoyed donating his time to the weekly Lenten fish dinners. He was a member of both the Firefighters and Retired Firefighters Unions. Gary enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandchildren. He was an avid woodworker, fisherman and enjoyed riding motorcycles. In 2001, he realized his life's dream of building a new home for his family.

Survivors include his wife, Latitia of Sioux City; three daughters, Amanda Hughes and her husband, Steve of Sioux City, Sarah Book of Lincoln, Neb., and Megan Book of Sioux City; three brothers, Richard Book and his wife, Sherry of Sioux City, William Book and his wife, Linda of Sioux City, and Robert Book and his wife, Teresa of Akron, Iowa; four grandchildren, Garrett Book, McKenna Book, Ally Hughes and Brady Hughes; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Book.

Pallbearers will be Ross Beisner, Ken Bliek, Andy Kohn, Grant Mears, Mark Strong and Bryan Van Holland.