Katherine Hertler Rook

Katherine (Katie) Rook passed away peacefully on December 19, at the age of 92, in Morris CT. Katie Hertler was born in Middletown, CT on November 17, 1926. She was the daughter of William Hertler and Elizabeth Forant Hertler and the sister of William Hertler and Mary (Patsy) Hertler, all of whom predeceased her. She graduated from Middletown High School and furthered her education at the Universities of Cincinnati and Connecticut. She married the love of her life, Albert Rook, of Cromwell, CT, in 1946.

Eventually settling in Stamford, CT in 1954, Katie and Al continued to grow their family to include eight children. Katie was a devoted mother and volunteer extraordinaire. She was a Girl Scout leader, founder of the Springdale Drum and Bugle Corps, raised champion dogs and, on behalf of her children, became very involved in ballroom dancing competitions. In 1972, Katie and Al and their family moved to Redding, CT. It did not take long for her to become the chairwoman of the Redding Country Club teen club and pool committee. Katie was also a Board member of the Wilton Swim Team organization, where she served as a national swim judge. She served as a Vice President of the St. Patrick’s Church Ladies Guild in Redding and volunteered at the Nearly New Shop. Not busy enough, Katie was the founder and president of the Joel Barlow PTA in Redding, where she established a post-prom program to discourage after prom teen drinking and driving.

Katie was very active in the Republican Party of Redding, serving as president of the Republican Women’s Club and as a Redding town Selectman. Katie co-founded the Israel Putnam Fife and Drum Corps. She worked very hard to establish and build the Gazebo on Redding’s town green, which was dedicated to war veterans. Katie managed show business careers for her children and eventually established Mama Rook’s Personalities, where she managed numerous other children and adults. In her later years, Katie took great pleasure in serving as a Justice of the Peace, and presiding at many weddings.

Katie was predeceased in death by her loving husband Albert and her daughter Heidi Rook Watts and son-in-law Douglas Watts. She is survived by her daughter Katae Rook of Tolland, CT, son Albert Rook (Mary Grace) of Washington, D.C., daughter Theresa Rook of Newtown Square, PA, daughter Patricia Rook King (Joel) of Suwannee, GA, son William Rook (Hwang Kyeong) of Redding, CT, daughter Gretchen Rook Lucera (John) of Woodbury, CT and son Eric Rook (Renee) of Morris, CT. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Bouton Funeral Home in Georgetown CT on December 28, from 4:008:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in Redding, CT on December 29, at 11:30 a.m.

Donations in her memory can be made to: Redding Land Trust (reddingctlandtrust.org) or the the charity of one’s choice for the betterment of children or animals.

To offer online condolences to her family please visit www. boutonfuneralhome.com