Maurice Blocker 1922-2003

BLOCKER, HOLSCHLAG, HANCOCK, MACKEY

Posted By: S. Ferrall (email)
Date: 8/14/2004 at 03:11:34

Maurice Blocker, age 81, of Waukon, died Saturday, November 1, 2003, at his home after a long illness. Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 4 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Waukon, with Father Joe Schneider and Monsignor Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Burial was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, rural Waukon. Hanson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Maurice Francis Blocker was born at home on the family farm west of New Hampton, Iowa, January 21, 1922. He was the eldest son of Leo and Mary Lucina (Holschlag) Blocker. Maurice grew up on his parents' farm until it was lost during the Depression. After completing the eighth grade, he moved to the New Albin area, where he earned his room and board working for area farmers and Dan Kelly Produce. Maurice met a young schoolteacher, Jeanne Hancock, while roller skating at the Dreamland Ballroom. He would later propose to her after returning from his service during World War II. At the age of 21, Maurice volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy. He saw action in the Aleutian Islands and South Pacific. While in the South Pacific, he survived being wounded and the sinking of three ships. He was honorably discharged from the service of his country in December of 1945. On November 28, 1945, Maurice and Jeanne were wed at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing. It snowed heavily that day and they often spoke of how slippery the roads were on the way to the church that morning. They made their home in Waukon and had four sons. Maurice and Jeanne worked together to start Blocker Milling Service. Along with their sons and many hired workers, they built the business to serve hundreds of farmers in Northeast Iowa. Countless customers remember the early years of Maurice pulling into their farmyards with his portable mill to grind feed. Maurice and Jeanne sold their business in order to retire in the fall of 1985. During his retirement years, Maurice was noted for the produce from his garden that he fed many families, the rectory, and convent. Maurice will also be remembered for the many rides home from school that he provided for his grandchildren and their friends. Maurice's "bus" had its own parking spot in front of St. Pat's school.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanne; four sons, Richard (Dawn) Blocker, Dennis (Marlene) Blocker, Donald (Dawn) Blocker, and David (Anne) Blocker, all of Waukon; 12 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two siblings, Russell Blocker and Virginia Mackey. Honorary casketbearers were Ed Schulte, Roger Ruegnitz, Randy Smith, Al Snitker, Wayne Verthein, and Gary Gremm. Casketbearers were Tom Schulte, Bob Schulte, Pat Bunke, John Hancock, Harold Hancock, and Donald Hancock.

©Waukon Standard 2003
source: Waukon Standard, Waukon, Allamakee Co. IA, 11/5/2003