BOCKMAN, Joe 1922-1999

UHLENHAKE, BOCKMAN, ETTELDORF, STERLING, STEELE, BULLERMAN, ELBERTH, VAHLING, DAUGHTERLY

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/20/2010 at 08:13:37

Decorah Journal, Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999

Joe Bockman

Joe Bockman, 77, of Decorah, died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 1999, at the Oneota Riverview Care Facility in Decorah, after a short illness. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m., at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with the Rev. Gary Krapfl officiating.

Alan Sensor was the organist. Joan Schissel was the cantor. Soloist Paul Casterton sang "The Lord's Prayer" and "Ave Maria."

The casket bearers were Joseph's grandchildren.

Interment was at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Cemetery in Festina. The French & Balik Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Joe was born Sept. 22, 1922, near Festina, the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Uhlenhake) Bockman. He attended country schools at Festina.

He was married to Rosemary Etteldorf May 22, 1945, at St. Mary's Church in Festina. He farmed the family farm until 1972.

He then moved to Rossville and owned a small business called Pappy Joe's until 1978. Joe then moved to Decorah and worked as a custodian at Luther College, retiring in 1986.

While Joe was at the Oneota Care Center, he brought laughter and friendliness to patients and staff alike. Throughout his life, he instilled the richness of life, love, sense of humor and kindness to all.

Survivors include 10 children: Mary Jo and David Sterling of St. Paul, Minn., Leon and Gloria Bockman of Decorah, Patricia and Ralph Steele of Onalaska, Wis., Jane and Leon Bullerman of Decorah, Steve and Janet Bockman of Allen, Texas, Tom and Teresa Bockman of Decorah, Sharon and Dennis Elberth of Little Touch Key, Fla, Faye Bockman of Decorah, Mark Bockman of Decorah, and Mike and Dominique Bockman of Decorah.

There are 20 grandchildren, Brett Bockman, Beth Bockman, Burke Bockman, Brook Bockman, Julie Bockman, Jamie Bockman, Jason Bockman, Jeremy Bockman, Cory Bullerman, Kasey Bullerman, Tony Steele, John Steele, Paula Steele, Joleen Elberth, Jarard Elberth, Brittney Bockman, Russell Bockman, Nicholas Gradick, Matthew Sterling and Nicholas Joseph Bockman.

Survivors also include three great grandchildren, Madison, Taylor and
Xzavier; two brothers, Andy and Marian Bockman of Anaheim, Calif., and Frank and Helen Bockman of Lady Lake, Fla; and two sister, Florence Vahling of Hoxie, Kan., and Betty and Dan Daughterly of Peoria, Ariz.

Joe Bockman was preceded in death by his wife Rosemary, who died in 1970; three brothers, Al, Norbert and Brother Damian SVD; two sisters, Sister Mary FSPA and Vianney; and one granddaughter, Renee Steele.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa