Mark Raymond BOCK

BOCK, LAGE, PALS, DOHNDT, KINDWALL, ROETMAN, NABER, PRUITT, CAMPBELL, ROUSE, SCHAVEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/13/2012 at 11:37:25

July 23, 1958 --- September 10, 2012

BELMOND - Mark R. Bock, 54, of rural Belmond, died Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital, Belmond, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 14, at the First Reformed Church of Alexander, Alexander. Pastor Philip Arnold will be officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery, Belmond. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-8 p.m., at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and continues one hour prior to the services at church Friday. The family suggests those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial to Mark's life consider Hospice of Wright County, Iowa Specialty Hospital of Belmond, to the family, or to the donor's choice.

Mark Raymond Bock, the son of Harold and Mary (Lage) Bock, was born July 23, 1958, in the Lemars, Iowa, area. He was one of 10 children to bless this union. Mark moved with his family to a farm near Belmond with his family at the age of 5. Mark attended Belmond Community Schools, graduating with the Belmond High School Class of 1976. During his years in Belmond schools he was active in wrestling and football. He also participated in both Alexander Youth Baseball and 4-H Leagues during his childhood. Following his primary education in Belmond, Mark went on to continue his post-secondary education at Hawkeye Technical College where he studied for two years in the Diesel Mechanics program. Mark later returned to his childhood roots on the farm near Belmond where he began his lifelong vocation as a farmer.

Mark was united in marriage to Denise Pals on July 16, 1983, at the First Reformed Church, Alexander. The couple's marriage and life partnership brought three beautiful children into the world: Kyle, Nash and Kelsey. Mark and Denise farmed and raised their family east of Belmond. Farming to Mark was much more than just a career, it was a calling and something he truly loved in every way. Be it working the black earth and planting the seeds in the spring of the year, reaping the fruits of the harvest in the fall, or meticulously planning the outcome of each and every task or chore, his mind was always looking to the future. His mind was always delving into the tasks at hand. Mark used this same ambition and drive for knowledge in all that he did. He constantly researched in great depth when it came to purchasing a product, machinery, equipment, or service for farming or an electronic item, vehicle or luxury item for enjoyment. Mark's love of lifelong learning and history was of great importance in nearly all that he did with his family. They reflect back on family vacations that would always include great times of fun and leisure, but these adventures would almost certainly include a side trek to a museum or other destination along the route that would involve an educational or historical element. His wife and children fondly remember their husband and dad as a man not only as a hard worker who gave 100 percent to all he did, but also a terrific husband and father who always found time at the end of the day or on the weekend to play ball and other games with them no matter how tired he may have been.

Family was of utmost importance in his life. His children knew that he was always there cheering for them in all their extra-curricular activities. He and Denise were always there in the stands or at other events which they may have been involved in. Mark had a lifelong love for sports. It commenced during his school years and continued throughout adulthood. He was always quite competitive, for many years playing on a variety of adult softball teams, including a dream opportunity in recent years to play on a team with sons Kyle and Nash in a tournament in which their team won the championship. He absolutely relished this precious occasion. His competitive fire could also be seen around the foosball and ping pong table with family and friends. If you wanted to win you would most definitely want to have Mark on your team. Mark enjoyed more laid-back occasions as well, such as the "Annual Bock Family Camping Outings," a game of cards with family and friends, relaxing while watching a game of "Jeopardy," "Millionaire" or "Cash Cab," or just spending times visiting at a family or community gathering. He loved to do woodworking and had made numerous meticulously handcrafted keepsakes and furnishings for his family. Most certainly if you were to find Mark in the shop or working on his machinery the air would be filled with his favorite tunes in the background.

Though his primary life focuses were on family and farming, he was not afraid to lend his time, skills and knowledge to various volunteer projects and organizations. Mark had spent time helping develop and build the walking trail in River Park along the Iowa River in Belmond and had helped in the construction of the ball diamond facilities and the Belmond-Klemme Schools Campus. His love for young people found Mark giving of his leadership as a coach and volunteer with area Little Kids Baseball programs and with the Youth Wrestling programs of the community. All who knew Mark and had the privilege of crossing his life journey will remember him as a quiet yet very friendly man who never strived to be in the spotlight or cared to be recognized by the greater world. He gave of himself and his talents because it was the thing to do. He had a boundless love for his family and friends. He had a great wit and unique sense of humor. He was always up for a good prank or good clean fun. His quick wit and love for everything that life brought into his path were one of a kind. Upon being diagnosed with cancer, and during the time of his yearlong fight with the disease, his competitive nature shown through brightly as be battled it each and every second until the end. Over the last few months he spent precious occasions with his family experiencing many first time adventures such as riding a train in the Twin Cities, catching Joe Mauer's foul ball at the Twins game, and taking an inaugural trip in a small plane touring over the farm and other areas around the Belmond community. He was also looking forward to Kyle and his girlfriend Samantha Dohndt giving him his first granddaughter later this month. He will be missed for all that he was and for his welcoming demeanor, friendly smile and the twinkle in his eyes.

Mark's legacy and memory will continue to burn brightly in the hearts and minds of his wife and life partner, Denise Bock, Belmond; his son Kyle and companion Samantha Dohndt, and son Nash Bock both of Belmond, and his daughter Kelsey Bock and special friend Derek Kindwall, of Ankeny/Belmond; his sisters and brothers, Sandy (Wayne) Roetman, Bethany, Mo., Tom (Dort) Bock, Mesa, Ariz., Marilyn Bock, Spencer, Kenny (Jacki) Bock, Belmond, Marcia (Bill) Naber, Spencer, Jeannie Pruitt and special friend Rick Campbell, Arcadia, Wis., Steve Bock, West Des Moines, Patty (Tim) Rouse, Ruthven, and Sue (Harlan) Schavey, Blue Earth, Minn.; also mother and father-in-law, Derald (Janet) Pals, Belmond, other extended family, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, a nephew Quentin Pals, and a niece Erin Schavey. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, Iowa.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
September 13, 2012