David A. Van Bockern

February 21, 1946 - November 5, 2012

Visitation: Visitation will be Thursday from 2 to 8:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton. Family will greet visitors from 6 to 8:00 p.m.

Service: Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Canton Lutheran Church, with burial at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Sioux Falls.  David A. Van Bockern, 66, formerly of Canton, died suddenly Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 at his home in Sioux Falls.  Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Canton Lutheran Church, with burial at Forest Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday from 2 to 8:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.  Family will greet visitors from 6 to 8:00 p.m.

David was born February 21, 1946 in Canton, SD to Leo and Chrystal (Miller) Van Bockern.  He attended school in Canton, graduating in 1964.  David attended a Vo/Tech school in Omaha.  He was married to LaRae Rollag and later to Sharla Sickler.  He had been employed at John Morrell & Co. and most recently at Sanford USD Medical Center, where he had worked in the maintenance department for over 20 years.  He loved his work and over the years he developed many friendships with coworkers and employees at Sanford.  David was an avid Chicago Bears and NASCAR fan and enjoyed accompanying his hunting friends.

          David is survived by four daughters- Darcy (Brian ) Olson, Rapid City, SD, Holli (Ron) Dohrer, Sioux Falls, SD, Aimee (Kelly) Finke, Crooks, SD, and Jessica Van Bockern (Brent Spanier), Belgrade, MN; six grand children; one great-granddaughter; and many other extended family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jim, and sister, Arlene.

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17 messages have been left

  1. Nikki Cox on November 6, 2012 said:

    My deepest sympathy to davids family. He was like a father to me. No words can express one’s loss but I wanted to let you know I am thinking and praying for your family. He will be missed!

  2. Brady Fritz on November 6, 2012 said:

    Thoughts and prayers Go out to family and friends. You will be missed!!

  3. Jeff Poppenga on November 6, 2012 said:

    My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Davy was one of my best friends and will be surly missed. Love ya buddy.

  4. Marcia Blume on November 7, 2012 said:

    I worked with David at Sanford, he was always there when we had a problem with our equipment. May God Bless His Memory.

  5. preston larson on November 7, 2012 said:

    he was a good uncle I didnt know david well but nothing ever bad i can remember the old twist up toys he had and he would wind them up just to show us what each one did thank youer for the memerys you will never be forgotten

  6. Amanda Mensing on November 7, 2012 said:

    My thoughts and prayers are with Dave’s family. Some of the gals at Sanford and I had just talked to him on Friday and he was very happy and upbeat..his passing comes as a shock to many. May he rest in peace.

  7. Gary and Ardell Kaubisch on November 7, 2012 said:

    Sending our thoughts and prayers to Dave’s family. What a shock his passing was to us. We have known Dave for a long time and Gary worked with him for many years at Sanford. He gave Gary the nickname “Lucky”. He had a way of making people laugh even when they didn’t feel like laughing. I will miss the stories that Gary would bring home from work about Dave. Most of all we will miss his smile and laughter. RIP Dave… you will be missed by your co-workers and friends.

  8. Kurt on November 7, 2012 said:

    Sorry for the loss.

  9. shelley larson on November 7, 2012 said:

    I love you David you were a great father and now you are with your heavenly father I will see you again shelley may

  10. Shelley Larson on November 7, 2012 said:

    I love you David you were a great father and no you are with you er heavenly father
    from
    Mark and Shelley May

  11. Wanda Bassett on November 8, 2012 said:

    My condolences to dave’s family-I work in surgery at Sanford and have know Dave for many years-Dave into our department many times to repair equipment and when you saw him -he always had a smile and a “hello” for you – His smile will be missed !

  12. Craig Sanderson on November 8, 2012 said:

    David and I were classmates in Canton’s class of 1964 and I was saddened to hear of his death. He was always nice to everyone and he will be missed. RIP my friend.

  13. Chantel Poppenga on November 9, 2012 said:

    My thoughts and prayers go out to Dave’s family. My husband and I both worked with Dave for many years at Sanford. He was the most upbeat guy and had a great personality. He always had a nickname for people and I will miss hearing him call me Channely. He sure will be missed by many people. RIP Dave…

  14. Lisa Graf on November 9, 2012 said:

    Thoughts and prayers to all of Dave’s family. He was an amazing man to work with. I enjoyed talking Nascar with him every week. He will be missed by a lot of people.

  15. Kent DeJong on November 9, 2012 said:

    I worked with Dave years ago at Sioux Valley right next door in biomed. He got along with everybody and had a nickname for everybody. He called me Whiskey because of a story I told one time and I will never forget it. God bless Dave and his family.

  16. Kreste Johnson on November 10, 2012 said:

    I didn’t find out about Dave passing until last night. I definately would have been there for the services. Loved Dave. He will be missed greatly.

  17. nick skinner on December 6, 2012 said:

    dear grandpa we all miss you its hard to think your not with us any more