Service: Memorial Service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses located at 4900 W. 49th St., Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday, November 1st, 2025 at 1 pm.
Livestream: Click here
Jesse Jordan Van Bockern, 36, passed away peacefully as the day came to a close on Thursday, October 23, 2025. He spent his final moments surrounded by the love of family and friends. As one of his beloved nephews kindly reassured him, he may have lost his battle with cancer, but he won the race for life.
Born October 28, 1988, Jesse grew up in a home filled with love and laughter on an acreage just outside of Hartford, SD. The fifth of six children, his tender heart, well-timed humor, and silly nature always warmed his family’s spirits. Never speaking an unkind word and always looking for the good in others, Jesse was easy to love.
From a young age, Jesse showed his strong intellect. Teaching himself to read, strategize, and excel at every type of game, his friends and family always had to work hard for that rare win. Yet, Jesse never drew attention to himself or his accomplishments. Displaying humility in all he did, outsiders may not have realized just how extraordinary he was.
Jesse enjoyed learning and was often recognized for his hard work. He got his start alongside his father working on vehicles in the family business. Jesse was also a long-time beloved employee at Midwest Factory Finishes until his diagnosis in 2019. Later, working at Amazon, he enjoyed problem-solving to keep things running as smoothly as possible.
Jesse was a kind-hearted and selfless man known to all for his generosity and warmth, always putting the needs of those around him before his own. He found joy in simple moments — whether gathering with his close friends for a night of video games and snacks, or spending time with the family he loved so deeply. His nephews and nieces held a special place in his heart, and he cherished every memory made with them.
Jesse faced life’s challenges with quiet strength and determination. After his brain cancer diagnosis in 2019, he fought valiantly and celebrated six incredible years in remission. During that time, he embraced life with renewed purpose — becoming an avid runner and rock climber, constantly striving to push himself to new limits of personal growth and achievement. Through his trial Jesse deepened his faith in Jehovah God and always tried to live his life in a way that brought honor to his heavenly father’s name. Jesse gained strength from his firm belief in the Bible’s promise of a resurrection and looked forward to exploring a paradise earth with a body restored to perfect health. Then he will enjoy his hobbies to the fullest, climbing every mountain, running every path, cultivating his own garden, and probably still beating us all at every game.
Jesse will be remembered for his unwavering kindness, his adventurous spirit, and the light he brought into every life he touched. All who met Jesse walked away a better person for having known him.
His family, parents Stuart and Karen Van Bockern, siblings Christopher Knauer, Joshua (Jennifer) Knauer, April (R.J.) Stone, Brittany Muniz, and Mikayla (Trevor) Matthies, nephews and nieces Nolan and Dylan Muniz, and Finn, Iris, and Willow Knauer, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends will be among many who joyfully welcome him back in the real life to come.
Also, dearly missed and not forgotten are those who came before, who we all long to see again. Jesse was preceded in death by his grandparents Donald and Joan (Grimm) Van Bockern, John and Matilda (Mattie Roskam) Knauer, and Uncles Charles (Chuck) Van Bockern and Brian Jager along with Allison Bott.
Memorial Service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 4900 W. 49th St., Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday, November 1st, 2025 at 1 pm. For those who cannot attend in-person, a Zoom tie-in has been arranged. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83993415858 Passcode: 949267
Jesse was a blessed man to have come from a large tight family. Knowing that he was a baptized man, gave him an ever larger family. I know that everyone who knew him, will be missing him until the day of his resurrection. I personally know the sting of death all too well. I find myself remembering that Jehovah is the Great Timekeeper, and he knows just when to bring each one back to life. He longs to see them happy, healthy and full of energy and life. He also longs to hear their prayers again. He misses them, too. Your Jesse’s life was cut way too short. Yet, life will soon be his forever. I am so sorry you have to feel the way you do right now. Take your time praying to Jehovah. It’s ok to cry. It’s an expression of love and loss. Accept hugs and well wishes from others, it’s how we know Jehovah cares. It’s about how we treat each other. Please accept my condolences. Though I didn’t know Jesse, I know he was my Christian Brother, and I know I’ll meet him one day. Sending love to all of his family members, Sister Linda Koskela (serving in Yucatan, Mexico)
We are sorry for your loss. We look forward to meeting Jesse in the new system. Our love and prayers are with you all.
We met Jesse right before our grand opening of EightyOne Arcade in Harrisburg in 2017. He loved our arcade and we loved having him. We were so impressed by his kindness, sincere personality, and extremely high skill in video games. He remains the best player of Monkey Ball in all of Sioux Falls by a wide margin. Rest peacefully, friend.
Our deepest love to the family.
We want to send all of you love and tell you how special you are in your love, support and care for Jesse. Every day now is one closer to when he wakes up on his best day ever and your hearts are all complete again. You are all in our thoughts and prayers, and we are so sorry for your terrible loss. Sending big hugs all around.
Jesse had the type of kindness that left a lasting impact. I have many fond memories of him as a big brother that I got to annoy while spending time with the family. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Much love to all of his family during this time.