Ethel Mae Bockelmann

Ethel Mae Bockelmann was born on January 3, 1924, the daughter of Peter John and Alete (Rye) Laumbach in Mapleton, Iowa. She was baptized on July 31, 1924, and later confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute. She graduated from Ute High School. Following her education, she worked for the variety store in Denison.

On August 24, 1946, she was united in marriage to William D. Bocklemann Jr. in Powhatten, Kansas, and the couple first made their home in the Charter Oak area. They were blessed with the birth of four children. Later they moved to Battle Creek, Iowa. Ethel helped with billing for the telephone company that William worked for. She also stayed busy caring for her children. She was an active mother who was always willing to help her kids with their activities. She was also a den mother for Cub Scouts. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play in their various sports. Ethel and William enjoyed spending their winters in Tropic Star Park in Pharr, Texas for 20 years.

Ethel was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison. She was active in the St. John and St. Paul Lutheran churches ladies' aid and the Battle Creek American Legion Auxiliary for over 60 years.

Ethel passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 98 years, nine months and six days.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, William "Pete" D. Bockelmann Jr. in 2009; brother, Lyle Laumbach; and great-grandson, Daryl Zobel. She is survived by her daughter: Chrystal (Allen) Zobel of Audubon; three sons: Eugene (Linda) Bockelmann of Fort Dodge, Richard (Cheryl) Bockelmann of Denison, and Mark Bockelmann of Denison; seven grandchildren: Teri (Dan) Olson of Des Moines, Andrew (Melinda) Zobel of Bronson, Alicia (Christian) Beckendorf of
Ankeny, Dana (Tony) Recker of Fort Dodge, Linsey Albright of Harcourt, Adam (Candace) Bockelmann of San Antonio, Texas, Brandon (Lindsey) Bockelmann of Ankeny; nineteen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison. The graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Clair Cemetery in Ute. Memorials may be directed to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison.