GIFFORD - Christian Johann Rocker, 104, of Gifford went to be with the Lord on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Country Health Care and Rehab, Gifford.
Chris was born June 1, 1919, near Gifford to A. Henry and Grace (Schluter) Rocker. He was baptized and confirmed at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Gifford, where he was a lifelong member and later served on the church board. He married Anna L Osterbur on Aug. 11, 1940, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. They spent their entire lives on the farm working the land in the Penfield and Gifford areas and raising farm animals.
Dad was born during the Spanish flu pandemic and lived to have COVID-19 and survived that. He lived during the Great Depression and saw poverty, especially in others who came to their farm just to have something to eat and to sleep in the barn. When he was 12, his father said he was old enough to farm, and so with a harrow and a team of horses, he farmed the land. When he was ready for a car, he trapped along the local ditches and earned enough to buy a Model A. Going to church and reading the Bible was an important part of their lives.
He was predeceased by his parents; an infant sister, Anna Catherine; a grandson, Anthony Baker; a granddaughter, Amy (Mike) Zinchuk; and our Mom on March 27, 2002.
He is survived by five children, Eileen (Kenny) Owens of Howard, Colo., Leon Rocker of Gifford, Pauline (Mike) Clements of St. Joseph, Lois Forster of Washington, D.C., and Patricia (Terry) Evans of Mahomet; five grandchildren, Neil (Diane) Baker, Julie Baker, Gabriel (Carrie) Clements, Tina (Kyle) Smith and Marc (Angie) Evans; 14 great-grandchildren, Nicole (Darren) Suits, Christopher (Jessi) Baker, Katie (Mike) Reid, Elizabeth (Josh) Stultz, Ethan and Matthew Zinchuk, Payton and Rylee Clements, Brayden, Dylan, Nolan, Corbin and Jensen Smith, and Jianna Evans; 10 great-great-grandchildren, Leo, Lucas, Albie and Dash Suits, Eli and Raleigh Baker, and Kaleb, Everly, Ollie and Isla Reid.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 108 E. Church St., Gifford. The Rev. Scot Guhl will officiate. Chris will be buried alongside his wife in Huls Cemetery, Gifford. Visitation will be for one prior to the service at St. Paul's.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul's or Free Lutheran Bible College and Seminary, 3134 E. Medicine Lake Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55441.
Lux Memorial Chapel in Rantoul is handling arrangements.
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