Patricia Rock
September 9, 1932 — August 21, 2017
Patricia Lou O’Neill Rock was born during hard times on September 9, 1932 to Bernard O’Neill and Irma (Fletcher) O’Neill near Hancock, Iowa. She graduated from Avoca High School in Avoca, Iowa with the class of1950 where she played basketball, the clarinet, and was in the chorus.
In 1951, Patty was united in marriage to Herbie Rock at Chapel #4 on Camp Carson Army Base near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Patty worked as a secretary at Bell Telephone in Omaha, Nebraska, until Herb returned from Korea.
After his honorable discharge, Herb and Patty began farming south of Avoca. Patty rolled up her sleeves and hauled ear corn to their elevator. She also loved taking meals to the field to feed the crews.
Four children were born to the union and as they grew older, Patty started college at age 37, attending Iowa Western Community College, UNO, and Dana College. She graduated in 1975, proud to share that year of graduation with two of her children: Bill from High School and Eileen from Clarkson School of Nursing. She was very proud of her family's educational and leadership achievements.
As a teacher for many years, education was of paramount importance to Pat, secondary to athletics. She attended as many events as possible, cheering on the athletes she had prepared in grade school, feeling partially responsible for their success.
Tolerance and patience were virtues. Her great response to “how are you doing” was “Better Everyday!” This quote will be remembered by her family for a life time.
Patty loved young children, vacationing in Okoboji with her family and friends, quilting, reading and all AvoHa sports! She served on the Avoca Library Board and she and Herb were also named “AvoHa Fans of the Year.”
On August 21, 2017 Patty passed away at Avoca Care Initiatives having attained the age of eighty-four years, eleven months and twelve days. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Vernelle Kunde and Elizabeth “Betty” Neilsen.
Patty is survived by her husband of sixty-six years Herbert C. Rock of Avoca; children Dr. Eileen Rock (Dr. Thomas Stalder) of Brainard, Nebraska; Dr. Mary Rock (Tom Moore) of Hallam, Nebraska; Dr. Fred Rock of Omaha, Nebraska; Captain Bill Rock (Evelyn) of Crescent, Iowa; grandchildren: Brady Hess (Stacey) of Boone, Iowa; Jessica Hiatt (Richard) of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Tiarra Osentowski (Jared) of Lincoln, Nebraska; Billy Rock, Jr. (Nina) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Bennett Stalder (Dania Padilla) of Omaha; Christopher Rock (Megan) of Beebeetown, Iowa; Dave Stalder (Lindsay Meyer) of Lincoln; Dan Stalder (Macy McKendree) of Des Moines, Iowa; Jane Rock of New York City, NY; Catherine Rock of Lincoln, NE; Andy Moore of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Evenn Moore of Valdez, Alaska; great grandchildren: Caleb and Abigail Hiatt of Missouri Valley; Avari and Owen Osentowski of Lincoln; Christopher, Jr., Jackson and Addelyn Rock of Beebeetown; Hayden and Kendall Hess of Boone, Molly and Jack Moore of Colorado; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
In 1951, Patty was united in marriage to Herbie Rock at Chapel #4 on Camp Carson Army Base near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Patty worked as a secretary at Bell Telephone in Omaha, Nebraska, until Herb returned from Korea.
After his honorable discharge, Herb and Patty began farming south of Avoca. Patty rolled up her sleeves and hauled ear corn to their elevator. She also loved taking meals to the field to feed the crews.
Four children were born to the union and as they grew older, Patty started college at age 37, attending Iowa Western Community College, UNO, and Dana College. She graduated in 1975, proud to share that year of graduation with two of her children: Bill from High School and Eileen from Clarkson School of Nursing. She was very proud of her family's educational and leadership achievements.
As a teacher for many years, education was of paramount importance to Pat, secondary to athletics. She attended as many events as possible, cheering on the athletes she had prepared in grade school, feeling partially responsible for their success.
Tolerance and patience were virtues. Her great response to “how are you doing” was “Better Everyday!” This quote will be remembered by her family for a life time.
Patty loved young children, vacationing in Okoboji with her family and friends, quilting, reading and all AvoHa sports! She served on the Avoca Library Board and she and Herb were also named “AvoHa Fans of the Year.”
On August 21, 2017 Patty passed away at Avoca Care Initiatives having attained the age of eighty-four years, eleven months and twelve days. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Vernelle Kunde and Elizabeth “Betty” Neilsen.
Patty is survived by her husband of sixty-six years Herbert C. Rock of Avoca; children Dr. Eileen Rock (Dr. Thomas Stalder) of Brainard, Nebraska; Dr. Mary Rock (Tom Moore) of Hallam, Nebraska; Dr. Fred Rock of Omaha, Nebraska; Captain Bill Rock (Evelyn) of Crescent, Iowa; grandchildren: Brady Hess (Stacey) of Boone, Iowa; Jessica Hiatt (Richard) of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Tiarra Osentowski (Jared) of Lincoln, Nebraska; Billy Rock, Jr. (Nina) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Bennett Stalder (Dania Padilla) of Omaha; Christopher Rock (Megan) of Beebeetown, Iowa; Dave Stalder (Lindsay Meyer) of Lincoln; Dan Stalder (Macy McKendree) of Des Moines, Iowa; Jane Rock of New York City, NY; Catherine Rock of Lincoln, NE; Andy Moore of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Evenn Moore of Valdez, Alaska; great grandchildren: Caleb and Abigail Hiatt of Missouri Valley; Avari and Owen Osentowski of Lincoln; Christopher, Jr., Jackson and Addelyn Rock of Beebeetown; Hayden and Kendall Hess of Boone, Molly and Jack Moore of Colorado; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
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