Gordon Ernest Bock

Gordon Ernest Bock was born on March 13, 1929, to Ernest and Martha (Zabel) Bock in Tracy, Minnesota. Gordon grew up on a farm east of Balaton, Minnesota, attending county school and later graduating high school from Balaton. He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Balaton. Upon graduating high school, Gordon continued his education at the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in mechanical engineering. On August 23, 1973, Gordon was united in marriage to the love of his life, Joyce Keifer, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The couple started their life together in Portland, Oregon. During their time in Portland, Gordon worked as a sawmill equipment engineer and designed and built saw milling equipment worldwide and traveled to those countries to teach them how to use it.

Gordon was a member of Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler, Minnesota. The couple had recently moved back to Tyler to be closer to family. During their time in Portland, Gordon was an active member of the church council. Gordon rarely sat still – he was always on the move. Whether he was gardening, golfing, skiing, fishing salmon on the Columbia River, playing tennis until he was 91, and had recently taken an interest in learning how to play pickleball. Gordon and Joyce were avid pilots. They loved traveling the world together, experiencing other cultures and visiting every continent. On Sunday, July 14, 2024, Gordon passed away peacefully at Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 95 years, four months and one day. Gordon’s free spirit will be deeply missed by those who knew him.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Joyce Bock; and sisters-in-law, Darlene Schultz, Darlyn Keifer, and Karen Keifer and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Martha; his brothers Don and Robert Bock; sister Lois Bock Hove; in-laws Hollie and Emma Keifer; and his brothers-in-law Ferd, Wayne and Dennis Keifer, sister-in-law Thelma Johnson.

Blessed be his memory.