Rod Docken

Rod Docken

Rod Docken 89 passed away before dawn on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Maplewood of Sauk Prairie as a result of the onset of dementia and pneumonia.

Born October 22, 1927 to Nels and Helen Docken of rural Mt. Horeb, he attended the one-room Malone School and went on to Mt. Horeb High School graduating in 1945.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps and took boot camp at Paris Island, SC. He served for 10 months but the Marine Corps decided they weren’t getting enough service from the two year enlistments so he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Madison and after a time the Korean war started and he was drafted into the Army and took basic training at Ft. Knox, sent overseas and was assigned to Japan and was stationed at Etajima where he was a Remington Raider (typist). After serving two years, he returned to Madison and worked at Ray-O-Vac where he met his future wife, Marie Floerke. They were married on October 17, 1953 in Platteville. They had two children Brian and Leis. He went to work as a salesman in the packaging industry working for Schwarz Paper, Strauss Paper, Rexford Paper Co., St. Regis Paper Co., Packaging Specialties in Milwaukee and then onto Piedmont National in Georgia. After working for several companies as a travelling sales rep, he decided to start his own company in Florida as an independent agent selling packaging machinery for Matrix Packaging Machinery. That was his best career move. He and Marie built a home in Tallahassee lived there for five years and then moved to Apollo Beach, FL where they resided for 16 years. In October of 2000, his wife Marie suffered a massive stroke which left her in need of 24 hour nursing care. So to be closer to family and friends he moved Marie to Maplewood in Sauk City and shortly thereafter he relocated there as well. He retired and spent every day visiting her in the nursing home. Marie passed away in 2006.

Rod loved boating and taking friends and family out in the boat for a day of fishing. Rod always had a cold beer for anyone who came to visit, and enjoyed entertaining guests whether at the kitchen counter, back yard deck, or out on the boat. Cheers to you Dad! He was so proud of his family and took great pride in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. We are honored to have had him as our Pack Leader. The emptiness of not having him with us is overwhelming. Dad taught us the value of family and friends, love and respect, and instilled in us a tremendous work ethic. He was a great judge of character.

Rod is survived by his son Brian (Mia) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, daughter Leis (Dave Fosshage) of Sauk City, two grandchildren Shannon (Jay Ripp), Jennifer Wickham, three great grandchildren Connor and Kayla Wickham, and Lucas Ripp, step grandsons Paul (Amber) Fosshage, Nathan Fosshage, step grandchildren, Serenity, Noah, Skyler, and Gianna Fosshage, sister Connie Garfoot, brother-in-law Bob (MaryAnn) Floerke, sister-in-law Mercille Floerke, brother-in-law Arlan Lewis, sister-in-law Donna Pauls, step brother Larry (Barb) Freidig, step brother-in-law Richard (Darlene) Boosted, and several nieces and nephews, and so many friends he valued along the way. He was proceeded in death by his parents Nels and Helen Docken, his wife Marie, brothers Lowell and Mark, sister Nyla, great granddaughter Alexis Ripp, sister-in-law Karen Lewis, brother-in-law Ernest Floerke, and sister-in-law Arlene Conkey, brother-in-law Robert Conkey, step father Fred Freidig, step father-in-law Rudy Boosted and so many close friends that meant the world to him.

The family expresses their sincere gratitude to the staff of Maplewood for their care and compassion they gave to Dad during his yearlong stay. Special thanks to Joy, Bree, Wendy, Laura, Taliyah, and Wyatt. Also to Dr. Koch and Gretchen Considine of Prairie Clinic for their care of Dad over the years.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring of this year.

 

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Condolences

  1. Todd pauls says:

    I’m sorry for your loss. Please let me know when you have the memorial. I want to see you guys