Norbert F. Blocker
January 20, 1926 ~ September 4, 2013
Norbert Blocker, age 87, of Ionia, IA passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. Norbert Francis Blocker was born on January 20, 1926 to Raymond and Elizabeth (Zeien) Blocker in New Hampton, IA. He attended country school through the eighth grade. Norbert farmed with his father and worked as a farmhand for various farmers throughout the area. He entered the US Army in 1944, serving in the Pacific Theatre. After his honorable discharge in 1946, Norbert worked at Oliver in Charles City and farmed the family farm northwest of North Washington. Norbert was united in marriage to Alice Nosbisch on November 25, 1947 at Immaculate Conception Church in North Washington. The couple farmed until 1984 when they retired and moved to Ionia. He also did carpentry work and furniture refinishing. Norbert built the couple’s retirement home in Ionia with help from family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, woodworking and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Norbert was a member of St. Boniface Church in Ionia, Catholic Order of Forresters and the American Legion. Norbert is survived by his sons, Roger (Marlene) Blocker of Hampshire, IL and Dale (Shari) Blocker of Ionia; his daughters Diane Blocker and Sharon (John) Gordon, both of Des Moines, IA; his five grandchildren, Jason and Sara Gordon, Scott and Ryan Blocker and Missy Hackman; one brother, Virgil (Joan) Blocker of Dubuque, IA; his great-grandchildren, Mya, Max, Liam, Olivia, Logan, Madelyn and Sierra; as well as two nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Alice in 2003.
Cemetery:
Burial will follow the funeral mass at St. Boniface Cemetery in Ionia. Military rites will be provided by the New Hampton American Legion Post #38 and the New Hampton VFW Post #5238.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00pm on Friday, September 6, 2013 at Ionia Funeral Home with a 4:30pm Rosary and a 7:30pm Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue at the funeral home one hour prior to the funeral mass on Saturday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Norbert at 10:30am on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia with Father Mark Osterhaus celebrating the mass.
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My sympathy to the Blocker family. Norb used to come quite often to visit my dad when he was in the nursing home, and my dad really enjoyed those visits. Losing a parent is difficult–I know. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Linda (Zeien) Schmickle
We are so shocked and saddened by Norb’s passing. As I biked by Monday morning I thought to myself, Jim and I should call Butch and Madonna and come and play cards with Norb. Why, I didn’t? I don’t know. The last visit we had with Norb, we enjoyed so much…we talked quite a long time, but Norb didn’t want us to leave. We express our deepest sympathy to all family members, may he rest in peace!
Jim and Ethel Steven
Dear Blocker Family,
I just got an email yesterday about your Dad’s passing. I am unable to be there for the funeral tomorrow. My sincerest sympathy. I have fond memories of our many card games and times with your Dad. May great memories be your comfort at this time.
Love,
Jane Jenn Mumm
My deepest sympathies to all the family. He will truly be missed. I always looked forward to visiting and playing cards when I came out that way. And his woodwork was remarkable.
My sympathy to Norbert’s family and friends. I pray peace for you, knowing that in God’s care he is receiving better things than we could ask or imagine.
He and I were cousins (my dad, George was his mom’s youngest sibling), though we were a generation apart in age. I have fond memories of visits to his parents on the family farm as a young child, and recall many pleasant visits with his mother, my Aunt Lizzie after she moved to NH.
Our deepest sympathies go out to you at this difficult time. I enjoyed getting to know Norb at the bank and visiting with him at church. He always had woodworking tips or fishing stories to share. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE BLOCKER FAMILY AT THE LOSS OF THERE LOVED ONE NORBERT. DALE AND SHERI WE HAVE A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR YOU TWO.GOD BLESS YOU ALL
DAVE & MARGE MAYO
1080 KELLY DR.
NASHVILLE N.C. 27856
Roger, Diane, Sharon, and Dale and families, Know that you are all in my prayers as you go through this sad and difficult time. It isn’t easy, but keep the memories alive and he will be with you always. Godspeed!
So sorry for your loss. Norbert was a good man. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dale and Shari–I was sadden to hear about your fathers passing. I will miss our visits whenever we saw each other up town. He was a kind and talented man Glad to have known him. I will think of him whenever I dust all the furniture he brought to life for me. Judy Tierney
Please accept our deepest sympathy. We hope with the passage of time will help ease your sadness and leave you with fond memories to cherish close to your hearts.
( Isaiah 25:8)
Our sympathies go out to you all. He will be missed in presence but will stay in your hearts and minds. May he now rest with God.
I am so sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed stopping in and talking to Norb. He was awesome. I will always treasure the things he made for me and the refinishing he did on all my chairs and tables.
My mom saw the obituary in the Waterloo Courier. First we want to express our condolences to all of you. My mom is Bettye Blocker Wester. She is the daughter of the late Herman Blocker. She is wanting to find out if possibly Norbert could have been related to our branch of the Blocker family. Our family came from Germany and settled in Tama Co. Iowa. The Blocker farm was torn down last year. The Oneida Cemetery just outside of Clutier is on land donated by the Blocker family. Please contact me at pedroley@netins.net this would be greatly appreciated. Again our sympathy to your family.
Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. This is one of the most difficult things we must face in our life. May it comfort you to know that others are deeply touched by your loss. God assures us at Psalms 34:18 that he is near to those broken in heart and those crushed in spirit he saves. Jesus also promises that we will be able to see our loved ones again. Jesus own words found at John 5:28,29 tells us there will be a resurrection. What a wonderful hope! God says that soon on the earth there will be no more pain, suffering and especially death at Revelation 21:3-5 We anxiously await the day when we will no longer lose those we love. May these bible thoughts bring you comfort at this most difficult time.