William "Bill" I. Mock

William Mock, 83, of Montrose, Colorado and formerly of Clarion, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2015 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bill Mock will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, June 1, 2015, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 608 2nd Avenue North East in Clarion, with Father Jerry Blake officiating.  Burial will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion, with a Rosary Service beginning at 6:00 PM and Scriptural Wake Service beginning at 7:30 PM.

William “Bill” Irving Mock was born March 18, 1932 in Madison, South Dakota to Hugo and Bernice (Seid) Mock.  He was raised and educated in that area, graduating from Brookings High School in Brookings, South Dakota with the class of 1951.

During his high school career, Bill worked for a local florist, and continued on with them for a time before working for National 5, 10 and Dollar in Madison.  He moved with the company to Minneapolis before being transferred to Clarion in 1954.  He later worked for Weitmon’s flower shop and on his own before becoming a custodian at Belmond Middle School in 1964.  In 1966, during the Belmond tornado, Bill helped the students to the basement for shelter and led them in The Lord’s Prayer.  Upon his retirement in 1994, Bill continued to help local florists.

Bill was united in marriage to Margaret Louise Pick at St. John’s Catholic Church on July 25, 1955.  The couple made their home in Clarion and raised their daughter, Ramona.  In 2010, Bill and Louise moved to Fremont, Nebraska to be closer to Ramona, and later to Montrose, Colorado with Ramona and her family.  Bill and Louise were voted Valentine King and Queen at the Fremont Friendship Center in 2014.

Bill was a longtime member of St. John’s Catholic Church.  He was active in choir and as a song leader.  When the church guitar choir was organized, a contest was held to name the group.  Bill’s suggestion of Te Deum Singers was chosen.  He also prepared church floral decorations for holidays for many years.  He researched and compiled a history of the parish for it’s centennial celebration.

Bill enjoyed reading, antiques, baking, cooking and decorating for holidays.  He was a history buff, having volunteered at the Heartland Museum in Clarion and Jenison Mechem Museum in Belmond.  He was a member of the Clarion Historical Society and the Wright County Historical Society.  Bill assisted with the E.S.L. program in Clarion.  Any time there was an opportunity to teach students about Wright County history, Bill was always willing to present or demonstrate or otherwise involve the students.

Bill was a loving father and husband, and was Louise’s caretaker following her illness up until the time of his injury on Easter Sunday this year.  He was stoic, tough, and quietly defeated pancreatic cancer 8 years ago.  Most of all, Bill will be remembered as a wonderful, helpful and caring person, always willing to lend a hand.

Bill is survived by his wife, Louise Mock of Montrose, Colorado; daughter Ramona (Vincent) Laboy of Montrose, Colorado, their children Stephan of Lincoln, Nebraska and Maria of Kearney, Nebraska; step-son Douglas (Barbara) Benson of Fort Dodge, their children Brian (Kelly) Benson and children Jacob and Karli and Mark Benson and daughter Emily; brother Robert (Marlene) Mock of Brookings, South Dakota and their family; sister-in-law Mary Jean (Bob) Hocraffer and their family of Clarion; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Ricky Mock.