Georgia Van Bockel

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Georgia Jean Van Bockel, 76, of Gettysburg, passed away Friday, September 11, 2015, at the Avera Oahe Manor in Gettysburg.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at Grace Bible Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Scott Crook officiating. Burial followed in the Gettysburg Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 14, 2015, with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

Georgia Jean Van Bockel was born July 11, 1939, on the farm north of Highmore to John K. and Hannah (Elfrink) Millar. She attended Copp School and graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1957. On May 12, 1959, Georgia married Raymond Van Bockel. Soon after, Georgia and Raymond moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where she attended secretary school. She worked for two and a half years as a secretary for The Government Communication Center.

After Raymond was discharged from the Army, they made their home on a ranch north of Highmore for 40 years. Georgia helped with fencing, putting up hay, and working with livestock. In her free time, she also enjoyed fishing, bird watching, working in her flower garden, and playing the piano and guitar.

Georgia made her commitment to Christ in April of 1964. After that, Georgia was very active in young people’s lives, and she taught Sunday school for several years. She was a member of the American Sunday School Union from 1962-1973. She also worked at Victory Center Bible Camp, and in 1973, she joined Grace Bible Church. There she continued to teach Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Georgia’s life will be cherished by her husband, Ray Van Bockel, Sr. of Gettysburg; her son, Ray (Dianne) Van Bockel, Jr. of Gettysburg; two granddaughters, Valerie (Tom) Pryor of Lincoln, NE, and Vanesa (Peter) Hall of Gettysburg; three great-grandchildren: Harper Georgia and Camden Pryor of Lincoln, NE, and Henry Robert Hall of Gettysburg; two sisters, June Bentz of Miller and Marlene Natchke of Newcastle, WY; one brother, Ellis (Patty) Millar of Hysham, MT; nephews: Leo Roseland, David, Paul, Mark, Neil, and Eli Natchke, and Jess, Jon, and Jim Millar; and nieces: Cheryl Blennert, Janelle Roseland, Joy Manning, and Vonnie Robinson.

Georgia was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lula Elizabeth; brothers-in-law: Neil Roseland, Robert Natchke, and Edgar Bentz; and great-nephews: H. Scott Roseland and Josh Natchke.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Georgia’s arrangements.