"Dear Family of Annette Kockler, I knew her as Miss Becker. She was my first grade teacher in Ledyard. She taught me how to count. I use it every work day, since becoming an OR nurse. Basic counting of 1-5 or 1-10 etc for sponges, needles, and to instruments. We visited 5 to 7 years ago in Bancroft. She later sent me a photo album of her time at Ledyard. She said it would be something her children would not have to deal with. I appreciate my first grade teacher. Thank you, Miss Becker! Eugenia Klocke Squier, Scottsdale, Az"
In loving memory of
Annette M. Kockler
December 3, 1933 - November 14, 2017
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 10:30 AM at St. John's Catholic Church, Bancroft. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM on Wednesday at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Bancroft with a rosary beginning at 4 PM and a Scripture Prayer Service beginning at 7 PM.
Annette M. Kockler, born December 3, 1933, daughter of Jake and Alice (Phillips) Becker, on the same farm place as her father. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School until her family moved to their farm west of Bancroft, where she graduated from St. John's Catholic High School in 1950. She then obtained her teaching certificate in Estherville, and taught elementary school at Ledyard and then at Bancroft Public School.
Meeting George Kockler during this time, they dated for several months, became engaged (then purchasing the current home south of the Convent), and married in June of 1957. It was of this union that Kathryn, Jeanne, Susanne, Thomas, Carol, and Anthony became the center of Annette's life, staying at home to take care of her family (although she later worked outside the home at Head Start, Elsbecker Construction, and Welp's Pharmacy). Annette was always busy with her hands, not only by providing for her family with sewing her children's clothes, cooking awesome fried chicken, or cultivating a family garden; but also with creating gifts like needlepoint crafts, paintings of natural scenes and homemade Halloween, Easter, and Thanksgiving cards (always with a Christian theme, exemplifying and teaching her "mustard seed-sized faith) for her grandchildren; these youngsters were all literally the "apple of her eye".
Annette Kockler died Tuesday, November 14, 2017, surrounded by her children under the care of Hospice of the Heartland. She was 83.
Left to cherish her memory are her six children, daughter Kathryn Studer and husband Daniel of Titonka and their children Danielle and Shane Hill (Timothy and Emily), Amie Studer (Jerrit and Gracie), David and Megan Studer, (Jack), Katie and James Prothman, Alyssa and Steven Berkland, Krista and Cameron Giddings, (George and newborn, Henry) and Anne Studer; daughter Jeanne Rippentrop and husband Brian of Woden and their children Anthony and Christopher; daughter Susanne Wesselmann and husband Jim of Remsen and their children Jason (fiancé Amanda Mancuso), Sara (Danny) Harpenau, Michael, Matthew (special friend, Lyndsie Schorg), and Jacob Wesselmann; son Tom Kockler and wife Sheila of Remsen and their children Holly (fiancé Chris Lensing), Tanner (special friend Margo), and Joe Kockler; daughter Carol Lowe and husband Jeff of Bellevue, NE, and their children, Brian (special friend Mandy Rose), Lauren (fiancé Jared Devore), and Marissa & Kaiden Lowe; and son Tony Kockler and wife Ann of Clear Lake and their children Amanda (Josh Reuter), Andy, Jacob and Jared Kockler. She is also survived by a sister, Ruth Ann (Eugene) Elsbecker and all her family members; and sister-in-law Jackie Becker and her family as well.
Preceding Annette in death was her husband, George on June 3, 2011; her parents Alice and James Becker; brother, Marvin Becker; and two angels lost in pregnancy.
Tributes
"I am saddened to hear about the loss of your mother; I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. God May God bless each of you and wrap you in His love. You have my sympathy and prayers. "
"Deepest sympathy to Annette's children and families and to Ruth special thoughts and prayers. Mary Hayden"
"Condolences to the entire Kockler family on the passing of your dear loved one"
"So sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was such a sweetheart who always wore a smile. Our families had a lot of good times that leave me with Great memories of your mom and your family. Treasure the great memories you have to get through this difficult time. Each one of you are in my thoughts and prayers with love. Blessings!"
"My thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with entire Kockler family. May God Bless you and comfort you!"
"Our prayers for all the Kockler family. May Annette rest in peace .
Kenny & Mary Ann Studer
"
"No words can heal the loss. Loved the video tribute, what a special lady she was....I always remember her a bit serious, a bit humorous...But like many from Bancroft during the past 60 years, raised large families with lots of love and a steadfast faith. And the tribute to all the family she will live on through ...May her memories bring you strength to go on and her smile light the way ahead. "
"May God bless you all as you sort through the wonderful loving memories and mourn your loss. Annette was such a kind and wonderful person, and now our Lord has welcomed her back home. "
"Heaven has gained a wonderful and kind woman. It was an honor and a pleasure to have the opportunity to have known Mrs. Kockler. Kathy, Katie, and Kockler Family my deepest sympathies. May God keep you close in your time of sorrow and may he ease the pain and let the love and memories shine through."
"We grandchildren will always remember your house and how welcomed and loved we were. Please pray for us from heaven. "
"To all of the Kockler Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May all the wonderful memories get you through the tough days ahead. We remember many days spent at the Kockler house growing up. Annette ALWAYS had a smile on her face and welcomed us with open arms. She will be missed. God Bless. Kevin and Judy Welp"
"So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. May your many memories bring you comfort. God bless you all"
"Sosorry to hear of the loss of your mom , Annette, She was a dear friend in my Bancroft days. Will certainly remember her in prayers. God will bless her., Rita Fox"
"Kathy, Jeannie, Suzanne, Carol, Tom and Tony and families We are so sorry for your loss and this last month has been a difficult one but being with Mom in her final days is a treasure no one can take away from any of you, remember all the good times and smile, laugh and shed a few tears. She was so proud of all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and now she is in her forever home with George, the place she wanted to be. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days, weeks and months. Our son was blessed with a wonderful mother in law. God bless all of you"
"I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the whole Kocker family. We know how much you will miss your mom, she was such wonderful mother and friend. I will miss picking her up for supper every now and then and having a good evening of catching up with her. She was so very proud of all of you and I truly enjoyed listening to her stories about all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She has influenced me in so many ways just from working with her for so long and being a true friend. My prayers are with all of you. John and Sheila Bartolo "