Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM, Monday, June 25, 2018 at St. John's Catholic Church in Wagner. Burial is in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner, with military honors. Visitation will be Sunday, June 24 at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner from 2 to 5 PM, with family present from 2 to 3 PM. Rosary/Wake services will be 7 PM Sunday, June 24 , at the church.

Deacon Albert J. Kocer was born July 10, 1930 at home on a farm southwest of Dante, SD. He died June 12, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Center, Wagner, SD where he lived the last four years of his life.

Albert attended country school through the eighth grade and later received his General Education Diploma at Marty, SD. He continued his education taking college courses through Mount Marty College and The University of South Dakota, Springfield.

Albert was drafted into the United States Marine Corps in 1951 and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953.

On May 2, 1955 Albert married Rita A. Gau and God blessed them with three daughters, Debra Katherine, Karen Marie, and Kristina Anne. Albert and Rita farmed south of Wagner for sixteen years. In 1969, they sold their farm and Albert started Kocer's Used Tractor Parts in Wagner. Before he retired, Albert ran his own radiator repair shop and became noted for his expertise in the field, attracting business from many states.

In 1974 Albert was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives, serving for 18 consecutive years. He had the honor of representing the counties of Bon Homme, Buffalo, Brule, Charles Mix, and a portion of Douglas. During his legislative career, he served on appropriations, health and welfare, and taxation committees. He was also known for building beautiful floats, as he participated in many celebrations and parades throughout his district.

Albert and his wife, Rita were team leaders for World Wide Marriage Encounter in South Dakota for ten years. During this time, they also became members of the first class of candidates for the permanent Deaconate Program in the Sioux Falls Diocese. Albert was ordained Deacon on January 21, 1984 by Bishop Paul Dudley. After his ordination, Bishop Dudley assigned Albert to serve the parishes of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wagner and The Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary in Dante, SD. His ministries included taking communion to the sick, supporting individuals and families in the community, serving as Deacon for weekend masses and also Deacon of the word on the last Sunday of each month. Albert officiated many baptisms, marriages, funerals and wakes for both parishes.

Albert was an active member of many organizations including the American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, Civil Defense, Czech KD, Knights of Columbus, Mount Marty College Board of Trustees, Labor Day Committee, and Rotary International. He was also a van driver for the Wagner Good Samaritan Center. In 2002, Albert was chosen Wagner Citizen of the Year. He was recognized for his many contributions to his church, community, and state.

Albert also earned his private pilot license under the supervision of Crisman Aviation. He enjoyed flying with his brother Romaine Kocer.

Albert became ill in 2012 and his health declined. On December 26, 2013, he was admitted to the Wagner Good Samaritan Center.
Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Clara Kocer; in-laws Arnie and Eva Gau;
brother Thomas Kocer; brothers-in-law Rev. Guy Gau, Cletus Gau, and Francis Gau; sisters-in-law Helen Kocer and Delores Beckwith; grandson Darron Luhrsen; infant great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Thankful for sharing his life are Rita, his wife of 63 years; daughters Debbie (Harold, Jr.) Buck of Hillsboro, Oregon, Karen (Steve) Suerth of Buffalo, Minnesota, and Kristi (Scott) Hansen of Centerville, South Dakota; seven grandchildren, Travis Buck (Abigail Spyker), Stephanie Slater (Gabe), Danielle Barth (Cory), Brian Hansen (Natalie), Darron Luhrsen, Kelly Suerth, Margaret Blomberg (Ben), and Trevor Buck (Melynda); and 11 great grandchildren, Jaydon Barth, Alexys Barth, Sadie Slater, Chance Luhrsen, Troy Buck, Sienna Slater, Emma Blomberg, Owen Spyker, Jennaveve Buck, Elise Buck, and Rowan Hansen; brother Romaine Kocer of Wagner, South Dakota; sister Mary Ann (Kenneth) Loxtercamp of Waconia, Minnesota; sister-in-law Karol Kocer of Wagner, South Dakota; brother-in-law Robert Dvorak of Wagner, South Dakota; and many relatives and friends.