Fred D. Kocer, 83, of Pickstown

Fred died Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, February 9, 2017 at St. John Catholic Church in Wagner. Burial is in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner, with Military Honors. Visitation will be Wednesday from 12 to 5 at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner. Rosary/Wake services will be at 7 PM Wednesday at the church.

Fred David Kocer was born January 4, 1934 to Frank and Rose (Soukup) Kocer at the home farm, south of Wagner, SD. He passed into God's Loving Arms on February 4, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner. Fred was 83 years and one month of age.

At the age of five, he began his education at the St. Winceslaus Catholic School in Tabor. After three years, he returned to Wagner to finish his education through the eighth grade. While in grade school, out of necessity, he learned to hunt rabbits and squirrels, which began his love of hunting. After eighth grade he helped his dad on the farm until he was drafted into the Army in 1954. He returned in the Spring of 1956 and married Alice Schoch on June 25, 1956. They farmed south of Wagner, where they raised their five children.

In the early 70's, Fred and Alice managed the Randall Hills Country Club for many years, while also continuing to farm. After they retired, they moved to their home in Pickstown, where he would be close to the river and fish as often as he pleased. Alice passed away August 27, 2003.

On February 10, 2005, Fred married Pat Kinner at St. John Catholic Church in Wagner. They lived in Pickstown at the time his passing.

Fred's faith was the center of his life and he prayed the rosary daily. His favorite place to pray the rosary was in his pickup by the river. Fred was a member of St. John Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was also a life time member of the American Legion Greer Post.

Fred had a passion of gardening, but his real passion was hunting and fishing while spending time with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed cooking, especially his famous whole hog BBQ and pitchfork steaks. During the Fall deer season, you would know where Fred was by his pickup with the deer horns and tail. He enjoyed coffee time with friends at Abby's at the round table.

Fred's blue eyes, his ever quick wit, and that always smiling face will be deeply missed by everyone, especially his loving wife Pat; his children: Kathy (Monty) Hein of Pierre, Kenny Kocer of Bison, Mitsy (Doug) Woods of Wagner, Rosemary Anderson of Piedmont, and Carla (Scott) Crowser of Whitewood; four step children: Steve (Sandy) Hauer of Brooklyn Park, MN, Julie (Larry) Hauer-Charnas of Natick, MA, Karen Cox of Carson City, NV, and Rich (Angie) Hauer of Stevens Point, WI; 11 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; brother Dan (Carolyn) of Wagner; sister Connie (Don) Sieh of Prescott, AZ and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife Alice and his parents.