Robert L. Kocmick, 86, of Dante died Sunday July 17, 2016 at his home in rural, Dante. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2016 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Dante, with Father Robert Wullweber serving as celebrant. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery, rural Dante with military honors. Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Thursday at Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner. A 6:30 p.m. rosary/wake will be held Thursday at the church.

Robert Louis Kocmick was born in the family home, September 19, 1930, to John F. and Mary (Placek) Kocmick. He died on July 17, 2016, after 18 months of fighting leukemia. He attained the age of 85 years and 10 months. He grew up and attended Rural Elementary School near Dante, SD, and graduated from Avon High School in 1948. He worked with his father on the farm until enlisting in the US Air Force in January 1951. He was trained in Jet Engine Mechanics at various air bases in Texas, Illinois, Alaska, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

He married Elizabeth Joan Ruhl on June 17, 1952 at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. After his discharge in 1955 they returned to the family farm near Dante, SD. He served on the Avon School Board of Education from 1970-1981. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW Post in Wagner, SD. Robert retired from farming in 1995.

Robert was a hard worker and very resourceful on the farm. He was a good mechanic and welder and fixed most of his own machinery. He produced a variety of crops, along with hogs, and cattle. Robert also loved horses. In recent years, he loved to garden and was proud of it. He also enjoyed over the years, hunting deer with family members and friends, reading and keeping up with local and world events and politics, watching old western movies, playing cards, traveling many trips around the US and Canada , and visiting with most anyone he would meet. He loved driving around in the country and discovering the goings-on with neighbors and local communities. Robert loved and participated in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in any way he could.

Surviving family members who are thankful for sharing his life are his wife, Elizabeth Joan Kocmick, Dante, SD; children, Robert & Debbie Kocmick, Sioux Falls, SD, Kimberly & Danny Burden, Sioux Falls, SD, Debra Kocmick, Dante, SD, Julie & Jay Mudder, Avon, SD, James & Jane Kocmick, Brandon, SD, David & Mette Kocmick, Copenhagen, Denmark; grandchildren, Erica & Ben Stone, Michael & Amanda Kocmick, Daniel Kocmick & Tori Cain, Sioux Falls, SD, Lissa & Bo Wittern, Nola Kocmick & Dare Kocmick, Sioux City, IA, Emily Mudder & Lukkes Mudder, Avon, SD, Cole, Calista & Nathan Kocmick, Brandon, SD, Louis & Mila Kocmick, Copenhagen, Denmark; great grandchildren, Lane & Dalton Stone, Sioux Falls, SD; sister, Sylvia & Lauren Meiers, Avon, SD; sister-in-law, Emma Kocmick, Omaha, NE; brother-in-law, Earl Schumacher, Monticello, MN; brother-in-law, William Ruhl, Bettendorf, IA, sister-in-law, Ruth La Musga, Chico, CA, & many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John F. & Mary (Placek) Kocmick; son, Bruce Kocmick granddaughter, Stephanie Kocmick; sister & brother-in-law, Violet & Clarence Jenison; brother, James E. Kocmick; sister, Janice Schumacher.