Linda Brockel

Linda M. Brockel, 75, of Rapid City, was called home to her Lord and Savior on November 11, 2022, from complications during surgery.

Linda was born February 22, 1947, in Hillsboro, Oregon to Paul and Viola (Obenauer) Burger.  As a small child, her family would move to Eureka, SD before settling in Aberdeen, SD.

Growing up in Aberdeen, Linda attended school at Howard Hedger, Monroe JH, and graduated from Central High in 1965.  It was while attending high school that she would meet her high school sweetheart, Joe Brockel, and spend the next 57 years with him.  

From a young age, Linda’s calling was working as a nurse’s aide.  She started her career at St. Lukes in Aberdeen.  It wasn’t until later, while working at Sheridan Manor and Westview in Sheridan, that she would come to specialize in the Alzheimer’s unit and earn her certification in medicine dispensing which she took most pride in.

During her married life, she would live in many places. After giving birth to their first child, Kevin, in 1966, they would soon move to Milwaukee, WI.  It was there she would have another son, Kris in 1970, and work at Flambo Plastic Works.  In 1975, she found herself up in Washburn, ND running Dakota Lanes bowling alley.  Shortly after, Joe took a job with BNSF and would move to Bismarck where she would welcome her third child, Kara, in 1980.  The railroad then took her family to the small community of Tuttle, ND where she played the church organ at the Lutheran church.  Joe’s job would eventually take her out to Sheridan, Wyoming for the next 26 years.  While in Sheridan, Linda continued her CNA work while working alongside her husband and father in the family business, Sheridan Fire Equipment, which she was the bookkeeper for.  Upon retirement in 2006, Linda and Joe moved back to Bismarck to be closer to their children.  They would then move one more time to Rapid City to be closer to their grandchildren and live out their golden years.

Linda was well known for making wedding mints and her famous sugar cookies that her kids would fight over at Christmas time.  She would also spoil her husband with homemade pies in his lunch pail.  

Linda had a love for music.  From playing the organ in church to attending dances, she loved to listen to and dance to music. Her favorites were waltz and polkas to 50’s and 60’s music.  She especially loved going to listen to a long-time family friend, Lee Butler’s band.

In her retirement, Linda loved to spend her mornings reading the local newspapers from where she had lived.  She looked forward to Saturday night cards with the girls, Bev and Phyllis.  Often, Linda and Joe would take afternoon rides to the park or up in the Black Hills.  

Nothing meant more to Linda than her family.  She loved them more than anything in this world.  She was especially proud of her grandchildren and wanted to see them all the time.  She always made sure that her grandkids received cards and goodie bags for every holiday and loved to make up those special cards and decorate their goodie bags.

Linda’s faith was strong in the Lord.  Wednesday nights, she would attend bible study with close friends and she attended Faith Lutheran Church on Sundays.  She prayed for everyone daily and cherished her relationship with her Savior in Christ.

Forever grateful for sharing her life, her loving husband of 57 years, JoeRay;  Her children, Kevin (Susan) of Bismarck, ND, Kris (Jennifer) of Springfield, MO, and Kara (John) of Beulah, WY.  Her 8 beautiful grandchildren, Shanna (Zach) Hockert, Shane (Allison) Brockel, Kaitlyn (Alan) Brockel, Dakota Brockel, Kaydence, Kameron, Kayley, and Karleigh Cooke; 4 great-grandchildren, Teegan, Carter, and Maverick Hockert and Amelia Brockel; her sister Patricia (Mark) Morrison, her brother Steve (Jeri) Burger and numerous nieces and nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Viola.

Linda will forever be deeply loved and cherished by her family and friends.

Her visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, November 16 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 am Thursday, November 17 at Faith Lutheran Church, 17 Indiana Street with visitation one prior to the service. Burial will follow at Pine Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.