Tob J. Ockenga, age 49, passed away Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Avera Flandreau Hospital.
Tob John was born at home on March 2, 1970 in Berrien County, MI to Barbara Jean and John “Jack” Charles Ockenga. He was the 3rd of 12 children and the first son. Tob was an active child and loved to be outside playing Dukes of Hazard. Tob’s younger years were full of horse shows, boy scouts and church.  He loved music, “Good Music” as he would say. Before his family moved to Colorado, he attended River School in Michigan. After the age of 10, Tob was then homeschooled in Colorado until he started working for his Dad.  At 17, his family moved to an acreage outside Egan, SD. Tob lived for a short time in Flandreau, but always knew that Egan was his home. This is where he met Laura Rederth and her daughter, Haley Sue. Tob and Laura also had two children together.
He was an avid reader and concert goer. He was the ultimate sportsman who loved canoeing on the river and camping.  He enjoyed gardening, playing horseshoes and stair surfing.  He was an absolute music enthusiast, master mosher, and played a mean air guitar.  Tob loved his dogs and always had a Rottie by his side, all animals seemed to just gravitate to him.  Tob was the life of the party, great smile and someone that would do anything for anyone. Tob was an amazing father, grandpa, son, grandson and brother. To know him was to love him.  He will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his three children: Haley Rederth, Flandreau, Sidney Ockenga, St. Paul, MN, and Dylan Ockenga, Egan; two granddaughters: Emery and Avery; his parents: Jack and Barbara Ockenga, Flandreau; his 11 siblings: Kammi (Gene) VanderZiel, Kenneth, MN, Kiersti (Jon) Taylor, Berthoud, CO, Katti (David) Geraets, Humboldt, SD, Travis (Amanda) Ockenga, Jasper, MN, Tim (Rebecca) Ockenga, Garretson, SD, Tony (Jenny) Ockenga, Harrisburg, SD, Thomas (Sheena) Ockenga, Hartford, SD, Klara Ockenga, Crooks, SD, Tyler (Kylie) Ockenga, Sioux Falls, SD, Tharron (Erin) Ockenga, Beresford, SD, Thierry (Shelby) Ockenga, Sioux Falls, SD; his grandmother: Maxine Bunker, Ellsworth, MN, and 50 nieces and nephews.
Services will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the Trent Gym. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 pm Tuesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau.
www.skrochfc.com