Jerry Rocheleau

May 3, 1950 – Jan. 10, 2023

Rugby

Army

Jerry Kim Rocheleau, age 72, passed away on January 10, 2023, in the Fargo Veterans Administration Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota. He was born May 3, 1950, in Rugby, ND to Kenneth “Red” and Edna (Dean) Rocheleau.

He was raised on the family farm in Spring Lake Township, Rugby, ND, and attended school in Rugby, graduating in 1968.

He was known in his early years as being an outstanding wrestler and some of his accolades include being a high school state wrestling champion for Rugby High School, winning three individual conference collegiate championships for Valley City State, along with being named an All-American Wrestler and MVP of the NDCAC tournament in 1974. He was inducted into the VCSU Hall of Fame in 2000.

While at Valley City State he met his wife, Kathie (Morlock), and they were married on September 4, 1971, in Sykeston, ND. After his junior year at Valley City State, he enlisted and spent two years in the United States Army during the height of the Vietnam War. He served at Fort Bragg, NC where he was a part of the 82nd Airborne Division and was a member of the Military Police before returning to finish college. He graduated from college in 1974 with degrees in social studies and physical education with minors in sociology, meteorology, and coaching. He taught and coached wrestling in Enderlin and Rolla, ND. In 1978, he moved back to Spring Lake and began ranching where he raised beef cattle, registered quarter horses, and irrigated corn. Above all, he loved raising and sharing life lessons with his three daughters, his grandchildren, and anyone he met. He enjoyed laughing, joking, storytelling and spending time with family and friends.

Our loving husband, father, and papa is survived by his wife Kathie, three daughters: Heidi (Christopher) Eckart of Jamestown, ND, Mistie (Jason) Holland of Casselton, ND, and Tami Jo (Thomas) Maus of Jamestown, ND, and nine precious grandchildren: Addi (Andrew) Jahnke, Adyn, and Grady Eckart; Emery, Easton, and Anisen Holland; Millicent, Marcella, and Monroe Maus. He is also survived by three brothers: James of Rugby, ND, Roger (Valory) of Burwell, NE, and Rocky (Paula) of Rugby, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Harold Morlock, and brother-in-law, Jack Duis.

Celebration of life was held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 15th at Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby, ND.

The family would like to thank the VA medical staff for their guidance, expertise, and compassion along with Anderson Funeral Home and Reverend Nathan Steen.

Memorials preferred to the Fargo VA Medical Center.

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, January 21, 2023.