Gerald O. (Joe) Van Bockern, 56, Rapid City, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2016 at the Golden Livingcenter in Rapid City, South Dakota. Joe leaves behind a loving family and many friends at Black Hills Works who will miss his laughter and smiles in their lives. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Emma (Patton) Van Bockern, one nephew, John Janssen, and his maternal and paternal grandparents. Survivors include brothers Royce (Carol) Van Bockern, Tom Van Bockern, sisters Jean (Gary) Nelson, Minna (Steve) Rasmussen, Trish Gulbransen, Lisa (Eugene) Dean, 8 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. Joe was born on September 15, 1959 in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. He attended special education classes until he was 18 at which time his forward thinking parents moved to Rapid City to enroll him at Black Hills Works where he lived until his death. Joe learned many vocational skills there with the most notable being his tenure at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He spent many productive years there and finally retired in 2011. Joe began spending his days at the Black Hills Works retirement center where he spent much of his time doing latch hook projects and painting. It can be said that Joe never met a stranger. He met people with a hug or handshake, and the babies got a kiss. Joe loved music, strumming his guitar and singing. He loved food, pretty girls, the Dukes of Hazard, shopping, bowling and traveling. Joe taught us compassion, acceptance and how to laugh. We are all better people because Joe was part of our family. He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Rapid City where, in his earlier years, he enjoyed ushering and lighting candles. Joe has exceeded our expectations in so many ways but none more than the love and laughter he shared with his family and his extended family at Black Hills Works. We shall be forever indebted to them for his care and their love.