Reverend John Sloane Rock, Sr.

Reverend John Sloane Rock, Sr.

April 23, 1938 ~ October 8, 2022 (age 84)

Reverend John Sloane Rock, Sr. "Mii zhe' kwad" meaning "Ray of Sunshine Thru a Cloud", age 84 of the Wolf Clan and Bemidji, MN, was called home to his Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 8, 2022, from Neilson Place in Bemidji, MN. He was born in Cass Lake, MN on April 23, 1938, the son of Anna (White) and Reverend Rueben Rock, Sr.

John served his country for 22 years, while stationed in Germany met and married his beloved late wife, Hanna in 1966. John loved family get togethers, laughing, visiting, and telling stories. He had the gift of gab. A well-educated man, who gave good advice, loved to teach and pass on traditions, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. John retired from the US Military and went on to culinary school, he critiqued all food and gave compliments where needed. He was an avid car fan and had many cars. John spoke fluent Ojibwe and German, loved German cuisine. He was an outgoing man who enjoyed traveling, he was always on the go and hardly ever home. He danced pow wows in full regalia. He enjoyed fishing, duck hunting, ricing, and snaring rabbits. John was active in the community with his ministry services and supporting the youth by attending their events. John was a good artist, especially wood carving, he once made and donated a Totem Pole to Boy Scouts of America which made the newspaper. John was the #1 fan at Cass Lake basketball games and was presented with a basketball by the team. He enjoyed playing and watching sports, boxing, baseball, softball, and basketball to name a few. John was a coffee club member at the Bemidji McDonald's, where everyone knew him.

John is reunited with his late wife of 52 years, Hanna; an infant baby boy; mother and father-in-law, Fitz and Frieda Fimble; grandsons, Joshua and Zachariah; granddaughter, Willow; brothers, Sam, Melvin and Rueben, Jr .; sister, Mary Favorite; and numerous other family members and friends.

Those left behind to cherish the loving memory of Reverend John Rock, Sr. are his sons, John (Brenda) Rock, Jr. of Bemidji, and Dr. Patrick (Rita) Rock of Maple Grove, MN; daughter, Monica (Dean) Hooker of LaPorte, MN; sisters, Stella Rock, and Annie (Tom) Magoris; 9 grandchildren, Royal, Roslyn, Raven, Rozene, Ella, Cedric, Cassandra, Nicole, and Gabriel; 13 great-grandchildren; close friends, Jackie Bernacchi and Mark Olson; and numerous other family members and friends.

A memorial service for John will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with a one-hour visitation prior, all to be held at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Bemidji, MN. Pastor Mark Olson, Father Matthew Cobb, and Reverend Jackie Bernacchi will be officiating. Urn bearer will be Royal Rock. His honorary urn bearers are all his family and friends. Inurnment will be at a later date in Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Little Falls, MN. Military Honors for John will be accorded at time of inurnment.

Reverend John Rock's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be left at http://www.northernpeace.com

Services

Visitation

Saturday

April 22, 2023

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

1800 Irvine Avenue NW

Bemidji, MN 56601

Memorial Service

Saturday

April 22, 2023

11:00 AM

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

1800 Irvine Avenue NW

Bemidji, MN 56601