Rita Joanne Brock, age 87 passed on March 8, 2014, Inman, Kansas. Resident of Aberdeen, SD from 1954-2010, she left this world a better place for the joy she shared with others. Born in Kansas City, MO to Merrill Paul and Veralee List, she graduated from the University of Kansas, majoring in Art and Advertising.
After graduating, she worked as an artist for Hallmark Cards, KCMO. In 1949, she married Russell O. Brock. From their wedding reception, the newlyweds drove to Boulder, CO for a four year honeymoon and the birth of two sons, David Andrew in 1950 and Paul Christopher in 1952.
After Russell earned his doctorate in History at the University of Colorado in 1953, they returned to KCMO where their next two sons were born, Kevin Thomas in 1954, and Richard Russell in 1955. Later in 1955 Joanne and their four small sons joined Russell in Aberdeen, SD, where Russell had been hired to teach History at Northern State Teacher's College, as NSU was then known.
A devoted wife and mother, she was very active in Aberdeen Arts. Joanne had a quick-sketch booth for many years at "Arts in the Park" and "Winterfest", and had booths at art festivals in Vermillion, for Sisseton, and Brookings. Portraits made by her can be found not only throughout eastern SD but also in Arizona, Florida, and Southern France. Her mural of 24 life-size children for Feinstein's basement children's department was a favorite of hers. She made the first animal habitat for the Dacotah Prairie Museum, on display from 1975-2004. She served on numerous local boards throughout the years, including the Aberdeen Community Concert Assoc., SD Public TV, Aberdeen Arts Council, May Overby PTA, Northern State Faculty Wives, Chapter CB of PEO Sisterhood, American Association of University Women and Prairie Players. She sang and danced in "Fiddler on the Roof" and in several St. Luke's "Cardiac Capers". She sang for many years in the choir of the Plymouth Congregational Church, which honored her 50 years of membership in 2006. Joanne also worked in taxpayer assistance for the IRS, and later became a permanent field interviewer for the US Bureau of the Census for 14 years. Her passion for travel took her to all parts of the United States and also to Canada, Eastern and Western Europe, Hong Kong, and Morocco.
She was preceded in death by beloved husband Russell and both parents. She is survived by her sons, David, Paul, Kevin, and Richard; by her grandsons, Ethan, Aaron, Brian, and Derek, by granddaughter Mollie, great-granddaughter Hattie Bee Paraguassu; and her half-sister Billie Lou Burkdoll Herman. She will be remembered in a memorial service at a time and place to be announced. Her remains will be cremated per her wishes, and her ashes spread in Provence, France, if we can get them past customs.
After graduating, she worked as an artist for Hallmark Cards, KCMO. In 1949, she married Russell O. Brock. From their wedding reception, the newlyweds drove to Boulder, CO for a four year honeymoon and the birth of two sons, David Andrew in 1950 and Paul Christopher in 1952.
After Russell earned his doctorate in History at the University of Colorado in 1953, they returned to KCMO where their next two sons were born, Kevin Thomas in 1954, and Richard Russell in 1955. Later in 1955 Joanne and their four small sons joined Russell in Aberdeen, SD, where Russell had been hired to teach History at Northern State Teacher's College, as NSU was then known.
A devoted wife and mother, she was very active in Aberdeen Arts. Joanne had a quick-sketch booth for many years at "Arts in the Park" and "Winterfest", and had booths at art festivals in Vermillion, for Sisseton, and Brookings. Portraits made by her can be found not only throughout eastern SD but also in Arizona, Florida, and Southern France. Her mural of 24 life-size children for Feinstein's basement children's department was a favorite of hers. She made the first animal habitat for the Dacotah Prairie Museum, on display from 1975-2004. She served on numerous local boards throughout the years, including the Aberdeen Community Concert Assoc., SD Public TV, Aberdeen Arts Council, May Overby PTA, Northern State Faculty Wives, Chapter CB of PEO Sisterhood, American Association of University Women and Prairie Players. She sang and danced in "Fiddler on the Roof" and in several St. Luke's "Cardiac Capers". She sang for many years in the choir of the Plymouth Congregational Church, which honored her 50 years of membership in 2006. Joanne also worked in taxpayer assistance for the IRS, and later became a permanent field interviewer for the US Bureau of the Census for 14 years. Her passion for travel took her to all parts of the United States and also to Canada, Eastern and Western Europe, Hong Kong, and Morocco.
She was preceded in death by beloved husband Russell and both parents. She is survived by her sons, David, Paul, Kevin, and Richard; by her grandsons, Ethan, Aaron, Brian, and Derek, by granddaughter Mollie, great-granddaughter Hattie Bee Paraguassu; and her half-sister Billie Lou Burkdoll Herman. She will be remembered in a memorial service at a time and place to be announced. Her remains will be cremated per her wishes, and her ashes spread in Provence, France, if we can get them past customs.
Rita Joanne Brock, age 87 passed on March 8, 2014, Inman, Kansas. Resident of Aberdeen, SD from 1954-2010, she left this world a better place for the joy she shared with others. Born in Kansas City, MO to Merrill Paul and Veralee List, she graduated from the University of Kansas, majoring in Art and Advertising.
After graduating, she worked as an artist for Hallmark Cards, KCMO. In 1949, she married Russell O. Brock. From their wedding reception, the newlyweds drove to Boulder, CO for a four year honeymoon and the birth of two sons, David Andrew in 1950 and Paul Christopher in 1952.
After Russell earned his doctorate in History at the University of Colorado in 1953, they returned to KCMO where their next two sons were born, Kevin Thomas in 1954, and Richard Russell in 1955. Later in 1955 Joanne and their four small sons joined Russell in Aberdeen, SD, where Russell had been hired to teach History at Northern State Teacher's College, as NSU was then known.
A devoted wife and mother, she was very active in Aberdeen Arts. Joanne had a quick-sketch booth for many years at "Arts in the Park" and "Winterfest", and had booths at art festivals in Vermillion, for Sisseton, and Brookings. Portraits made by her can be found not only throughout eastern SD but also in Arizona, Florida, and Southern France. Her mural of 24 life-size children for Feinstein's basement children's department was a favorite of hers. She made the first animal habitat for the Dacotah Prairie Museum, on display from 1975-2004. She served on numerous local boards throughout the years, including the Aberdeen Community Concert Assoc., SD Public TV, Aberdeen Arts Council, May Overby PTA, Northern State Faculty Wives, Chapter CB of PEO Sisterhood, American Association of University Women and Prairie Players. She sang and danced in "Fiddler on the Roof" and in several St. Luke's "Cardiac Capers". She sang for many years in the choir of the Plymouth Congregational Church, which honored her 50 years of membership in 2006. Joanne also worked in taxpayer assistance for the IRS, and later became a permanent field interviewer for the US Bureau of the Census for 14 years. Her passion for travel took her to all parts of the United States and also to Canada, Eastern and Western Europe, Hong Kong, and Morocco.
She was preceded in death by beloved husband Russell and both parents. She is survived by her sons, David, Paul, Kevin, and Richard; by her grandsons, Ethan, Aaron, Brian, and Derek, by granddaughter Mollie, great-granddaughter Hattie Bee Paraguassu; and her half-sister Billie Lou Burkdoll Herman. She will be remembered in a memorial service at a time and place to be announced. Her remains will be cremated per her wishes, and her ashes spread in Provence, France, if we can get them past customs.
After graduating, she worked as an artist for Hallmark Cards, KCMO. In 1949, she married Russell O. Brock. From their wedding reception, the newlyweds drove to Boulder, CO for a four year honeymoon and the birth of two sons, David Andrew in 1950 and Paul Christopher in 1952.
After Russell earned his doctorate in History at the University of Colorado in 1953, they returned to KCMO where their next two sons were born, Kevin Thomas in 1954, and Richard Russell in 1955. Later in 1955 Joanne and their four small sons joined Russell in Aberdeen, SD, where Russell had been hired to teach History at Northern State Teacher's College, as NSU was then known.
A devoted wife and mother, she was very active in Aberdeen Arts. Joanne had a quick-sketch booth for many years at "Arts in the Park" and "Winterfest", and had booths at art festivals in Vermillion, for Sisseton, and Brookings. Portraits made by her can be found not only throughout eastern SD but also in Arizona, Florida, and Southern France. Her mural of 24 life-size children for Feinstein's basement children's department was a favorite of hers. She made the first animal habitat for the Dacotah Prairie Museum, on display from 1975-2004. She served on numerous local boards throughout the years, including the Aberdeen Community Concert Assoc., SD Public TV, Aberdeen Arts Council, May Overby PTA, Northern State Faculty Wives, Chapter CB of PEO Sisterhood, American Association of University Women and Prairie Players. She sang and danced in "Fiddler on the Roof" and in several St. Luke's "Cardiac Capers". She sang for many years in the choir of the Plymouth Congregational Church, which honored her 50 years of membership in 2006. Joanne also worked in taxpayer assistance for the IRS, and later became a permanent field interviewer for the US Bureau of the Census for 14 years. Her passion for travel took her to all parts of the United States and also to Canada, Eastern and Western Europe, Hong Kong, and Morocco.
She was preceded in death by beloved husband Russell and both parents. She is survived by her sons, David, Paul, Kevin, and Richard; by her grandsons, Ethan, Aaron, Brian, and Derek, by granddaughter Mollie, great-granddaughter Hattie Bee Paraguassu; and her half-sister Billie Lou Burkdoll Herman. She will be remembered in a memorial service at a time and place to be announced. Her remains will be cremated per her wishes, and her ashes spread in Provence, France, if we can get them past customs.
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