Tob John Ockenga, 49, of Egan, SD, passed away Friday at the Avera Flandreau Hospital. Tob was born at home on March 2, 1970 in Berrien County, MI to Barbara Jean and John "Jack" Charles Ockenga. He was the 3 ^rd of 12 children & the first son. Tob was an active child and loved to be outside playing Dukes of Hazard. When Tob needed to rest you could find him sleeping out in the pasture on the donkey, or in the pig-pen with his pig Iris. Tob paid $1 out of his own pocket for Iris at auction and spent most of his time taking care of, reading to and even sleeping with her. Growing up Tob only had 1 enemy…the rooster. Tob's younger years were full of horse shows, boy scouts and church. He loved music, "Good Music" as he would say. As a young boy, he would sing Primary Songs, but as he grew older, he had his own special playlist that he loved. 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 South Dakota. 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 had 2 beautiful children together. Tob was an amazing father to all 3 of his children, Haley Sue (25), Sydney Jo (20), and Dylan Shea (14). Tob was a great son taking care of things at the farm for his parents. He also showed his love for his Grandma by helping her in any way after his Grandpa passed away. Maybe that is where his love for cooking came from. He was a great brother who taught his brothers the right way to work and held a protective arm around his sisters. He was the best grandpa to Emery (2), and Avery (1). Tob's everything was his children, they went on many adventures through the years together. Tob 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. To know him was to love him. He will be dearly missed.

Tob was survived by his children Haley Rederth, Flandreau, SD, Sidney Ockenga, St. Paul, MN, and Dylan Ockenga, Egan, SD; 2 beloved granddaughters Emery and Avery; his parents Jack and Barbara Ockenga, Flandreau, SD; and 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, Tharron (Erin) Ockenga, Beresford, SD, Thierry (Shelby) Ockenga, Sioux Falls; his Grandma 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.