Raymond L. Van Bockel Sr. 90, of Lebanon, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Avera Oahe Manor in Gettysburg.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Grace Bible Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Logan Nyquist presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2026, at the church with visitation one hour prior.

Raymond Lloyd Van Bockel was born September 28, 1935, in southeast Potter County, South Dakota, to Joe and Agnes (Heimstra) Van Bockel.

He attended Copp School through the eighth grade before attending Gettysburg High School for a short time. He left school to help on the family farm and also worked for various farmers throughout the Potter County area. Raymond furthered his education by completing a diesel mechanics course through the Utilities Engineering Institute of Chicago, Illinois, by correspondence.

Raymond enlisted in the United States Army on December 8, 1955, and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. While serving there, Raymond and his wife, Georgia, made their home in Alaska for three years. He was later transferred to Killeen, Texas, where he served for nine months before receiving an honorable discharge on January 21, 1961.

Raymond married Georgia Millar on May 12, 1957, in Gettysburg, South Dakota. They welcomed their son, Raymond Jr., on March 27, 1958, while living in Alaska.

After returning to South Dakota, Raymond worked for a short time for Jesse Millar and later for Saphus and Irene Odegaard. In 1968, the family purchased the Olson place, where they raised their family and built a life together.

In April 1964, Raymond committed his life to the Lord through the work of Richard Adrian, an American Sunday School Union missionary. This began many years of Bible studies held in their home and throughout the neighborhood. Raymond and Georgia also found great joy in investing in young people, often taking them on trips to the Black Hills and Yellowstone as graduation gifts.

Raymond helped establish the Victory Center Bible Camp southwest of Fort Pierre. In 1973, Raymond, along with his wife and son, joined Grace Bible Church, where he remained a faithful member throughout his life. He served on various committees and taught Sunday School.

Raymond had a deep love for cattle and horses. He raised purebred Simmental cattle, sold bulls, participated in wagon trains, and even organized his own cattle drive to Gettysburg.

Raymond will always be remembered for his love of the Lord, his devotion to his family, and his caring heart for others. He quietly made a difference in the lives of those around him through his faith, generosity, and willingness to invest his time in others.

Raymond’s life will forever be cherished by his son, Raymond (Dianne) Jr, of Lebanon; ; two granddaughters, Valerie (Tom) Pryor of Lincoln, NE, and Vanesa (Peter) Hall of Gettysburg; four great-grandchildren: Harper Georgia and Camden Pryor of Lincoln, NE, and Henry Robert and Felix Hall of Gettysburg; two brothers-in-law: Dave LeDuc and Ellis (Patty) Miller; sister-in-law, June Bentz; and his nieces and nephews: Carol Duncan, Patti Weber, Twyla Nordquist, Donna Plank, Wade, Kelly, Michael, and Andy LeDuc, and Terry and Doug Tennant as well as many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Georgia; siblings: Marian Waddell, Vernon Van Bockel, Elda Scheller, Jetta LeDuc, and JoAnn Tennant; niece, Joy Scheller; and nephews: Keith Van Bockel, and Joe & John Scheller.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Ray’s arrangements.

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