Margaret I. Rockey

Margaret Irene Rockey, 92, of Bismarck, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on November 5th, 2024. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at St. George’s Episcopal Memorial Church, 601 North 4th St., Bismarck. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Friday at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck with a prayer service starting at 7:00 PM. 

Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. 

She was born April 3rd, 1932, at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, to Lester and Harriet Bunker. She grew up going to a small country school north of town and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1950. Margaret met the love of her life, Joseph Rockey, in 1949 at a high school basketball game. The two got married on June 11th, 1953, at Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary’s Church. 

She worked at Nash Finch as a bookkeeper, a credit manager at JC Penny’s in Bismarck. Margaret and her family picked up and moved in 1966 to Billings, MT for Joes new job. In 1971, the family moved back to Bismarck, ND, where she spent her time raising and taking care of her children. Many years later, she began working at Boneshaker Coffee Company where she spent 18 years doing the book work and making sure everyone got all the baked goods with their coffees. Out of all the jobs that she had though, her all-time favorite was being the daycare provider for her grandchildren. 

Margaret loved anything and everything outdoors. Growing up on a farm as a young girl she had a deep love for horses, and loved horse-riding and rodeos. Along with that, she enjoyed boating, camping, playing horseshoes and hunting. Margaret loved country music and dancing on the dance floor with her husband Joe. However, she did enjoy being indoors when she was tossing a bowling ball down the alleys during her Wednesday leagues with her ladies. She was known for her collection of salt and pepper shakers and little bells. She loved her little knickknacks & Avon. In addition, she loved to travel and her overall favorite place she went was a tie between British Columbia and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Most important to Margaret though was spending time with her family.

She will forever be remembered for the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her favorite memories to talk about were the endless hours spent taking care of her kiddos—whether it be taking them for ice cream at McDonalds, to pizza and playing at Snoopers, to picking them up from school every day, to making homemade shakes in plastic cups in the kitchen. These were, as she said, “The best days of her life”. She was always their biggest supporter, and always was there for all the sporting events, programs, and birthday parties. She was known for her fudge, frozen slushies, famous sloppy joes, and her love for the Golden Girls. She made sure that her grandkids were well taken care of, always. The endless hours of laughs, memories, sleepovers and “What happens at Grandma’s house... stays at Grandma’s house!” will forever live on in her grandchildren’s hearts. 

 A special note to Grandma “Grammy”:  Thank you for everything you did for us. We love you...We will miss you, but we will forever cherish the memories at Grandma’s House. -Your Grandchildren 

Margaret is survived by her 3 children: Cheryl Jose, Pewaukee, WI, Charlyne Kemmesat, Bismarck, and Robert (Rhonda) Rockey, Bismarck. Her Grandchildren, Breanna Jose, Milwaukee, WI, Kalee (Jonathan) Werner, Pierre, SD, Ciarra (Chad) Cason, Pewaukee, WI, Collin (Danielle) Kemmesat, Bismarck, Colton Jose, Sussex, WI, Alexis Rockey, Bismarck, Levi (Alie) Rockey, Bismarck and Dalton Kemmesat, Bismarck. Her Great Grandchildren, Logan Cason, Brinley Cason, Avlyn Werner, Avra Werner, Halston Kemmesat, Adalyn Cason; siblings: Jean Hoff, Las Vegas, NV, Deloris Weber, Mandan, brother-in-law, John Oman, Newington, CT; many nieces, nephews and longtime friends. 

 Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Rockey; parents, Lester and Harriet Bunker; sister, Donna Oman and brothers-in-law, Ed Weber and Jack Hoff; son in-law, Donald Jose along with many aunts & uncles. 

 Memorials are preferred to TR 4 Heart & Soul, 8023 93rd St. SE, Bismarck, ND 58504.