Russell Edward Hocking, age 93, of Sac City, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, August 1, 2007, at Loring Hospital in Sac City.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, August 4th, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sac City with Rev. Matt Milligan officiating. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Auburn under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 4:00-7:00 p.m., on Friday, August 3rd at the funeral home in Sac City.

Russell was born on April 13, 1914, in a farmhouse east of Ulmer, Iowa, the son of Jonathan Edward and Harriett Leona (Rice) Hocking. His parents lived near Ulmer, Grant City, and Auburn, Iowa. Russell attended Auburn Elementary School through the eighth grade.

On March 12, 1938, Russell was united in marriage to Bernice B. L. Anstiss in Niles, Michigan. Three children were born to this union: Marilyn, George, and Luana. Russell farmed through the fall of 1972, worked as a welder for Nobles Manufacturing in Sac City through June 1980, and managed Crab Tree Lake Campground near Rhodes, Iowa, from 1980-1984.

He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting, watching basketball, and loved animals. Russell was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He loved to be with his family and friends and cherished the time he could spend with his grandchildren. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sac City.

Survivors include his children: Marilyn A. Simpson and husband Arthur of Conrad, Iowa; George E. Hocking of Simi Valley, California; and Luana M. Hocking of Marengo, Iowa. Other survivors include his sister, Phyllis Schechinger of Carroll, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Stacy B. (Tambra) Simpson, New Providence, Iowa, Christopher M. (Jennifer) Simpson of Conrad, Iowa, and Tawni R. (Mark) Gunderson of Union, Iowa; Michelle Hocking, Bryan E. Hocking of Ventura, California, and Tiffany Hocking of Simi Valley, California; and Brit A. Hudnut of Marengo, Iowa; seven great-grandchildren: Mackenzie and Mikaela Simpson; Logan and Nicolette Simpson; and Wyatt, Landon, and Maliah Gunderson; many extended family members and friends.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Hattie and Ed Hocking; wife Bernice on July 10, 1997; six sisters: Neva Hudson, Reva Case, Marie Anderson, Lucille Kaufman, Velma Lakin, and Harriett Berger; and a brother, Ralph Hocking.