Mass of Christian Burial for Theresa Hockenbary age 73 of Valentine will be held on Wednesday, May 1 at 10:00 AM at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Rosary will be on Tuesday, April 30 at 7:00 PM at the Church. Visitation will be on Tuesday starting at 2:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine.

Theresa Margaret Hockenbary born January 25, 1940 in Pierre, SD to John and Margaret (Hoffman) Herber. Theresa grew up on the Herber homestead near Kadoka, SD where she attended grade school near Wheata, SD. After attending St. Martins academy as a freshman, she finished the remainder of her high school years at Kadoka High School. It was during her time there that she met Rodney Allen Hockenbary. They were married November 22, 1958 in Philip, SD.

The newlyweds made their home north of Allen, SD on Rodney's parent's place until May of 1959. It was at this time that they purchased their own home, a ranch, south of Kilgore, NE. The ranch was blessed with the beautiful Niobrara River, and trees galore. It was here that they spent nearly 40 years and brought five children into this world. John; January 1960, Lawrence; January 1965, Patricia; March 1969, Aaron; November 1970, and Allen; February 1974.

During her lifetime, Theresa drove the school bus for Cody-Kilgore Schools, starting in 1982 and concluding in 1997.
In 1997 Theresa and Rodney started their next great adventure-a new home and truck wash in Valentine, NE.

She was a member of St. Mary's Alter Society, St Nicholas Church member, participated as a Eucharistic Minister, participated on the Worship team, and was a Choir member.


Theresa held many offices in the DCCW, square danced in Cody/Kilgore, and was an EMT from 1992 to 2004. In addition to that, she was a surgical technician for five years, then transferred to hospital receptionist.

Some of Theresa's hobbies included gardening and general activities outdoors, quilting, and sharing her religious beliefs with friends and family. She loved animals, but her 18 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren held a special place in her heart.

Theresa passed away April 27, 2013 at her home with her family at her side. Her survivors include her husband, Rodney, her children, John(Julie) Hockenbary of Valentine, NE; Lawrence(Tera) Hockenbary of New Underwood, SD; Patricia Grove of Pinedale WY; Aaron(Holly) Hockenbary of Valentine, NE; Allen(Jamie) Hockenbary of Fruitdale, SD; grandchildren: Joni, Cassie, Jami, Kodi, Kara, Blane, Kayla, Derek, Krista, Lance, Corey, Kolt, Luke, Collin, Gable, Layla, Cole, and Alyssa. Great- grandchildren Deklin, Kealy, Lawrence David, and AutumnRose. Survivors also include her sisters and brothers, Monica(Pat) Weaver of Wanblee SD, Bernard(Barbara) Herber of Kadoka SD, Phyllis (Bob) Grubl of Sturgis SD, Tony Harty of Kadoka SD, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceeded in death by her mother, Margaret; father, John; stepfather, John; sister, Joanne; and grandson-in-law, Dennis Morgan.