Glen Hillard Bockness, 94, Minot, ND, died Friday, January 19, 2024 in a Hazen hospital.
Glen was born on Christmas Eve in 1929, to Hassell B. and Florence (Ballard) Bockness in Duluth, MN. His family moved to a farmstead in Osloe Township of Mountrail County, near Plaza, ND. Glen attended country schools during his youth through eighth grade.
Glen assisted on the family farmstead until he was drafted into active duty service with the US Army on April 25, 1941. He served honorably until his discharge on May 16, 1953. He returned to the prairie of North Dakota and continued daily life on the family farm.
Glen was united in marriage to Onna Olson on November 24, 1953, in Minot. They lived on a farmstead located north of Plaza until 1959, when they moved to Minot. Glen’s first job in Minot was skinning animals of all kinds for Porter Brothers/Dakota Hide and Fur prior to his start in the construction industry. He secured employment with Civil Service in 1966. He worked primarily in the housing and engineering maintenance divisions at the Minot Air Force Base during his tenure. Glen retired in 1991. This provided him with the time to work alongside his son Gerhard in the construction of semiconductor clean rooms for Motorola out of Irvine, CA for many years. Glen was a lifelong cowboy, getting his start working for a horse buyer from Carpio. He dabbled in ranching with his son-in-law Steve and treasured the summers he spent with his granddaughter Codi on the rodeo circuit.
Glen was a member of the American Legion, Moose Lodge, Eagles Aerie and Augustana Lutheran Church, all of Minot. He volunteered his time and woodworking talents at the Minot YMCA Triangle Y Camp making paddles for the kids to personalize. The Norsk Hostfest was a staple of the fall each year for Glen, volunteering for the festival with many friends over the years. Glen enjoyed gardening and horseback riding on the prairie with his favorite horse ‘Spotlight’. Glen will be remembered for his quick wit, stories, easy smile and work ethic.
Glen is survived by his children Gerhard Bockness, Hemet, CA and Lavina (Steve) Myhre, Hazen, ND; son-in-law Greg (Char) Boyer, Hazen, ND; grandchildren Lindsy (Shane) Berg, Codi (Ryan) Olsen, Glen (Wendy) Bockness, Garrett (Maddalida) Bockness, Waylon (Amanda) Boyer and Deserea (Josh) Cole; great-grandchildren Jace Olsen, Jacqueline, Kellie and Kendall Berg, Everly Olsen and BradLee and Audrey Bockness along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Glen was preceded in death by his parents, wife Onna, daughter Carol Boyer, son Gladwin Bockness, brother Bruce Bockness and nephew Byron Bockness.
Celebration of Life for Glen Bockness: 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Minot. To view a streaming of the service access https://www.cornerstoneminot.com/watch
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND
Visitation: Wednesday, January 24, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
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