Mike Rockne

Mike Rockne, age 62, of Yankton, South Dakota, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton with Father Larry Regynski officiating. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, September 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a rosary at 6:45 PM followed by a vigil service at 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton. Pallbearers are Doug Brooks, Kevin Goeden, Perry Hanson, Kenny Kuchta, Randy Kussman, and Mike Schmidt. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Jim River Trap Range and his extended family at Hy-Vee. Michael David Rockne was born March 17, 1957 in Yankton, South Dakota to David and Carol (Tielke) Rockne. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Yankton High School in 1975. On June 5, 1981, Mike married Sherry Bertsch at Sacred Heart Church in Yankton. Mike lived in Yankton his entire life, first working at Gibson’s Discount Center, then for Buy For Less Foods and finally Sav-U-More, which all operated out of the same building. Mike joked that he “went with the lease”. He moved over from Sav-U-More to the new Hy-Vee store and retired from there on April 30, 2018 after 37 years of service. Mike loved the outdoors and enjoying nature. You could always find him fishing, hunting, golfing, trap shooting or maybe sneaking in a nap. Mike started the Mount Marty Trap Shooting Program in 2014 and then began the Yankton High School Trap Program in 2017, serving as head coach for the last 3 years. He was also a member of the Jim River Trap Range. Mike had a very creative mind and enjoyed dreaming up his own game show competitions for family Christmas gatherings, displays for his departments at Hy-Vee or ideas for the Hy-Vee Riverboat Days floats. He also had a unique ability to design and create all sorts of items, especially woodworking projects. He loved loud rock music and to jam along with his air guitar. He had a great sense of humor and was known for his quick wit and jokes. Mike treasured his family including his grandchildren, his grand-dogs, and spending time at the river with his St. Louis cousins. Mike is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sherry Rockne of Yankton; two children, Jason Rockne of Yankton and Laura (Nathan) Hancock of Sioux Falls; three grandchildren: Noah, Isaiah and Henry Hancock; parents, David and Carol Rockne of Yankton; brother, Tom (Leann) Rockne of Yankton; mother-in-law, Marilyn Bertsch of Yankton; brother-in-law, Brian (Linda) Bertsch of Hopkinsville, KY; grand-dogs, Dexter and Toby; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents and father-in-law, Elton Bertsch. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials to Sacred Heart School at 1500 St. Benedict Drive in Yankton, SD 57078 or Yankton High School Trap Team, C/O Randy Moderegger, 814 E 18th St in Yankton.