Darrel D. Focken

Darrel Dean Focken, age 62, of Atkinson, passed away on Friday morning, June 8, 2012, at his home in Springview.

Visitation will be held on Thursday (today),  June 14, 2012,  from 3-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 15, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Atkinson, with Pastor Wayne Owens officiating. Music will be provided by singers, Alan Poessnecker and Rick Focken and organist, Caroline Poessnecker.

Pallbearers will be Tom Walnofer, Bryan Sanford, Jerry Focken, Richard Schrunk, Robert Anson and Richard Kilmurry.

Honorary pallbearers will be Verlin Griess, Allen Tooker, Randy Kaczor, Eldon Vogt, Andy Vanzee and all his cattle buyer friends.

Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery at Atkinson.

Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson is in charge of arrangements.

Darrel was born in Atkinson on Jan. 30, 1950, with his twin brother, Dale. He was the seventh of 11 children born to Clarence Sr. and Helen (Brown) Focken. He graduated from West Holt High School in 1968.

On July 15, 1970, he enlisted in the Army at Ft. Lewis, WA. He achieved the rank of SP4 and served in Vietnam. He was discharged on April 12, 1972.

On July 7, 1973, he was united in marriage to Nancy Kay Seiler in Atkinson. They were blessed with five children. They moved to Simms, MT in 1988. They divorced in 1992.

He married Cindy Lou Killham on May 9, 1992, in Great Falls, MT. After many years living in Montana, he felt the pull of home calling him back to Nebraska. They moved back to Atkinson where they made their home on the Focken ranch 15 miles north of town, the same ranch where he grew up as a child.

Darrel made a living buying cattle for Rudy Stanko, IBP and most currently, JBS (Packerland). His competitive spirit and passion for the cattle industry made him a respected adversary. He enjoyed working his ranch, his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and all extended family.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy Focken; son, Jay and wife, Michelle Focken of Anaconda, MT; daughters:Suzanne Thangaratnam and husband,  Anankan of Edmonds, WA; Tanya Sisk and her husband, Kevin of Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA; Alicia Focken and finance, Brad McConnell of Pine Bluffs, WY; son, Darrin and wife, Victoria Focken of Ephrata, WA; daughter, Cassandra Wilson of Sydney, MT; stepdaughter, Caron Wakefield of Craig, CO; stepsons:Patrick and Robert Rhodes, both of Great Falls, MT and Neal Newman of Orville, WA; ten grandchildren; brothers and sisters: William Focken and wife, Jean of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Alice Emmons of Wimberly, Texas; Paul Focken and wife, Margaret of Bassett; Doyle Focken and wife, Kristi of Snyder, CO; June Gallinaro and husband, Frank of Auburn, NH; Karen Davids and husband, Roger of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Dale Focken of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Daniel Focken and wife, Carol of Sebeka, MN and Debby Smith and husband, Ken of Universal City, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Clarence Jr.