Phyllis Hocker
courtesy photo
Phyllis Hocker
RONAN — Phyllis Hocker passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on Nov. 17, 2021, at 12:10 after a short battle with an illness. She was born on July 13, 1926, in Shelton, Washington, to Gerald and Esther Deffinbaugh. The family later moved to Dayton and then to the North Crow area of Ronan when she was in the fifth grade.
Phyllis graduated early from Ronan High School and became a part of the war effort, testing landing gear for airplanes in Long Beach, while she waited to turn 18 and attend Cadet Nurse Corps Program at Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane, Washington. She worked as a “special” nurse, caring for friends and family in various hospitals. She later worked as a surgical nurse closely with LaVerne McGreevey, Dr. JM Brooke and Dr. S.T. McDonald for many years at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan.
Phyllis was married to Bill Hocker on Aug. 3, 1950, in Missoula and had seven children during their marriage: Susan, Marilyn, Marjorie, Evelyn, Bill, Amy, and Jon. She managed to balance farm work, nursing, and feeding as many as 12 people lunch every day during certain times of the year.
Phyllis was active in the community as a member of the North Crow Creek Women’s Club, PEO, Home Demonstration and the Democratic Central Committee, signing up people to vote. She enjoyed luncheons with various groups of friends, card parties, huckleberry picking trips, family trips to the cabin, and skiing at Big Mountain in Whitefish. She and Bill travelled extensively to Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. She also traveled to Russia with her friend Marguerite Schenck, and to Hawaii with her granddaughter, Tammy, when her daughter Susan was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center, and to Italy with Vivian Aylesworth when Susan was stationed at Caserma Ederle (45th Field Hospital) in Vicenza, Italy.
She is survived by her loving husband, Bill; seven children, Susan, Marilyn Jette (Garold), Marjorie Haviland (Esther Abahazy), Evelyn Brugger, Bill Hocker (Sherrie) Amy McKenzie, and Jon Hocker (Karen); 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great great-granddaughter.
Services have been held.
Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.shriderthompson.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Shrider Thompson Funeral Home and Crematory.
