Stephen K. Rocke

Stephen Rocke Obituary

Stephen K.

ROCKE

February 24, 1943 - February 24, 2010 "What are the odds?" Stephen K. Rocke, 67, of Reno, NV passed away on February 24, 2010. He was born in "The Bronx" New York, and spent the rest of his life in Los Angeles, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Reno, NV. He spent his life in gaming and auto sales, and was the proud owner of Steve's Auto Sales in the 1980's. Steve loved clothes, food, animals, music, movies, history books, cars, boats, motorcycles, guns, camping, sports, poker, kids, friends and family, and enjoyed these things to the fullest every day of his long beautiful life. Steve Rocke defeated Cancer and made it look easy.

He is survived by his wife Erlinda Rocke, sons Blaine Rocke and Gregory Rocke, daughter Laura Rocke, sister Ona Gritz, stepsons Dan, Mike, Neil and Aliel Manuel, and stepdaughter Omega Zareno, and their respective families, five nephews, two nieces, nine grandchildren with another grandchild expected in early fall, and countless friends.

Memorial services will be held Monday, March 15, at 3 p.m. at the Grand Sierra Resort. Please contact Gregory Rocke at 775-813-0939 in regards to memorial services.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Feb. 28, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Rocke

10 Entries

March 17, 2010

Thirty-two years ago, March 15,2010, Steve Rocke asked me to go steady!...I thought he was kidding! He wasn't. So began the second chapter of our lives' story. The first chapter began in 1968..soon after my father retired from the service and we relocated to Las Vegas, NV. Only after meeting Vance, Gene, Janie and Blaine Rocke, did I finally meet Steve. On a ride home, after babysitting Blaine (then four and a half yrs old) Steve Rocke (that's what I called him for 10 yrs, as 'the babysitter'!)and I began to know each other. I still remember that car (anyone who knows him, knows there were hundreds of cars in his lifetime...his banker knew him by his 'pink slip'...for all you car dealers out there!), and that ride and our first conversation. Why? I don't know; but, it all started making sense in February 1978. After being 'Steve Rocke', Blaine's Dad, for 10 years, in the blink of an eye and in a single statement of, "I always thought I could fall in love with you" and I replied, "So do!"...we did and were married that November. Nine months and 1 week later, Gregory David was born, and 2 years, 10 months, 30 days, and 826 minutes later, Laura Elizabeth was born! PHEW, that took some calculating! Although, I wasn't there when Blaine was born in November of 1963, I know then as I knew when we had Greg and Laura, that those 3 days were absolutely in the TOP TEN happiest moments in Steve's life. Now, after 41 years of being in Steve's life, and mine in his, that it was MEANT TO BE, for whatever reasons. And although we sometimes question our lives and experiences, both sad and happy, easy and hard, etc., I don't question too much anymore, as I reflect back to that car ride 41 years ago and, friends and family call to tell me how beautiful and extraordinary the "Celebration of his life and Memorial" was on March 15, 2010 was, there is certainly NO DOUBT in my being about 'this book' he and I (unknowingly) began 41 years ago. To Laura Elizabeth, Gregory David, and my dear, sweet Blaine Gordon; it was ALL because of YOU! I only hope I can continue this fascinating, compelling, and, yes, sometimes CRAZY story with all of you, his descendants, and 'those' still yet to come, because I never want it to end. So, let's all TURN THE PAGE and keep writing, what some might think or believe, was and is, one of the GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD! My love, respect and kindest wishes are with all of you , his wife, Linda, and her family, my Walliman family, and the hundreds, maybe thousands, of friends we have been so cherished by in our lifetime. GOD BLESS, GOD SPEED, and we'll see you there, Dad and Steve, in our dreams, and you will always remain in our HEARTS. Ask Dad (Gordon) to 'strike up the band' and play the 1812 Overture...you earned it! Love Forever and Always, Terri Rocke

Omega Zareno

March 11, 2010

Seven years ago, my mom brings this guy home and says, "This is Steve." I thought, "wow, mom's dating a white guy." But more importantly, she was DATING someone! I was really happy for her. After my mom met Steve, I didn't see her much. They were always traveling and doing all kinds of fun stuff. My mother can't even ride a bicycle, so we all got a kick out of seeing her in leather riding on the back of Steve's motorcycle. I was glad that Steve was keeping my mom busy. She really needed to have some fun in her life and Steve was heaven sent. Motorcyle rides, camping, boating, and traveling frequently was a great change from mom's "work-sleep-eat" life. I thought it was cute how she just stopped coming home and slowly moved her clothes and other stuff over to Steve's house. I was very happy for her and Steve, but I actually missed having mom around in those days. I would get excited when she would call me, but it was usually to ask me to watch the house and feed the dog while she and Steve go out of town. I didn't mind at all. Steve would tell me, "Eat whatever you want, order pay-per-view movies, have some friends over, make yourself at home." I always felt welcome in Steve's house. He would always invite us over for football games or to just hang out and watch movies. Steve was the nicest guy and I was totally stoked when they came home from a Sturgis and told us they got married. I thought it was cool having a stepdad on a Harley. Steve was so wonderful to us. When my daughter was born, Steve would ask us to come over more often, or invite us out to dinner. He would joke around saying, "We really just want to see your little one." But we all know that he wasn't joking. He loved my daughter so much and would tell me so every time I saw him. There were a couple of times when Steve said to me, "I wish I would be around to see these kids grow up. I love them all so much." I wish he could have stayed around also, but I'm just really grateful for the time we got to spend with Steve. My daughter is almost three-years-old and she knows who Grandpa Steve is, and her daddy and I will help her remember him as she grows up. We can never repay him for all he has done for us, so owe him at least that. Thanks for everything, Steve. We love you!

Tammy Malloy

March 4, 2010

I wish to send my most sincere condolences to Greg and Laura and the rest of the Rocke family. There are not enough good words in the world to describe Steve Rocke. Steve was such a great part of all of our lives growing up (with Greg & Laura) and he will be deeply missed by all!!
Brien you are funny because I can totally picture Steve shaving & pacing the hallway in his boxers, white tee and black socks, especially on game days or before he was leaving for work!! :)
Steve loved his kids with all of his heart & it really showed! When Steve had a great passion for something, he definitely didn't hide it...and his passion for all of his kids was obvious!
Too often (especially lately) the bestest people on the planet seem to be 'taken away' from us waaaay too soon...but we must remember that they will always be with us in our hearts and memories forever & ever and they will always be our angels to watch over us!
We must remember that WE are the lucky ones to have spent all the years that we did with our angels and be thankful for every moment that we got to be with them!
Steve will never be forgotten and is in good company up in heaven...I know my Dad (who I lost June 2nd, 2008)and my step-mom (who I lost Oct. 28th, 2008) and Steve are probably having a blast doing what they love and being who they are and watching their children and families continue to grow & do good in the world! They all loved life to the fullest and now they can carry on free from all the pain and suffering!
I know it's completely numbing right now dealing with the loss of such a wonderful man, but I wish you all love and peace now, in the near future and even more peace in the years to come...
It will always hurt this much...but it won't always hurt this bad...
Love & deepest sympathy to you all!
Take good care~

Brien Hayes

March 4, 2010

Some of my fondest memories of growing up were those of spending time with the Rocke family. I will never forget Steve wearing a white T-shirt, boxers, black socks, while shaving and pacing back and forth between his bathroom and the livingroom, so excited about our next football game, that he could not stay still long enough to get ready for work. His passion exceeded even our's at times. I spoke to him a few months ago, and even though his cancer had returned, he still had such a positive attitude towards life. Steve was a great man, who will be missed by many.
My condolences to the Rocke family.

Bo Sellers

March 2, 2010

I wanted to take the time to give my condolences to the Rocke family for there loss. Steve was a great man and a loyal person to his family and friends. I was good friends with Greg throughout high school and no one was a better fan and supproter at our football games than Steve Rocke. He would take us to dinner all the time so we (the offensive line) would block for Greg. I'm glad I got the privelage of knowing him and his family. He will be missed

Janie Capri

March 1, 2010

I have known Steve since i was 15 yrs old and was given the greatest gift,our son Blaine who was extremly close to his Dad. I also am so happy to have Greg and Laura a part of my life as they are such a part of Steve and my longtime friend Terry. We have great memories of him and he will be deeply missed forever. We were married at 16 so he was a big part of my life. He always knew what good movies to see and loved riding motorcycles. We won best looking bike at Death Valley with his first sportster. He always had new cars,He loved his toys and enjoyed his life to the fullest.I am so happy he found Linda to enjoy the tough times he went through. He told me he had never been happier so she was a blessing to him when He really needed someone. I see him daily in our son so he will never be out of our minds and hearts.

Janie Capri

March 1, 2010

I have known Steve since I was 15yrs.and had the greatest gift I ever received by sharing a child with him,our son Blaine. I also love Greg @ Laura as they are a part of him and my longtime friend Terry. We will cherish all the good memories we all shared together and he will never leave our hearts.We were married at 16 so he will never be forgotten by me.....Janie Rocke Capri

February 28, 2010

Steve, Such a great man.
Thanks for always being there for us. You kept us on our toe's, humble, and told it like it is. You were truley one in a million... (a million bad jokes) Ha! love you man, ride fast on the open road. Benny Guild

Omega Zareno

February 28, 2010

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one or all of the following organizations:

American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)
St. Baldricks Foundations (www.stbaldricks.org/participants/OmegaZareno)
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://pages.teamintraining.org/sac/ambbr10/ozareno)

February 28, 2010

I was so fortunate to have known Steve. You meet some very special people in your life. Steve was such an important part of all three of my sons life growing up. Especially Cody. He was like a second dad to him. I will always be so grateful to him for all he has done for my boys. He was one of the most caring men I have ever met. I know how much he loved his family, and how much he will be missed. My deepest sympathy goes out to your family. I thank god that he was such a part of our life. Kathi Czerkaski (Getz)

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