Barbara “Bobbie” (Elverud) Bock, 68, of Fargo, ND passed away on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at her home surrounded by her loving family while under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Barbara Jean “Bobbie”, daughter of Benedict “Ben” and Eileen (Grimsley) Thomas, was born on September 15, 1953 at Devils Lake ND. She grew up and was educated in Devils Lake attending St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Devils Lake Central. Throughout her life, Bobbie worked various jobs in food and customer service, which included Hardee’s, The Odd Fellows Home, Pugley’s, Only Deals and Walmart.
Bobbie was united in marriage to Neil Elverud on April 9, 1983 in Devils Lake where they lived, worked, and where they raised their three sons. They were very fortunate to be able to spend 28 years together as Neil passed away on July 1, 2011, after a short battle with cancer. Even after he passed, Bobbie stayed in contact with his siblings and extended family members as she was an important part of their family for 28 years.
Bobbie later moved to Fargo where she met Bruce Bock and they were married on May 23, 2017. With this new union they formed their own version of a “Brady Bunch” as Bruce had four daughters and Bobbie having three sons of her own.
Bobbie was an excellent cook and baker. Most requested was her famous macaroni salad or one of the MANY sweets included in her famous Christmas baking each year with her Ritz Cracker cookies or buttermilk brownies as top favorites. She loved playing Yahtzee, doing crossword puzzles, playing POGO (online) games, going to rummage sales, watching NCIS and Criminal Minds and most of all she enjoyed reading. If you asked her which author(s) were her favorite, Danielle Steele and James Patterson were at the top of her list. Bobbie’s laugh was infectious, she loved to sit around a table having conversation as long as it included MANY pots of good coffee, which ironically, earned her the title of Mrs. Olson. Family was very important to Bobbie. She loved everyone the same, no matter if they were blood or not. Some of her greatest memories included times she spent with her family. Her most prized title ever received was Grandma and loved being able to spend time with all her grandchildren.
Bobbie is survived by her husband, Bruce, Fargo; sons David (Lisa) Elverud, Devils Lake; Jesse Elverud (Jessica Dockter) Fargo; and Brandon (Chris) Novak, Fargo. Stepdaughters Trista (Steve) Blake, Fargo; Ky Bock, Dilworth, MN; Alysia (Luke) Taylor, Fargo and Siana (Amber) Bock, Palermo, ND. Grandsons Devin, Derek and Alexander Elverud; Granddaughters Danyel and Allyson Elverud and Step grandchildren Justin Viestenz, Kaitlin and Seralyn Blake, Elliannah, Temra, and Jakoby Taylor, Lacie Meyer, Raelene Roos and Kaiden Zeise-Bock. Sisters Bernie (Jim) Solwey, St. Michael, ND; Colleen (Buck) Joramo, Fargo; Kathy Hanson, Fargo; and Margie (Steve) Giauque, Bemidji, MN; sister-in-law Becky Thomas, Devils Lake; brothers Jim (Jani) Thomas, Minot; Mick Thomas, Bismarck and Bill (Lynne) Thomas, Pierre, SD. Sisters-in-law Susan Carver, Beaver Dam, WI and Carol (Jim) Smith, Friendship, WI; Neil’s siblings Brian Elverud, Leeds, ND; Dale (Connie) Elverud, Leeds, ND; Jayne (Tony) Nieman, Calvin, ND; Alan (Mel) Elverud, Leeds, ND; and Julie (Paul) Christensen, Churches Ferry, ND as well numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bobbie is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, husband, Neil Elverud; sister in infancy, Mary Carol Thomas; brother Benedict “Dennis” Thomas; nephews Travis and Kyle Thomas; Neil’s Mother and Father Harry and Adeline Elverud; Bruce’s Mother Esther Paulus, Neil’s niece Savanna Nieman as well as numerous aunts and uncles.
Bobbie was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and dear friend and will be greatly missed.