Rodney "Occo" Fink

Rodney "Occo" R. Fink, 78, of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 25th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes, Fr. Donald Hawes, and Deacon Mike Ward officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may call from 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 1:45 PM scripture service.

Rodney Ray "Occo" Fink was born December 7, 1937, in Dorchester, IA to Freeman and Velma (Smith) Fink. He was baptized at Dorchester Methodist Church and confirmed at Grace Methodist in New Albin, IA. Occo graduated from New Albin High School. On August 6, 1960, he married Mary Waters at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Albin. To this union, five children were born. Occo spent 62 years of his life working road construction, which he was very passionate about, and spent a short time working for both Riehm and Moyna Construction Companies and then the rest of his career as a foreman for Holland Brothers/JB Holland Construction. He loved going on road trips, often stopping by past and current job sites. He enjoyed taking vacations; going to Branson was one of his favorites!

He spent a lot of his free time hunting and fishing and enjoyed going out on the boat with his family. He enjoyed watching his son Tom and brother Pete race stock cars. Occo was a role model to each of his grandchildren and made it a point to go to all of their sporting events and activities. He supported the Iowa Lottery faithfully, did a crossword every day, and played many games of solitaire. More than anything Occo loved spending time with his loving wife Mary. He was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

He is survived by his wife Mary of Waukon; his children: Tom (Sandy) Fink and Teri (Kevin) Welsh, both of Waukon, Karen (Scott) Ness of Waterville, IA, and Gregg (Jill) Fink and Jim (Jenny) Fink, both of Onalaska, WI; thirteen grandchildren: Isaac Fink, Chelsea (Craig) Rodas, Brennan, Corey and Ciara Welsh, Dan (Kari), Dylan, and Dakota Ness, Brandon Fink, and Trevor, Zachary, Carson, and Anna Fink; as well as his special great-grand pup Fancy. Survivors also include his brothers and sisters: Joe Fink, Pete (Bernice) Fink, John Fink, Sheila (Lloyd) Colsch, Sherry (Lennie) Mellick, Mike (Shirley) Fink, Donna (Steve) Stortz, and Diane (Tom) Feuerhelm; his brother and sister-in-laws: Kate (Tony) Urell, Jim (Dorothy) Waters, Harold (Carol) Waters, Jim Schwartzhoff, Tom (Mary Jo) Waters, Jean (John) Gavin, and Ray (Jessica) Waters; and many nieces and nephews that adored him!

He was preceeded in death by two stillborn sons; his parents; stepfather Wally Mack; father and mother-in-law Floyd and Florence Waters; three sister-in-laws: Sally Fink, Donna Fink, and Joann Schwartzhoff; and a nephew Tom Urell.

Honorary casketbearers are Occo's grandchildren, his past and present co-workers from Holland Bros/JB Holland, and his many special friends. Casketbearers are Dan, Dylan, and Dakota Ness, Brennan and Corey Welsh, and Isaac Fink.