Peter John Block

Peter John Block, 70, of Sioux City, IA passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 8, 2016 in Aurora, CO.

Services will be held at 11 am Friday, December 16, 2016 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City, IA with Father David Hemann officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, IA. Graveside military honors will be conducted by Post 220 American Legion and Post 3328 VFW both of Remsen. Visitation with family present will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday with a rosary at 5 p.m. by the Knights of Columbus and vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. all at St. Michael Catholic Church. Services have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument of Remsen.

Pete was born on September 2, 1946 in Sibley, IA to the late Henry and Johanna (Friedrich) Block. He grew up in Marcus, IA and was part of the final graduating class at Holy Name Catholic High School in 1965. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in February, 1967 and proudly served his country in active duty in Korea for one year and returned home on standby reserve until he was honorably discharged in October, 1971.

He married Mary Galles on June 20, 1970 at St. Mary’s Church in Remsen, and they made their permanent home in Sioux City, IA. They were members of St. Michael Parish and together they raised eight children, Anita, Chris, Sheila, Lisa, Jennifer, Kimberly, Ryan and Karla.
Pete graduated from Western Iowa Tech as a Certified Automotive Mechanic in 1970 and started his career at Bob Taggatz Pontiac in Sioux City. He then worked at JCPenney Automotive until he opened his own full-service gas station, Jackson Street Standard, in 1983, where he met numerous people who became life-long friends. Pete worked on cars throughout his life until he retired in 2013.

He devoted his life to his faith and his family and they were his greatest joy. His smile and laugh were contagious and his desire and willingness to help others was a shining example to all. He loved watching old westerns, fixing anything, barbecuing on his Traeger Grill, cutting the grass on his riding lawn mower, and especially taking trips with Mary around the country to visit their children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed volunteering his time at St. Michael Church and with the Knights of Columbus.

He will be dearly missed by all, including his wife Mary; children Chris (Todd) VanDorn of Omaha, NE, Sheila (Larry) Rohatsch of Omaha, Lisa (Matt) Cave of Omaha, Jennifer (Scott) Buttler of Aurora, CO, Kimberly Block of Las Vegas, NV, Ryan Block of Omaha, and Karla (Dan) Chapman of Minneapolis, MN; son in-law, Mike Rodgers of Meridian, ID; grandchildren, Dylan Rodgers, Cole, Caitlyn and Camden VanDorn, Aubrey Rohatsch, Ben, Greg, Alex and Ellie Cave, Addison, Avery and Alexa Buttler, Noah, Lillian, Caleb and Violet Chapman; siblings, Joe (JoAnn) Block of LeMars, IA, Marie Hagert of Remsen, Bob (Sue) Block of Bloomington, IL, Lucy (Bob) Price of LeMars; in-laws, Dale (Rose) Galles of Marcus, IA, Marilyn (Terry) Bunkers of Remsen, IA, Audrey (Gilbert) Weiler of LeMars, IA, Carol (Gary) Christoffel of Granville, IA, Bonnie (Stan) Meyer of Ireton, IA, Laurie (Alan) Schroeder of Granville, IA, Karen (Randy) Portz of Remsen, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Pete was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Anita Rodgers, his parents, Henry and Johanna Block, his father-in-law and mother in-law, Milton and Arlene Galles, his brothers in-law, Harry Hagert and Don Galles both of Remsen, niece, Angel Bunkers of Remsen and nephews, Dustin Christoffel of Granville, John Hagert of Remsen, and Brent Weiler of Sioux Falls, SD. His family takes comfort knowing he was welcomed into heaven by so many loved ones who passed before him.