Rodney "Occo" Fink

Rodney R. “Occo” Fink, 78, of Waukon died Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Monday, January 25 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes, Fr. Donald Hawes and Deacon Mike Ward officiating. Burial was at St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery, rural Waukon.
Rodney Ray "Occo" Fink was born December 7, 1937 in Dorchester to Freeman and Velma (Smith) Fink. He was baptized at Dorchester Methodist Church and confirmed at Grace Methodist in New Albin. Occo graduated from New Albin High School.
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, spending 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, he 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, and Gregg (Jill) Fink and Jim (Jenny) Fink, both of Onalaska, WI; 13 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 brothers- and sisters-in-law: 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 preceded in death by two stillborn sons; his parents; his stepfather, Wally Mack; his father- and mother-in-law, Floyd and Florence Waters; three sisters-in-law: Sally Fink, Donna Fink and Joann Schwartzhoff; and a nephew, Tom Urell.
Honorary casketbearers were Occo's grandchildren, his past and present co-workers from Holland Bros./JB Holland, and his many special friends. Casketbearers were Dan, Dylan and Dakota Ness, Brennan and Corey Welsh, and Isaac Fink. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.