Wayne Merwin Rockne
March 10, 1926 - December 21, 2016

Wayne M. "Rock" Rockne, 90, husband and father, passed into God's arms on Dec. 21, 2016, while at Providence Extended Care.
He was born in Pierce, Neb., on March 10, 1926, to Ole and Iva Rockne. In June of that year, his parents returned to Mission Hill, S.D., where he spent his first 17 years. After graduation from high school, he served in the Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific Theatre. He was involved with the invasion of Okinawa and the following surrender of Japan. Upon returning after the war, he became reacquainted with his soon to be wife Betty (Spear) and they were married in Yankton, S.D., on June 12, 1948. Together they raised five children.
With the help of the G.I. Bill, he continued his education. First at the University of South Dakota, and completed his degree work at Yankton College with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Math. It was during these college years, he had contracted polio, and needed to move closer to his family home for treatment and recovery.
After his completion of college, he began his career with the Western Department of General Adjustment Bureau in Jamestown, N.D. He worked in the Midwest states as an adjuster, manager and general adjuster out of Jamestown and Bismarck, N.D., Sioux City and Indianola, Iowa, until transferring to Anchorage, Alaska, with GAB as Regional General Adjuster in 1974. After 23 years with GAB, he joined Alyeska Pipeline Service Company with the building of the Alaska Pipeline as Insurance and Claims Administrator. He continued with the company until his retirement in 1986.
After retirement, Betty and Wayne traveled the United States to explore leaving Alaska. They decided Anchorage was their home. Alaska fit his outdoor rural lifestyle of hunting with each of his favorite hunting dogs, fishing and camping with friends and family. His ashes will remain in Alaska.
He was a member of the Lutheran Church, Masonic Bodies, Shrine, Elks, VFW, the Blue Goose (an insurance employee organization) and the Sons of Norway. He was a lifelong member of most of the organizations, and also volunteered many hours to the Cub and Boy Scouts while his boys were growing up in North Dakota.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; brother, David; sons, Thomas, Douglas (Cindy) and David (Patty); daughters, Barbara and Pamela (Keith); grandsons, Russell (Sarah) and Christopher; and great-grandchildren, Chloe, Ella and Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Iva; and siblings, Gerald, Lamar, Donald and Marilyn.
A memorial service will be held at Saint Mark Lutheran Church, 3220 Lake Otis Parkway, on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Carol George officiating. He wishes memorials to be made to Shriners Children Hospital , 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33609; or Sons of Norway Scholarship Fund, Bernt Balchen Lodge #2-46, 8141 Briarwood Street, Anchorage, AK 99518. Thank you to the team at Providence Extended Care Campus for their support. Arrangements entrusted to the Cremation Society of Alaska. 

Published Jan. 1, 2017 in Alaska Dispatch News