Iva "May" Rocchio

Funeral Services for Iva "May" Rocchio will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Jeff Adams officiating.  Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege following the services.

Iva "May" (Magill) Rocchio, 98 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes.  May was born August 16, 1916 in rural Phelps County, Nebraska, the third of seven children born to William and Iva (Potter) Magill. As a child she attended rural schools and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1934. Following graduation, May obtained her teaching certificate and taught for one year at District #26, the Magill School.

In 1935, she and her sister, Lucille moved to Denver to pursue employment. While there, she met her future husband, Joseph Rocchio, Jr. They were married on September 30, 1942 at the home of her parents.

May and Joe made their home in Denver for the next 60 years. They owned and operated ballrooms in Denver as well as a farm-ranch operation near Orchard, Colorado.

Most of their family at one time or another stayed at their home and were treated to tours of the Rockies. May was an excellent cook and many a happy meal was shared around her kitchen table. Her sisters, Lucille and Betty lived nearby and the times they spent together was a true joy in May's life.

Although the vast majority of her life was spent in Colorado, May always considered Holdrege and Phelps County her home. Whenever time permitted, she would return home to be with her parents and family. It was always a special event when May would return home via the Denver Zephyr. She assisted her parents in every way possible until their deaths.

May was a prolific letter writer and she remembered everyone with cards to commemorate the holidays and special occasions in their lives. It was a treat to receive a card or letter from her in her perfect spencerian penmanship.

May and Joe always raised a large garden and would always share their bounty with neighbors and friends. May baked a great deal and her Christmas platters and boxes were a treat for the eye as well as the tastebud.

May loved flowers. She and Joe grew beautiful roses and gladiolas which May would fashion into striking floral arrangements.

In 2002, Joe passed away a few weeks prior to their 60 ^th Wedding Anniversary. In May 2011, she returned to Holdrege, where she resided at Holdrege Memorial Homes until her passing.

She is survived by her sister, Lucille Woodard of Holdrege and her brother, Robert Magill and his wife, Berniece of Holdrege; several nieces and nephews and special friends, Al and Jean Pesek and Randy Freuling all of Denver.

Besides her parents and husband; she was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Holen; and brothers: Harold, Francis and Jay Magill.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in May's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.