Kevin J. Ochocki, age 66, of Canby, MN, passed away Monday, May 6, 2024 at the River Oaks Care Center in Watertown, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby, MN with Fr. Ron Huberty celebrating. Visitation will be 5 – 7 pm with a 7 pm Prayer Service and Rosary to follow on Monday, May 27, 2024 at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, MN. Visitation will resume Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Canby, MN.
Kevin John Ochocki was born September 26, 1957 in Canby, MN to Michael B. and Lilly Erma (Schwartz) Ochocki. He attended St. Peter’s Catholic School through the 8th Grade and then Canby High School where he graduated with the class of 1975. He then went to Alexandria VoTech for law enforcement. On June 5, 1975 he was married to his high school sweetheart, Debra Schmidt. They lived in Alexandria until 1979 and then moved back to Canby where he started Ochocki Construction. He was a great carpenter and did a lot of farm buildings. In September 1986, Kevin was paralyzed from the waist down from a spinal blood clot and went through physical therapy to recover. He began working as a janitor at Canby High School and worked for Gordy’s Locker. In 1988, he attended Canby VoTech and finished two years of accounting. He then worked for Lac Qui Parle County Family Services as an accountant and also went for training to become a child support officer. In 1983, they bought their hobby farm. They had “Old McDonald’s” farm and enjoyed their little farm with their boys. On July 14, 1996, their lives changed forever after a tractor accident. Kevin was in a wheelchair after this. He worked another 12 years; loading and unloading his wheelchair. The Lord was our strength in this. He was very strong and made life work for him, making many adjustments. After no longer working, he was a great homemaker and never lost his spark for life. He then began having difficulty and his physical being, so Deb retired early and cared for him at home. They made a great team during this time and enjoyed each other’s company. He enjoyed reading, coin collecting, doing word working, playing cards and games. Also enjoyed hunting and his boys and grandchildren, processing meat with his boys and friends. He enjoyed the Ochocki reunion every summer at their farm where lots of great memories were made. They spent lots of time fishing and camping as a family as well. Kevin served as a cantor at church, was in the choir and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Kevin is survived by his soulmate, Deb Ochocki, sons: Jason (Jen) Ochocki of Mantorville and Joshua Ochocki of West Fargo; grandchildren: Jacob, Dylan, Ryan and Joey Ochocki; and step-grandsons: Brody Rustad Tyler Kropp and granddaughters: Sophie, Emily and Lucy Ochocki; two siblings: Ralph (Kathy) Ochocki, Hendricks, MN and Monica (Ed) English, Kingsville, MO and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Michael Ochocki and nephew Daniel.
