James Harold Brockel went into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Monument Health in Rapid City, SD.

Funeral services for James, 82, of Rapid City, SD, formerly of Aberdeen, SD, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church, with Pastor Nicole Martin officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Aberdeen.

Visitation will be Friday, August 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 South Main Street, with family present. A prayer service will be held at 6:00 p.m.

James was born July 28, 1944, to Gottlieb and Carolyn (Klingman) Brockel in Bowdle, SD. He grew up in Aberdeen, where he attended school and graduated from Central High School.

On July 11, 1964, James was united in marriage to Janice Gilbert at Zion Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. Together, James and Janice built a life and raised their family, eventually taking them from South Dakota to Colorado and back home to South Dakota.

Throughout his working years, James was a dedicated and hardworking man who always stayed busy. He served in the South Dakota National Guard from 1963 to 1969 and assisted with recovery efforts following the Aberdeen flood. James worked at K.O. Lee Company for 15 years before moving with his family to Colorado in 1979. While living in Colorado, he worked for Advanced Plumbing and Heating and later retired from High Country Pools. After 28 years in Colorado, James and Janice returned to South Dakota in 2007, eventually making their home in Rapid City. Even in retirement, James continued to stay busy, working part-time at Black Hills Nursery.

Faith remained an important part of James’ life wherever he called home. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, Spirit of Joy Church in Fort Collins, CO, and South Canyon Lutheran Church in Rapid City, SD.

James had many interests throughout his life. In his younger years, he raced a modified car bearing the number 5 at Brown County Speedway. He also loved fishing and playing cards, pastimes that brought him enjoyment and many opportunities to spend time with family and friends.

Grateful for having shared James’ life are his wife, Janice Brockel; his brother, JoRay Brockel; his sister in-laws Shirley Brockel, Lois (Dennis) Finnegan, Shirley Steele, Marilyn Gilbert and Donna Brockel; brother-in-law Loyd Whatley, his children, Bernadette Remson, Bret Brockel, Brad Brockel, Bridget (Kirk) Koehler, and Danielle (Bradley) Puckett; his grandchildren, Brittany Brockel, Chelsea Brockel, Derek Matterson, Zach Brockel, Nicolas Koehler, Gage Koehler, J.T. Flint, Jaxsen Flint, and Leanna Puckett; his great-grandchildren, Emma Jones and Logan Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Gottlieb and Carolyn Brockel; his brothers, Morgan, Donald, Ted, and Glenn Brockel; his brothers-in-law, Danny Steele and Donald Gilbert; his sisters-in-law, Myrene Brockel, Donna Brockel, Nan Whatley and Linda Brockel; his daughter, Bernadette Remson; and his daughter-in-law, Trisha Brockel.

The family is grateful for all the support and love from our friends and neighbors.