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Alice Marie Pudenz, 90, was born Aug. 23, 1933, at Howells, Neb., to parents Frank and Tillie (Dostal) Pickhinke. Alice, a longtime Odebolt resident and recently a resident at Rolling Meadows Senior Living in Carroll, died Nov. 13, 2023, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.
Alice was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. At age six she moved from Howells to Early, and grew up on the family farm. Alice attended Sacred Heart School through the eighth grade and graduated from Early Consolidated School in 1951. After graduation, she worked at Storm Lake Bakery, Early Bedel Drugstore and Early Savings Bank before her marriage to Donald Pudenz in 1954. They farmed by Rockwell City for five years, then they moved to Fonda for seven years, before settling and working together on the farm near Odebolt. Alice had a large vegetable garden and canned much of the produce. She loved to attend dances with Don at Lakewood Ballroom — and especially enjoyed polkas and waltzes.
Alice had a strong faith and was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Ladies Society and American Legion Auxiliary. In 2005 she moved to Odebolt. Her last employment was at Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center as a dietary cook — a position she and the residents loved for 13 years. Alice’s baking specialties were homemade cinnamon rolls, apple strudel and blarney stones. Alice grew many beautiful flowers — zinnias were her favorites. She loved to embroider and sew (especially quilts) which she gifted to many family members. She was an avid reader, having read hundreds of books in recent years.
Alice truly enjoyed her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her loved ones.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Janet (Ken) Steinkamp, Dale (Diane) Pudenz, Loren (Sharon) Pudenz, Alan (Monica) Pudenz, Karen Klein (partner Shane Kepford), Joan (Rob) Taylor, Diane (Dave) Dick, Glenn (Jolene) Pudenz, Mary (Chris) Ross, Susan (Oscar) Medina, Sharon (Chris) Bieret and Jayne (John) Klein; 43 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren, with five more expected; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Ervin (Shirley) Pickhinke, Donald (Marilyn) Pickhinke, David Pickhinke and Eugene (Eileen) Pickhinke; sisters-in-law: Bernadine Pickhinke, Myrna Pudenz and Leota Adamson; many nephews, nieces other extended family members and friends.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband Donald in 2001; parents Frank and Tillie Pickhinke; parents-in-law Ed and Frances Pudenz; grandson Alex Pudenz; brothers, Edward Pickhinke and Leonard Pickhinke; sisters-in-law: Vivalee Pickhinke, Jean Pickhinke and Lois Pudenz; brothers-in-law: Cletus Pudenz, Bob Adamson and Linus Pudenz; nephew Warren Pudenz; and niece Jolene Daiker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 20, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt. Burial will take place at St. Martin’s Catholic Cemetery in Odebolt. Rosary will be at 1:30 p.m. followed by Visitation from 2-4 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Odebolt has been entrusted to care for Alice and her family.
