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David J. Pickhinke, 86, of Storm Lake died Friday, April 19, 2024, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.
Funeral Mass will take place Friday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 25, from 4-8 p.m. with Rosary at 4 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
David Joseph Pickhinke was born Oct. 28, 1937 in Howells, Neb., to Frank and Otilda (Dostal) Pickhinke. He was two years old when he moved to Early with his family while his mother, Tillie, said he cried the whole way. He attended Sacred Heart School in Early and graduated in 1956. David served in the National Guard/Reserves from 1959 to 1964.
David married Jean Tentinger on Sept. 1, 1962, in Remsen. They raised their family of four children: Gwen, Steve, Russ and Ellen on their farm southwest of Early. Together, they welcomed 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. David retired from farming in 2003 and moved to Storm Lake where he enjoyed retirement, while helping Steve and Russ on the farm.
David was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early until moving to Storm Lake, where he has been a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Throughout his life, David was active in his community, serving on the Early Elevator Board, church funeral dinner committee and assisted with Early Bingo.
Fishing with his family brought David joy. He had successfully taught all his grandchildren to play cards (maybe a little too well since they have won a game or two). One of his favorite sayings was “No friends in a card game!”
He loved Polka music and going dancing with Jean. For many years, David was part of the antique tractor pulling group in which he pulled with his 1938 John Deere G. David took many memorable trips including traveling to the Holy Land, China, Egypt, Hawaii, Vegas, Greece/Turkey and a bus trip to California, Texas.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Gwen (Steve) Peters of Marcus; Steve (Tracy) Pickhinke of Early; Russell (Lisa) Pickhinke of Sac City; Ellen (Travis) Bolton of Olathe, Kan.; grandchildren: John (Kelly) Peters of Cleghorn; Emily Peters of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Lisa Peters of Marcus; David Peters (fiancé Erica Engelhaupt) of Marcus; Tyler (Alaina Kauffman) Pickhinke of Omaha, Neb.; Alex (fiancé Julia Black) Pickhinke of Eagan, Minn.; Connor (Hope Dohlman) Pickhinke of Early; Logan Pickhinke of Early; Ashley Pickhinke of Bennington, Neb.; Brad Pickhinke of Chicago, Ill.; Megan Pickhinke of North Liberty; Valerie, Hope and Luke Bolton of Olathe, Kan.; great-grandchildren: Heidi, Kurtis and Garrett Peters; siblings: Donald (Marilyn) Pickhinke of Schaller; Ervin (Shirley) Pickhinke of Sioux City; Eugene (Eileen) Pickhinke of Early; sister-in-law Bernadine Pickhinke of Nemaha; Jean’s siblings and spouses: Janice Coon of Carroll; Marilyn Sohm of Rochester, Minn.; Mike (Ann) Tentinger of Remsen; Pat (Fran) Tentinger of Des Moines; Jerry (Pat) Tentinger of Remsen; Deb Tentinger of McKinney, Texas: Chuck (Jo) Tentinger of Remsen; Mary (Roger) Welsh of Norwalk, Ohio; many nieces and nephews; extended family and coffee friends.
David was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean Pickhinke in 2017; parents, Frank and Otilda Pickhinke; siblings: Ed (Vivalee) Pickhinke, Leonard Pickhinke and Alice (Don) Pudenz; parents-in-law, Erwin and Marie Tentinger; brothers-in-law: John Coon, Paul Sohm and Tom Tentinger.
Join the family for food and fellowship after the burial at St. Joseph Parish Hall in Storm Lake.
