Melva Rae Pinkelman

Melva Pinkelman

HARTINGTON — Melva Rae Pinkelman, 86, Hartington, died Nov. 20, 2022, at Park View Haven Nursing Home, Coleridge. Funeral Services were Nov. 26 at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington, with Mrs. Joyce Cook officiating. Burial was at St. Michael’s Cemetery, at a later date. Visitation with her body present was Saturday. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington. Melva Rae was born Dec. 10, 1935, in Dixon, to Ernest Emery and Mabel Mae (Fitch) Knoell. She grew up in Dixon, and graduated from Dixon High School in 1953. She attended Wayne State College and received her Normal Teaching Certificate. Melva taught country school in Laurel for two years, in Dixon County for one year, and in Pender for three years. She moved to Sioux City, Iowa, and worked for Wilson Transfer Company for several years. Melva worked as a billing clerk for Rosenthal Fruit and Wholesale Company, Sioux City, for several years until 1973. She married Earl Louis Pinkelman Oct. 6, 1973, in Dixon. They lived in Hartington and she helped Earl in his milk delivery business. She also worked at the Nursing Home in Hartington from 1981-1988.

Melva liked to bowl and do embroidery work. She also was entertained by playing video games.

Melva is survived by her three step children, Vicky Roberts and Doug Heitman, Hartington; Randy (Vicky) Pinkelman. Hartington; Lori (Tim) Sjoquist. Eden Prairie, Minn.; two sons-in-law, Del Potter, Neligh, and Ron Potter, Valentine; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; sister, Marlene (Milfred “Bud”) Petersen, Hinton, Iowa; sister-in-law, Lois Knoell, Omaha; brother-in-law, Jerry (Barb) Stolze, South Sioux City; and many nieces and nephews.

Melva was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mabel Knoell: step children, Janet Potter, Joyce Potter, Bill Pinkelman; two sisters, Bonnie (Carol) Hirchert, JoEllen Stolze; brothers, Boyd Knoell, Donald (Bonnie) Knoell; granddaughter, Virginia Soto; and grandson, Mike Pinkelman.