Edward J. Pickar, 72, Sturgis, SD passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2023at Monument Health Home Plus Hospice in Rapid City.
Memorial Visitation for Ed will be from 5:00 PM -7:00 PM on Monday, December 18, 2023 at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, with Sharing of Memories beginning at 6:00 PM. Memorial Services for Ed will be at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis.
Edward J. Pickar was born March 11, 1951 at New Hampton, Iowa to Bernard and Joanne (Rausch) Pickar. He was raised in the North Washington area. Ed was baptized in the Catholic faith and attended parochial school. He graduated in 1969 from Charles City High School in Charles City, IA.
Ed married Ranae Prien on February 10, 1973 at Tripoli, IA. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary this spring. They were blessed with 3 sons: Eric in 1976, Brent in 1978, and Jeremy in 1981.
Ed was a cheese maker in IA, WI, PA, and SD. He owned his own gas company- Pickar’s Oil Co. He also delivered fuel for MG Oil and retired from CBH in 2018.
Ed and Ranae have lived in Blucksberg for 31 years. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, rock wall building, landscaping, playing euchre and reading. Ed was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Sturgis Scoopers. He enjoyed going to Scooper games especially football and basketball. Ed liked being outdoors; watching deer, turkeys, squirrels and birds in his yard. Ed loved spending time with his family and being at their activities.  His favorite activity was working on John Deere tractors with his brother Dave.
Ed served on the Blucksberg Mountain Estates water board, HOA and road district for over 28 years. He is a former member of Relay for Life-Meade County, Boy Scouts of America Leader, Order of Arrow of Light recipient and Western Dakota Antique Club Member. Ed was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and the Meade County Senior Center. He restored many tractors and sent them down to Dave’s farm in Sumner, Iowa. He loved going to visit the farm and working with the cows and tractors.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Joanne Pickar; brothers, Duane Pickar, Kevin Pickar; sister, Joan Garrett; and; and in-laws, William and Wilma Prien.
Survivors include, his wife Ranae Pickar; sons, Eric J. (Jessica) Pickar, Brent A. (Suzette) Pickar, Jeremy E. (Jessica) Pickar; grandchildren, Mason, Austin, Leah, Harper, and Ryder; brother; David (Ruth) Pickar; sisters, Audrey (Bill) Miller, Deb (Keith) Wolf, Norma Leach, Judy (Troy) Schott, Julie (Ron) Moravek; sister-in-law, Marlys (Tom) Berst; brother-in-law; Willard (Tami) Prien, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ed fought a courageous battle for 5 years against cancer but he never lost his smile or sense of humor. We want to thank the doctors and nurses from Sturgis Hospital, Cancer Care, and Monument Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Western Dakota Antique Club.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
