Obituaries : Edward J. Pickart

Edward J. Pickart, 95, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, July 29, 2024. Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:00 P.M., Saturday, August 3, at Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home, Vinton.

Ed was born March 27, 1929, in Parkston, SD, the son of Anton and Lena (Bigge) Pickart. They moved to a farm near Norway when Ed was a small child. He attended school in Norway and started farming with his father at a young age.

Ed served in the United States Army from August 1951 to June 1953 as a wheeled mechanic and deployed to Korea. He was honorably discharged with rank of Sargeant First Class as a motor SGT. He then returned to Iowa to farm in Benton County, near Garrison, and was married to Carol Brown in 1956. Ed farmed on his own for many years and then partnered with his brother, Dick for several more years. He retired in 2005.

Anyone that knew Ed could see his lifelong passion for aviation. He got his private pilots license in 1959 and actively flew until September of 2017. He enjoyed building and restoring aircraft. His biggest project, working with his son-in-law, Dave Wilson, was a Fisher Horizon II (N203ED). Ed's maiden flight was on Orville & Wilbur Wrights 100th anniversary on December 17, 2003. Ed then fully restored a 1950 Piper Pacer (N73212K) which his son-in-law, Dave, currently flies. Dave made the maiden flight on November 28, 2000, and they flew the Piper Pacer to Oshkosh EAA AirVenture in July 2021 to celebrate.

Left to cherish Ed's memory are his two children, Denice (Greg) Williamson and Matt (Wendy) Pickart; son-in-law, David Wilson; grandchildren: Jill (Greg) Walton, Nick Williamson, Ashley (Dan) Beuker, Kasie Pickart, Michael (Lindsey) Pickart, and Ben (Madison) Wilson; great-grandchildren: Taylor Jane, Jackson, Kayleigh, Rhodes and Nolan (Jill); Emma (Ashley); Landon, Kenzie (Nick) and Eleanor, Piper (Ben); and siblings, Ilene Paulsen, Mary Schallau, Richard (Dianne) Pickart, and Linda (Joe) Kaloupek.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Carol; daughter, Teresa Wilson; granddaughter, Nicole Williamson; great-granddaughter, Brielle Wilson; siblings: Dorothy (Verlus) Glode, and John (Charlene) Pickart; and brothers-in-laws: Herbie Paulsen, and David Schallau.

Instead of flowers, please consider donations to HACAP Vinton, 202 E 4th Street, Vinton, IA, 52349, HACAP Corporate Office, 1515 Hawkeye Drive, Hiawatha, IA, 52233, or one of Ed's favorite aviation organizations, AAPM. Antique Airfield & Airpower Museum | Ottumwa, Iowa, Donate (paypal.com)

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.