Ervin T. Pinske, age 97, of Twin Valley, Minnesota died Thursday, April 14, 2011 in Bridges Care Community, Ada, Minnesota.
Ervin Theodore Pinske, the son of Theodore and Mattie (Habedank) Pinske was born March 4, 1914 at home in Lake Ida Township, rural Gary, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school. On May 28, 1941, Ervin entered the United States Army serving his country during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge on November 16, 1945, he returned home and began farming with his brother, Ben. At that time, he purchased a home on Tulaby Lake near Waubun, Minnesota, where he lived. Although he lost his arm in a tragic farm accident, Ervin remained active. He moved to the Minneapolis, Minnesota, area for several years where he cared for his sister. While living in Minneapolis, Ervin also worked for a time as a cook and held many various jobs in the city. He wintered in Arizona for 21 years and later lived in Gary, Minnesota. Ervin then moved into Twin Valley to make his home.
For the past 10 years, Ervin had enjoyed the company of a parrot named Gullivar. He spent many hours teaching him to talk and truly treasured the time they spent together. Other favorite past times included sharing war stories and whittling. He was especially good at carving diamond willow canes. Ervin always had a large garden and flowers around his home. He kept very busy maintaining his own meticulous yard as well as helping the neighbors with their yard work. Each spring, Ervin could be found searching for mushrooms and fresh asparagus. While in Arizona, he spent most of his time visiting with friends and watching wildlife in the dessert.
Ervin is survived by one sister, Marjorie Hutchings of Kensington, CA and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Agnes Janusch, Alice Schafbuch, Delilah Stanford and Viola Wiegman and three brothers, Louis Pinske, Ben Pinske and Merlin Pinske.
A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley. Officiating was Pastor Robert Behling.
Inurnment was in the Twin Valley Memorial Garden Cemetery, Twin Valley.