Iva Pitschka

LIFE HISTORY FOR IVA PITSCHKA
Iva Pitschka, age 95, lifetime resident of Osakis and longtime owner of the City Bakery in Osakis, entered the peace of Heaven on December 22, 2008 at the Community Memorial Home in Osakis where she was a resident.
Iva Holt was born on October 5, 1913 in Osakis to Christ and Anna (Klukken) Holt. She attended Osakis High School and graduated with the class of 1932. Iva worked for Idlewilde Resort and the local bakery as a young woman. On October 20, 1937, Iva was united in marriage to Emil Pitschka by Rev. Petzka at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids, MN. They purchased the bakery in Osakis in 1946 and operated it all of their working lives. Iva retired in 1998 at the age of 85. They were members of the Osakis Chamber of Commerce for years and were active promoters of Osakis. Iva was also a very active member of the Osakis Lutheran Church and served as church secretary for many years. She was on the church board, the calling committee, belonged to many Bible studies and was a member of the Rachel Circle.
Iva was a wonderful baker and was especially known for her beautiful handmade pies. She made hundreds of them every year in addition to all of the many delicious custom bridal, graduation and birthday cakes that she provided the residents of Osakis over her many years in business.
In her few hours of spare time at home, Iva liked to read and sew. Iva was also a wonderful letter writer, who always remembered family members on their birthdays with a personalized letter. She was a dedicated business owner and a kind and loving mother and grandma who will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Blessed be her memory.
She is survived by her four children, Charles 'Chuck' (Wendi) Pitschka of Minnetonka, Tom Pitschka of Alexandria, Ann Marie (Robert) Bielenberg of Stillwater and Donna (Richard) Aalberg of Bradenton, FL; 13 grandchildren; 17 great, grandchildren; 3 sisters-in-law, Ione Holt of Osakis, Hazel Holt of Alexandria and Helen Pitschka of Georgia. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Emil in 1992, a granddaughter, Janell Aalberg and 2 brothers, James and Alwood Holt.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 2:30 pm at the Osakis Lutheran Church with Rev. Ron Calvert officiating. A reading is to be given by Donna Aalberg and the life history read by Chuck Pitschka. Musicians are organist, Pat Converse, soloists are her grandsons, Tony Pitschka and Brent & Kiwi Bielenberg. Interment is at the Lakeside Cemetery in Osakis. Honorary pallbearers are all of her grandchildren and dear friends, Lorraine Johnson, LaVonne Schoeck, Ivy Nomeland, Harold Laven, Neil Gillis, Neumann Olson, Harold & Kathy Withers, Morris Klukken and Trish Brett.
Active bearers are Tom and Scott Pitschka, Dick Aalberg, Doug and Rick Holt, Ray Gabler.
Arrangements are with the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, M