Pannkuk, Herbert 'Herb' Boyd

Herbert “Herb” Boyd Pannkuk of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Buffalo Center, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Jan. 22, 2013, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Herb was born to Boyd and Gesena (Boelts) Pannkuk on Sept. 10, 1928, at his parents' farm home in German Valley, Iowa. Herb attended country school in German Township and Buffalo Center. Following schooling, he served in the United States Army in Trieste, Italy from 1949-1952. He often reminisced about his time in Trieste, including his favorite assignment as an infantry driver. He proudly served our country and appreciated the opportunities to see the world that were provided with being in the military. Upon returning to the states, he settled in Buffalo Center and accepted employment as a lineman for the Rural Telephone Association. Shortly thereafter he met his bride and married Patricia “Pat” Berger in Forest City, Iowa on June 9, 1953. His wife of 59 years survives.

He was employed at the Farmers Cooperative Elevator in Buffalo Center and eventually served as branch manager at its Lakota site. After retiring from the elevator, he was employed by Wilson's Super Valu in Buffalo Center.

Herb was a devoted father, husband and great storyteller who relished time with family and friends. He taught his children through example, the power of education, hard work, and commitment. Faith, family and forgiveness were central to his life and he reminded his children and grandchildren about living a life centered on these values. He enjoyed playing cards often making a bid much higher than his cards could support, and taking a ride in the country to check out the crops. Herb was a thinker, and had creative solutions for problem solving. He enjoyed sports, faithfully cheering on the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, the Iowa Hawkeyes and his own children and grandchildren.

Herb was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church of Buffalo Center until he moved to Cedar Rapids, where he became a member of St. Pius X Church.

He is survived by his children, Mike (Mary) Pannkuk of Bemidji, Minn., Dorothy (Duane) Lemke of Bettendorf, Bob (Patty) Pannkuk of Woodbury, Minn., Mary (Mark) Christensen of Quincy, Ill., Mark (Lisa) Pannkuk of Cedar Rapids, and Karen (Randy) Luken of Lee's Summit, Mo.; grandchildren, Sarah (Jake) Maas of Minneapolis, David Pannkuk of Huntington, Ind., Anne Marie Christensen of St. Louis, Mo., Kirstin Pannkuk of Iowa City, Conrad Pannkuk of Ames and Ella Pannkuk of Cedar Rapids; one brother, Bernard (LuElla) Pannkuk of Britt; brother-in-law, Melvin Post of Algona; sister-in-law, Rina Pannkuk of Des Moines; and many nieces and nephews. He was eagerly anticipating the March arrival of his first great-grandchild, Baby Maas.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Paula; his parents and parents-in-law; his brother, Boyd Pannkuk; and sisters, Frances (John) Brunsen, Bertha (Raleigh) Hesley and Bernice Post.

Memorials can be made to St. Patrick's Church of Buffalo Center, St. Pius X Church of Cedar Rapid or Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy of Hiawatha.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Buffalo Center, with Father Dennis Miller officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center and one hour before the service. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center.

Online condolences can be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com

Published Jan. 24, 2013 in The Gazette