Anna Pickel's Obituary
Strength in Body, Soul and Spirit
The Raile family of North Dakota was already in full swing when Anna arrived into this world in January of 1924. The sixth of eleven children, she quickly learned the joy of family, the importance of giving and the value of hard work. Anna’ parents had arrived from Russia into a welcoming settlement camp for German immigrants. Life on the farm was both rewarding and challenging as the years of war and the Great Depression took its toll on society. Anna grew up to become strong in every way. Even though she peaked at 5’2” tall, she never tired of demonstrating her physical strength, usually by crushing pop cans with one hand, or flexing her biceps. With a firm Catholic upbringing, she became a very proper and demure young lady, committed to her chores and to her studies, at the same time, she was feisty, social and quite independent.
The Lure of the Big City
As soon as she was old enough to qualify for a job outside the farm, Anna gravitated to the excitement of the nearby city. Just a teenager, she would travel each day into town to her waitressing job at the Soda Fountain. She loved meeting new people and serving customers; so much so that upon graduating from Wishek High School, she took on a similar position at a Soda Fountain in Billings, Montana where her older sister had already settled. It did not take long at all before Oliver Pickel entered her diner and became part of her life. Within two weeks of meeting Anna, he had offered a proposal of marriage and a nickel to phone home for her parents’ permission. She was just 19 and ready for the most important job of all: to become a great wife and wonderful mother.
One D-Lightful Family
Oliver was a military man, serving his country in WWII. Anna lovingly awaited his return and before long, the family started to grow. Dean, Diana, Donnie, Debbie and Darlene arrived over the following ten years. There was not always a lot of money, but Anna and Oliver made events out of camping trips, fishing trips and annual 4th of July picnics at the waterfront. They made every day special by celebrating the joy of family and created many traditions along the way. Anna loved cooking and nurturing her family. Special occasions were always marked by lovingly meals prepared and food traditions religiously upheld. Everyone chose their favorite birthday meal each year; Southern fried chicken, potato soup and banana cream pies were popular requests. Easter featured ham, tacos and eventually lasagna but was never complete without the jelly-bean bunny cake. Christmas Eve and breakfast feasts were a cornucopia of delights and topped off each year with Mama’s rendition of Stille Nacht. Homemade donuts, chocolate pie, sausages and bologna sandwiches all hold special meaning because Mama made them with love.
Hard Work and Lots of Play
Anna rarely sat down or took time for herself, except, of course, for the evening ritual of popcorn, coffee and Wheel of Fortune. She had a rather delightful sense of humor that seemed to increase with age. Ann and Oliver made a perfect team, they were a cohesive unit that worked side by side like a well-oiled machine. In the early years, Oliver worked at the North West Steel Mill and later as a Custodian at Lincoln High School. Anna worked cleaning houses to help make ends meet, more so when Oliver hurt his back and finances were tight. They were a pair who loved to travel just as much as they loved to stay up all night playing cards with their family and friends, or tune in to the Grand Old Opry. When the grandchildren arrived, they were welcomed and loved dearly. Anna continued to instill the teachings of her faith and the traditions held strong with family values. She made sure they took heed when she taught them to “Waste not, want not” and to “Excuse your reach”.
A Life Lived by the Book
Anna lived an exemplary life. She was devoted to her family and to her Lord. She joined the neighborhood Church of the Nazarene when she was 34 and remained a faithful woman of God throughout her life. With her trademark cowboy boots as a young girl, her poodly-hair and “Motorcycle Mama” leather jackets, Anna was a central figure who touched many lives. She attracted people to her side with her warmth and genuine care for others. She felt a deep loss that nothing could ever replace, when Oliver was no longer at her side after his passing 8 years ago. Her children and grandchildren
who now grieve her loss know for certain that she is again happy in the company of her Lord and Savior, and with her Oliver.
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