Catherine E. Pinta- Pichelman

Catherine E. Pinta-Pichelman, age 81, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 21, 2016 surrounded by family at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines.

Cathy, as she was known by, was born on October 22, 1934 in Iowa City, Iowa to Stanley and Julia Baltunis (Tiekal). Cathy was raised in Mason City, Iowa and attended St. Joseph’s School. She was the youngest of six siblings and the only one born in a hospital.

Cathy was a waitress most of her life. She worked at the lunch counter at Woolworths in Mason City, where she met her first husband, Raymond Pinta, at the Barn Dance. They were married on December 8, 1954 in Mason City and soon made their home in Des Moines due to Ray’s job.

In 1957, Cathy gave birth to a son, Michael, her only child. In 1961, they moved to Clive, Iowa and in 1962, she started working at Dahl’s Grocery Store, at the lunch counter, where she stayed for 40 years before retiring in 2002. She also worked at Maid-Rite as a second job for 30 years, up until 2013.

Cathy lost her first husband in 1975 and shortly after met Duane Pichelman and they were married on December 26, 1976 in Alleman, Iowa. She and Duane traveled in Europe a few times and also spent winters in Weslaco, TX. Cathy became a widow for the second time in July of 2006. She sold her home and moved to an apartment before moving in with her son and his family in 2014 due to failing health.

Cathy was a lifetime member of the Polka Club of Iowa, which was founded by Duane.

She is survived by her son, Michael (Toni) Pinta of Des Moines; a brother, Stanley (Beverly) Baltunis of Des Moines; a sister, Rose Briggs of Robbinsdale, MN; four grandchildren, Kari Pinta, Brandon Pinta, Angie McDowell and Shanda Flippo, all of Des Moines; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., with funeral service immediately following at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

A very grateful thank you to the staff and nurses at Taylor House for making Catherine’s end of life comfortable and dignified. We cannot thank you enough.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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