Victor E. Pinke

Victor Earl Pinke, 82, Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, at the Oakwood Care Center, in Clear Lake, after a brave battle with brain cancer.

A memorial service and celebration of his life was held on Monday, Nov. 10, at the Evangelical Free Church, 1310 Highway 18 West, Clear Lake, with Pastor Dan Jordan officiating. Military honors were conducted by members of the Clear Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars.   

Those wishing to give a memorial in his memory may wish to consider memorial contributions to Hospice of North Iowa, the Wartburg College Scholarship in his name, or to the Victor Pinke Memorial Fund.  

Victor Earl Pinke was born on March 4, 1932, in Elkton, Minn., the son of Max and Anna (Steingraber) Pinke.  Vic graduated from Elkton High School in 1950, he earned his BA degree from Wartburg College, in Waverly, Iowa, in 1955, and his MA degree from UNI in 1965.  A farm boy active in church, 4-H, and athletics prepared him for many leadership roles in his life.  Vic began teaching and coaching at Garnavillo High School in northern Iowa from 1955 until 1957.  He was inducted into the Army in 1957, and trained and became an instructor in Radio School, and was transferred to Ft. Meyer, Virginia attached to the 3rd Infantry Division Ceremonial Unit.  He also was designated the historian of the unit working on the display, artifacts and historical uniforms of the “Old Guard.”  Returning to Garnavillo in 1959, he coached girls basketball and boys baseball.  He also taught history and was high school guidance counselor.  He served as Director of Admissions at Wartburg College from 1963 until 1975.  

He was united in marriage to Joyce Snavely on July 10, 1965, in Oak Lawn, Ill. To this marriage three children were born, Beth, Brian and Ben, who grew up living on acreages in Waverly, Iowa, and Clear Lake.  

While working at Wartburg he also served as President of the Iowa Association of College Admissions Counselors from 1968 until 1970.  He was a member of the ACT Advisory Council from 1971 until 1975, and was active with North Iowa PDK, holding several offices including President. From 1975-1977 he was a high school guidance counselor in Osage, Iowa.   In 1977 until 1994, he served Northern Trails Area Education Agency as career development coordinator and later a staff development coordinator for teachers in the 28 school districts.  He was elected President of the Iowa Career Development Coordinators Association in 1979, and served as Executive Director of the IPGA for four years.  

Vic raised sheep for many years.  He enjoyed providing sheep for the live nativity at the Evangelical Free Church and the Clear Lake City Park.  He was the head usher at his church for 12 years.  He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, golfing, his tractors and his dog, Pepper.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joyce Pinke, of Clear Lake; three children, Beth (Todd) Schildroth, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Brian (Claudia Bornholdt) Pinke, of Washington, DC, and Benjamin (Laura) Pinke, of Hayden, Colo.; his grandchildren, Samantha, Ashley, and Lilly Schildroth, and Levi and Hannah Pinke; as well as many other extended relatives and friends.  

Vic was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Walter, Herbert, Kenneth, and Alvin; and a sister, Edna Meyer.

Vic said, “I believe Jesus, through the grace of God, died for the redemption of my sin.  His love inspires us to action which gives glory to God.”

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.