Alice Marie Pudenz, 90, was born August 23, 1933, at Howells, NE, to parents Frank and Tillie (Dostal) Pickhinke. Alice, a longtime Odebolt, IA, resident and recently a resident at Rolling Meadows Senior Living, Carroll, IA, died November 13, 2023, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll. Alice was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. At age six she moved from Howells to Early, IA, and grew up on the family farm. Alice attended Sacred Heart School through the eighth grade and graduated from Early Consolidated School in 1951. After graduation, she worked at the Storm Lake Bakery, Early Bedel Drugstore, and Early Savings Bank before her marriage to Donald Pudenz in 1954. They farmed by Rockwell City, IA, for five years, then they moved to Fonda, IA, for seven years before settling and working together on the farm near Odebolt. Alice had a large vegetable garden and canned much of the produce. She loved to attend dances with Don at Lakewood Ballroom—and especially enjoyed polkas and waltzes.
   Alice had a strong faith and was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Ladies Society, and the Odebolt American Legion Auxiliary. In 2005, she moved to the town of Odebolt. Her last employment was at Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center as a dietary cook—a position she and the residents loved for 13 years. Alice’s baking specialties were homemade cinnamon rolls, apple strudel, and blarney stones. Alice grew many beautiful flowers—zinnias were her favorites. She loved to embroider and sew (especially quilts) which she gifted to many family members. She was an avid reader, having read hundreds of books in recent years.
  Alice truly enjoyed her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her loved ones.   
  Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Janet (Ken) Steinkamp, Dale (Diane) Pudenz, Loren (Sharon) Pudenz, Alan (Monica) Pudenz, Karen Klein (partner Shane Kepford), Joan (Rob) Taylor, Diane (Dave) Dick, Glenn (Jolene) Pudenz, Mary (Chris) Ross, Susan (Oscar) Medina, Sharon (Chris) Bieret, and Jayne (John) Klein; 43 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren, with 5 more expected; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ervin (Shirley) Pickhinke, Donald (Marilyn) Pickhinke, David Pickhinke, Eugene (Eileen) Pickhinke; sisters-in-law: Bernadine Pickhinke, Myrna Pudenz, and Leota Adamson; many nephews, nieces, other extended family members and friends.
   Alice was preceded in death by her husband Donald in 2001; parents Frank and Tillie Pickhinke; parents-in-law Ed and Frances Pudenz; grandson Alex Pudenz; brothers Edward Pickhinke and Leonard Pickhinke; sisters-in-law Vivalee Pickhinke, Jean Pickhinke, and Lois Pudenz; brothers-in-law Cletus Pudenz, Bob Adamson, and Linus Pudenz; nephew Warren Pudenz; and niece Jolene Daiker.

Immediately after burial services, lunch will be provided at the Odebolt Community Center. Memorials may be directed to the Odebolt Community Center or the Odebolt American Legion Auxiliary.

Thank you to the staff at Rolling Meadows Senior Living for the loving care you gave Alice. –The Pudenz Family