Roger Elwood Pickett, 89, of Brookings, died Thursday, June 14, 2018, at the Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings. 

Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church in Brookings.  Burial is at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.  Visitation is Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings. 

Roger was born in Brookings on Aug. 25, 1928, to William J. and Anna (Anderson) Pickett.  On July 13, 1952, he married Gwenyth Joyce Batie in Lily and they made their home in Brookings.  Daughters Jill and Jodi made the family complete.  

 He served in the U.S. Air Force, worked with his father as a carpenter (Pickett’s Shop) for many years, and worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years.  

 A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he cared deeply for God, his church, and his family.  He was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Brookings and sang in the church choir for over 60 years.  

He was a dedicated Jackrabbit fan, a member of Prairie Wanderers Volksmarchers, VFW, and Dakota Woodcarvers Club.   His artistic eye and talent as a carpenter led him to a retirement hobby with woodcarving.  His family treasures the beautiful works of art he created for them before symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease required that he lay down his tools. 

 He is survived by his wife Gwen; daughters Jill (Steven) Olson, and Jodi Pickett, two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and his sister Ruby Brantner of Seattle.  

Roger was preceded in death by  two sisters - Vivian Hunt and Muriel Watson.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.