Fr. Henry F. Pick (1896 - 1981) — The Story of Elmer and Marvel

Henry Fredrick Pick

Born March 16, 1896. Ordained July 11, 1927.

Died February 22, 1981.

The first of six Adam Pick children to join the religious life as their vocation, Fr. Henry was the first born-and-raised Alton, Iowa boy to become an ordained priest. He served many parishes throughout Iowa. After retirement, he offered mass at his residence in Remsen, Iowa, which later became the final residence to Elmer and Marvel.

33 Pick Henry Fr 502 Kennedy decorated for Xmas 1963 (1).jpg

Henry Pick left home at nineteen years of age to attend St. Lawrence in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin for high school and college. To earn money he mimeographed his class notes for sale to fellow students.

When ill health forced his retirement Fr. Henry chose to move to Remsen, Iowa. A stair glide made for easy access to the basement where he always had a woodworking or tinkering project in the works. The student in Fr. Henry never left him; he loved learning something new and kept up with current events and the latest technology. Over the years he accumulated a large collection of classical music on 78 rpm records (the early records made of shellac).

And he liked nice things...cars and a good cigar or pipe tobacco at the top of the list.

Contributed by Mary Pick Wagner

Small but mighty and feisty describes Katherine Krapfl to a tee. For forty years, until her death, she was Fr. Henry Pick’s housekeeper. Katherine was thought of as family to all of us. Her beloved Mexican Chihuahua, Pepe, also small and feisty, barked too much to suit Fr. Henry. Katherine loved and had nice things…her crystal collection was to die for. Back in the day housekeepers generally lived in the rectory, sharing it with one or more priests. She was in charge…and did I mention she loved to play cards?

Contributed by Mary Pick Wagner

24 Pick Henry Fr w his Whippet 1928 (1).jpg

This is Fr. Henry standing proudly alongside a 1928 Whippet Six coupe made by Willys-Overland Company. The exterior top and back sides were vinyl. In 1928 its popularity, due to good looks, small size, speed, and low price, shot Willys-Overland into third place behind Chevrolet and Ford with 315,000 cars out the door. But alas, along came the Depression and with it the demise of the Whippet.

Shortly after Dad graduated from Vet school in 1944, he bought the Whippet from Fr. Henry that had seen much better days and needed a lot of work…oil pan and bearings are two of the things that come to mind.

Fr. Henry had a lifelong love for cars.

Contributed by Mary Pick Wagner