Joan Marie Pick, the third child of Elmer & Marvel, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and caretakers, on April 13, 2024.

Always a Lady
Mary Hahn Mary Hahn

Always a Lady

Mary Hahn, sister-in-law to Marvel, wrote this beautiful story on Marvel shortly after Marvel passed away in November of 2000. The story was featured in the Cherokee Chronicle.

Read More
Aunt Eva and Uncle Wes
Mary Hahn Mary Hahn

Aunt Eva and Uncle Wes

Marvel’s mother, Ethel (Stewart) Hahn, was sister to Eva, Leora, and Fred. The Stewarts were a very close family, living within a 10-mile radius of each other their entire lives. This story is a beautiful narrative of life on the farm told by Mary Hahn. She and her husband, Bob (Marvel’s brother) lived a ‘stone’s throw’ from the colorful Aunt Eva and Uncle Wes for thirty-some years in Cherokee County.

Read More
Poncho
David Pick David Pick

Poncho

Doesn’t every boy want a pony? David sure did and his mom, Marvel, delivered with a donkey (or mule) named Poncho.

Read More
Marvel Before Elmer
Sandy A Lane Sandy A Lane

Marvel Before Elmer

Before Elmer, Marvel had a beau. A boyfriend so serious, he became a fiancee. Some know this story. For others, this is a new story; 82 years later.

Read More
A Wedding Memory
Mary Pick Wagner Mary Pick Wagner

A Wedding Memory

A WEDDING MEMORY

by Mary Pick Wagner (June 12, 2019)

In memory of my parents, Elmer Henry & Marvel May (Hahn) Pick

Married September 13, 1943, to July 30, 2000

Read More
Memories From Lorne
Mary Pick Wagner Mary Pick Wagner

Memories From Lorne

Marvel’s younger brother, Lorne, Remembers Marvel. These sweet stories from their childhood were told to his wife, Janet, in December of 2003.

Read More
My Childhood Memories of the Farm
Mark Wagner Mark Wagner

My Childhood Memories of the Farm

I was 5 years old in 1971 when the picture was taken of Grandpa Doc and me sitting on the 1950 John Deere; it had a hand clutch. Grandpa never ever told me no. Every time I wanted to go with him, he never said no. Neither did Guy and Rich. And I got on that tractor (or any tractor) any chance I could.

Read More
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Mary Pick Wagner Mary Pick Wagner

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

How many times did Dad (Elmer) refer to The Great Depression as “The Dirty Thirties”? There was this deep foreboding look and spirit that overtook Dad when he talked about that time. It was clear that whatever happened, you sure as heck didn’t want it happening to you. Unrelenting fear of another Depression plagued Dad for life.

Read More
Elmer and Marvel, The Beginning
Sandy Wagner Lane Sandy Wagner Lane

Elmer and Marvel, The Beginning

Although it is hard to imagine an Elmer and Marvel story that doesn't include their many children, grandchildren, family, and friends; there was a time focused on just the two of them. This story is about their beginning, the first chapter of Elmer and Marvel.

Read More
Coming to America
Mary Pick Wagner Mary Pick Wagner

Coming to America

A story on the plight of our ancestors as they took the big voyage across rough waters and follows their journey to start our family roots in America.

Read More
Adam Pick Farm: For the Record
Mary Pick Wagner Mary Pick Wagner

Adam Pick Farm: For the Record

This post is an attempt to summarize Adam Pick Farm’s agonizing demise, most notably throughout The Great Depression, using information taken from Sioux County Iowa Abstract of Title, archived Sioux County Iowa atlas’ and area newspaper articles.

Read More