Douglas Pirkl, 72, Owatonna
Douglas A. Pirkl, 72, of Owatonna, died Friday, May 31, 2024, after a seven-month battle with stage four pancreatic cancer.
He was born Jan. 7, 1952, in Owatonna, the son of Martin and Carol (Johnson) Pirkl. Doug graduated from Owatonna High School in 1970 and went on to obtain his associate’s degree in Fluid Power Technology from Mankato Technical College in 1972.
Doug married his high school sweetheart Marilyn Abbe April 7, 1973, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Meriden. The couple farmed together on Doug's family farm near Meriden.
Doug received many awards over the years for his hard work and dedication, including 1993 Steele County Outstanding Wind Break, 2002 Steele County Outstanding Farm Family and several farm seed sales awards over 25 years. Doug served nine years on the Steele County Planning and Zoning Board, nine years on the Steele County Soil & Water Conservation Board as well as serving on the St. Paul’s Lutheran of Meriden church council and cemetery board.
Doug's goal in life was to improve the land and farm that he operated and indeed he did. He was very dedicated to every aspect of his farming operation. Doug enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, driving his '79 pickup, traveling and going on crop tour rides with his wife and finding a new destination for lunch or dinner. Most of all, he loved spending time with family & friends, visiting, having fun and enjoying a good meal.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn Pirkl of Owatonna; daughter, Jennifer (and Kevin) Ahmann of Eden Prairie; sons, William (and Ericka) Pirkl of Byron, Charlie Pirkl of Littleton, Colo.; grandchildren, Averi, Chloe and Peter Ahmann, Weston, Lauren, Sienna and Grant Pirkl, Adalyn Pirkl; brother, Paul (and Sharon) Pirkl of Wesely Chapel, Fla.; sister, Judy (and Rob) Newman of Milton, Fla. He is also survived by his in-laws, Ronald Abbe of Owatonna, Linda Wilkenson of New Richland, Joyce (and Borris) Mokoff of Northfield.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Pirkl and Carol Wood; father and mother-in-law, Melvin & Ordena (Schley) Abbe, sisters-in-law, Janet (Abbe) Priebe, Karen (Klopp) Pirkl; brother-in-law, Robert Abbe.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Sunday, June 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. and at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Meriden on Monday, June 10 from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 10, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Meriden with Pastor Billie Jo Wicks officiating. Interment will be in the St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Meriden. Memorials are preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or to the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are being handled by Michaelson Funeral Homes of Owatonna.