Kenneth H. Pistulka, age 73, of Grinnell, died on Sunday, October 27, 2013, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell with his family by his side. Mass of the Resurrection will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grinnell with Father Ron Hodges presiding. Interment will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Visitation with the family present will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening, November 1, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Memorials may be designated in his name to St. Francis Manor and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.smithfh.com. Kenneth Henry Pistulka was born on January 23, 1940, to Charles and Rosalain (Opbroek) Pistulka in Burke, South Dakota. He began his life in Fairfax, South Dakota on the farm. Kenneth was united in marriage to Shirley Schmitz on November 7, 1959, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Bonesteel, South Dakota. They began to raise their family in Fairfax, moving on to Gregory, South Dakota, and thereafter, Grand Island, Nebraska. They also lived in South Sioux City, Nebraska and Liberty, Missouri before moving to Grinnell in November of 2011. Ken experienced a successful career of 44 years with the Cenex Cooperative System, retiring in January 2003. He was community minded. Supporting neighboring businesses and participating in church and community activities were very important to Ken. He served on many committees and boards. Ken loved spending time with family. In retirement, he looked forward to traveling with Shirley to attend the activities of his 11 grandchildren. This was an important focus of his life. Ken leaves behind a loving wife of 54 years, Shirley Pistulka of Grinnell; their children, Darlis (Jim) Hawkins of Grinnell, Tammy Deffenbaugh of Denver, Colorado, Vicki (Tom) Snider of Denver, Paula (Michael) McDermott of Denver, Marty (Jill) Pistulka of Marion, Iowa and Troy Pistulka of Grand Island, Nebraska; 7 grandsons, Andrew (Nya) Wiese, Jesse Deffenbaugh, Joshua (Melissa) Hawkins, Jordan Deffenbaugh, Aaron Pistulka, Colvin Snider, and Zach Pistulka; 4 granddaughters, Brittney Hawkins, Allie Snider, Emily Pistulka, and Elizabeth McDermott; a great granddaughter, Kennady Kruse; and his siblings, Eleanor Horst of Portland, Oregon, Duane (Carol) Pistulka of Tea, South Dakota, Louis (Lana) Pistulka of Greybull, Wyoming, and Dan (Carol) Pistulka of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.