Eldon Pinke

Eldon Elmer Pinke, 81, of Northwood, North Dakota, formerly of Wishek, died on October 30, 2024, at Northwood Deaconess Health Center. 

Family and friends are welcome to celebrate Eldon’s life and legacy on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Ebenezer Free Lutheran Church, Northwood, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. with a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. with lunch to follow. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at Silent Hill, rural Aneta. 

Eldon was born on March 24, 1943, in LaMoure, North Dakota, the oldest child of Elmer and Leona (Loebs) Pinke of Marion, North Dakota. He was baptized in Marion Lutheran Church in 1943, confirmed in his faith at Marion Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1956 and graduated from Marion High School in 1961 as Valedictorian. In 1964, Eldon enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard until his honorable discharge as a first sergeant in November 1978. 

On May 23, 1965, Eldon married Carol Strobel in Kulm, North Dakota. Eldon built a strong reputation as a carpenter, later becoming the manager of Farmers Co-op Lumber in Kulm. After purchasing the lumberyard in Wishek in 1977, Eldon and Carol started Pinke Lumber Company. Eldon actively served the Wishek community through 36 years on the nursing home board, many years as a Boy Scout leader, and also on the city council, job development authority, economic development corporation, Lions Club and Wishek United Church of Christ church council. He was highly regarded and recognized in his work and in 2001 was Retail Dealer of the Year by the North Dakota Retail Lumbermen’s Association. Son Nathan joined Pinke Lumber in 2007 and together they started Pinke Homes in 2013. Carol and Eldon moved to Northwood in 2021. Eldon actively worked on Pinke Lumber projects through the summer of 2024.

Eldon was a proud third-generation builder but the greatest thing he built on earth was his family. His greatest joys were raising daughter Lori and son Nathan and then later in life being an active grandfather who was present in all aspects of his grandchildren’s lives. 

Eldon enjoyed traveling and fishing with Carol and loved Star Lake, near Dent, Minnesota. 

Eldon is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carol, daughter Dr. Lori Pinke (Donald Harris) of St. Cloud, Minnesota, son Nathan (Kathryn) of Northwood, three grandchildren, Hunter, Elizabeth and Anika, sister Ardella Rau (Bruce), sister-in-laws Carol Pinke and Carol Strobel, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dale and Pam Strobel, three nieces, six nephews, much-loved extended family members and special friends and customers he worked with for decades. He was preceded in death by his brother Delmar, parents Leona and Elmer, brother-in-law Darwin Strobel, mother-in-law Bertha Strobel Banek, father-in-laws Fred Strobel and Walt Banek. 

The Pinke family shares a deep gratitude for the entire care team at NDHC and Altru who cared for Eldon for six-weeks prior to his death. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to Northwood Deaconess Health Center Foundation, Ebenezer Free Lutheran Church youth group or UNDalumni.org/PINKE for the Hunter J. Pinke Leadership Endowment.