Otto T. Pelikan

Otto Pelikan, age 96, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025 at Harmony House in Pierz, MN surrounded by his family. To honor Otto, a celebration of his life will be held at Frosty’s, 214 Main Street, Pierz, 56364 from 11 AM to 3 PM on Friday, May 2, 2025. All friends and family are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Meadow Ponds Assisted Living or Harmony House of Pierz. Caring for Otto and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Pierz, MN. Otto was born January 5, 1929 in Telc, Czechoslovakia. At the age of 16, he was inducted into the German army towards the end of WWII until, a few months later, he was captured and held in an American POW camp. After his release, he eventually became a locomotive engineer, met and married Rosina Hammer, and together they had three children. In 1959, they immigrated to the Pierz, Minnesota area where they had two more children. After Rosina died in 1978, he met and married Margaret Kazeck and together they adopted two more children. With that marriage, they became a blended family of eleven children, and additionally, welcomed many foster children into their lives. His career in the US included over 10 years at Minneapolis Moline and later Redwood Industries in Pierz. Otto was very mindful of civil responsibility and was a member of the Pierz Lions, treasurer of his church, and volunteered with the boy scouts for many years. Otto was an experienced black and white photographer and developed many photos in his home dark room. He was also a passionate gardener and gladly shared his harvests with friends and neighbors. Over the years, he developed a strong interest in astronomy, ultimately building a telescope, grinding his own mirror. As an aeronautics enthusiast, he built an airplane with friend Steve Stumpf. Otto produced many gallons of wine over the years and welcomed family and friends to his wine cellar. He touched many lives with his kind and thoughtful ways, and he was loved and respected by all in the community. Otto will be lovingly remembered by his family here and in Czechia. His family includes: Terry (Perry) Butler, Erika (Steve) Englund, Tony (Bonnie) Pelikan, Andrea (Darnell) Pelikan, Debbie (Don) Hayes, Joey Pelikan; step-children, Dennis (Cindy) Kazeck, Doug (Cindy) Kazeck, Sue (Bob) Langerud; and step-daughter-in-law, Karen, to the late Dave Kazeck. His nieces, Jana (Fana) Zavadova; Alena (Jirka) Sadilkova, Anne Marie (Werner) Gall. Otto was preceded in death by his wife, Rosina Pelikan; wife, Margaret Pelikan; daughter, Fran Pelikan; brother, Karel; nephew, Jirka Pelikan; and step-son, Dave Kazeck.

Tributes

Otto T. Pelikan

January 5, 1929 - April 17, 2025