Emery Stephen Pistulka age 73 of rural Seaforth passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday AT THE CHURCH with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will then continue one our prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.  Interment is in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Emery Pistulka was born July 21, 1938 on the family farm in Sheridan Township, near Seaforth to Stephen & Susan (Bernardy) Pistulka.  It was here that he grew up and was a lifelong resident of the area.  Emery was baptized, made his First Holy Communion, and was confirmed at St. Mary’s in Seaforth.  He began his education through the 8th grade at Seaforth Elementary, and continued at St. Anne’s High School in Wabasso graduating in the class of 1956.  Emery served in the Minnesota National Guard from 1959 until 1965.  On August 22, 1964 Emery was united in marriage to Bernadine Eis of Wabasso at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth.  They made their home on a farm 1 ½ miles southeast of Seaforth for 45 years.  Emery farmed in Sheridan Township until 1971 at which time he took a job with Cropmate Fertilizer Company in Wabasso, which he managed for 20 years.  In 1991, he then began working for Meadowland, delivering petroleum until retiring September 8th 2000.  Emery was a member of the Wabasso Lions Club, the Seaforth Booster Club, and the Seaforth American Legion for 40 years where he served as the Sergeant at Arms.  Emery had a passion for hunting.  He was very much an outdoors person.  He enjoyed baseball and softball.  In his younger days, Emery played baseball with the Seaforth, Wanda and Milroy town teams and played fast pitch softball with Redwood Falls, and slow pitch in Seaforth, always playing shortstop of pitching.  He also loved snowmobiling, fishing, gardening, and grilling out & spending time with his family and grandchildren, who were very important to him.

Emery is survived by his wife Bernadine of 47 years; children: Curt (Tracy) of Wabasso, Mike of St. Bonifacius, Sheryl Dudgeon of Maplewood, and Mark of Waconia; grandchildren: Johnny, Paige & Dirk Pistulka, Judd Dudgeon, and Blake & Payton Pistulka; sisters: Felicia Rohlik of Tucson, AZ and Collette (Richard) Irlbeck of Redwood Falls; sisters in law: Rose Pistulka of Willmar and Marlys Pistulka of Rosemount and many other relatives and friends.  He is preceded in death by his son John Jude Pistulka, parents, and brothers: Fr. Celestine Pistulka, Cleo Pistulka, and Cletus Pistulka.