Elaine Martin

Elaine Martin, age 88, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Saturday, January 11, 2020 in hospice at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, due to pneumonia. Funeral services are 10:30 AM, on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at First United Methodist Church in Yankton with Reverend Ron Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, on Friday, January 17 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Pallbearers are Kenneth Silvernail, Lee Graham, Thomas Sedlacek Sr., John Rehurek, Kent Goeden and Fred Martin. Elaine was born October 21, 1931 on the family farm west of Tabor, South Dakota to James Sr. and Emma (Stepanek) Hakl. She attended Wilson School #59 and graduated from Tabor High School Class of 1949 as valedictorian of her class. She married Burnell “Barney” Martin on November 20, 1952 at the Tyndall Methodist Church. They lived in Scotland, SD where Elaine was employed at the Sportsman Café. In 1958, they moved to Yankton and she worked for Gurney Seed and Nursery, Simpson Hatchery, Charles Gurney Café and Downtown T G & Y. Elaine then spent 25 years working for J.C. Penney in the home furnishing department, retiring on November 20, 2001. She moved to Walnut Village Assisted Living in November 2016 due to Lewy Body Dementia and then to Avera Sister James Nursing Home in September 2019 for rehab due to pneumonia. Elaine was a member of the First United Methodist Church for 57 years, lifetime member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Royal Neighbors, and lifetime honorary member of the Yankton Antique Auto Association. Elaine was a very hard worker and was always on the go. She loved doing puzzles, playing cards and bingo, watching game shows on TV, and working in her flower beds. Elaine was also a big Yankton Bucks football fan and enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Elaine is survived by her daughter, Diane Pinkelman of Sioux Falls; two grandchildren, Martin Pinkelman of Wynot, NE and Amanda Pinkelman of Sioux Falls; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Barney on January 6, 1997; and two brothers, Daniel Hakl and James Hakl, Jr.