Louise I. Pickett, 86, of Rochester, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, died Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at Cottagewood Senior Community facility in Rochester.

Louise Ida Stender was born March 5, 1929, in Wykoff, Minnesota, to Louis and Meta (Evers) Stender and was raised in the Fillmore County area. She attended a one-room country school near Wykoff through the eighth grade. Louise graduated from Wykoff High School, worked on the family farm and as a homemaker, where she learned the value of hard work which she carried with her throughout her life. She later received her home health certification and worked as a home health aide. She also enjoyed working at the Mower County Fair. On Oct. 20, 1954, she was united in marriage to David Pickett in Wykoff. The couple raised four children. Louise and David moved to Austin in 1954 and became members of Grace Lutheran Church, where Louise was a Circle member, sang in the choir, volunteered and was the church janitor with David. Louise was very neighborly, enjoyed working, and would never shy away from a difficult task. She liked flowers, gardening, sewing, quilting, cooking, canning and home decorating. She enjoyed baking birthday cakes and cookies for her children, grandchildren and many relatives. She touched the lives of so many and was loved and adored by all who knew her. Louise was a willing servant to many people and the Lord. She was everyone’s angel. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Louise is survived by her children: Allen (Kim) Pickett of Rochester, Donald (Deitra) Pickett of Stewartville, Timothy (Terri) Pickett of Rochester, and Becky (Bradley) Massop of New Hope, Minnesota; nine grandchildren: Donald Jr. (Skip), Daniel, Katie, Nikki, Jacob, Kristen, Jordyn, Evan and Lauren; four great-grandchildren; Dominic, Quinn, Kaia, and Roman; her sister Nelta Stender of Wykoff; along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Meta Stender; her husband David Pickett in 2007; her sister Alice and her in-laws Paul and Florence Pickett.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Jeffrey Forbes officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Home in Rochester and for one hour before the service at the church in Austin on Monday. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to Grace Lutheran Church, the American Cancer Society, or recipient of donor’s choice. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.