Carolyn Marie Pickart

Carolyn Marie “Kay” Pickart, age 86, died on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Alcester Care and Rehab Center in Alcester, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM, on April 10, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, SD with Reverend Tom Anderson Officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on April 9 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM. Visitation also continues one hour prior to the Mass at the church.

Pallbearers are: Craig Pond, Corey Pond, Boyce Pond, Sam Anderson, Ben Anderson, Randy Moderegger, Jason Tramp, and Xavior Ellenbecker.

Carolyn was born July 25, 1939 in Yankton to Boyce and Edna (Anderson) Shreve. She grew up in Yankton, attended Sacred Heart Grade School and then graduated from Mount Marty High School. Carolyn married William W. Pond Jr. and they moved to St. Louis, MO where she had two sons, Chandler and Timothy Pond. After Carolyn’s divorce from William, she moved back to Yankton with her boys and attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD. While completing her Teacher’s Degree in just three years, she was also working several jobs in Yankton.

Following her college graduation in 1971, she accepted a job teaching Kindergarten in White River, SD. While living in White River, Carolyn adopted Scott, a young boy in the second grade. After six years of teaching in White River, she accepted a job in Marion, SD to teach Elementary School. While teaching in Marion, Carolyn earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education. As a teacher in Marion, Carolyn met fellow teacher John “Jack” Pickart, and they were married on January 25, 1989. Following their marriage, Carolyn moved to live with her beloved husband at his acreage west of Tea, SD, while continuing to teach at Marion. While living in Tea, Carolyn and Jack fostered two brothers, Kelly and Chad Blaschke who had lost their parents. Carolyn guided them from sixth grade through high school graduation.

Carolyn was an active member of the Catholic Daughters and a member of Tea’s St. Nicholas Catholic Church where she taught religious classes. After retiring from teaching in Marion, Carolyn continued as a substitute teacher wherever she was called to go. Carolyn was a hard worker and would always do everything she could to provide for all the boys she raised, and wanted them to have the best chances to enjoy their lives also.

Carolyn and Jack loved to travel and see the world. They also enjoyed going south to miss the South Dakota winters. Carolyn loved being with all her grandchildren, they all brought so much joy into her life. Carolyn enjoyed quilting, sewing, crocheting, baking, reading, and working in her rock garden. Carolyn had a very soft spot in her heart for little children. Carolyn always kept a smile on her face and enjoyed life to its fullest. Even after battling Alzheimer’s in her last few years, she always had that smile on her face even to her last day.

Carolyn is survived by three sons: Chad (Cathi) Pond of Maroa, IL, Tim (Julie) Pond of Aberdeen, SD, and Scott Pond of Aberdeen, SD; five stepchildren: Mike Pickart of St. Louis Park, MN, Mark (Susan) Pickart of St. Paul, MN, Kris (Bob) Malloy of Parkston, SD, Robin (Scott) Hohn of Parkston, SD, Colleen (Joe) Anderson of Sioux Falls, SD; three grandchildren; Craig (Amber) Pond of Decatur, IL, Corey Pond of Chicago, IL, and Boyce (Hayley) Pond of Aberdeen, SD; ten step-grandchildren: Matt (Meg) Malloy, Maggie Malloy, Marie (Dylan) Gavin, Will and Charlie Pickart, Izzy, Elly, and Abby Hohn, Sam and Ben Anderson; three great-grandchildren: Rory Pond, Benjamin Pond, and Xavior Ellenbacker; seven step-great-grandchildren; Kamari, Kollins, and Kenya Malloy, Margot and Mabel Malloy, Riggs and Ryan Gavin; six siblings: Charolette Lema of Yankton, SD, Joan Haberman of Crofton, NE, Janet (Bob) Moderegger of Yankton, SD, Michael (Rosemary) Shreve of Edgewood, NM, Theresa (Rich) Ferris of Kearney, NE, Roberta Berney of Yankton, SD; sister-in-law, Marilyn Shreve of Cottonwood, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Boyce and Edna Shreve; husband, Jack Pickart; grandsons, Nathanial and Christopher Pond; granddaughter, Celeste Pond; stepdaughter, Jill Pickart; foster children, Kelly and Chad Blaschke; two brothers, Jack and Roger Shreve; brother-in-laws, Jim Haberman, Fred Lema, and Ron Berney.