Gail Pickus

Gail Hamilton Pickus, 90, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Aberdeen.

A Funeral Service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Carlsen Funeral Chapel, 1708 8th Ave NE, Aberdeen, with Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz officiating.

Private Interment will immediately follow the service at Riverside Memorial Cemetery, 1726 W Melgaard Rd, Aberdeen.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to: SD Deaf Resource & Outreach Programs, https://sddrop.org/donate/ or Planned Parenthood North Central States, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-north-central-states 

Gail Claire Hamilton was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 27, 1934, to Boris and Avery (Kite) Hamilton.

Gail attended the University of Iowa, where she met Herman “Buddy” Pickus, Jr. They were married in October of 1952. Upon graduation, they moved to Aberdeen, where they ran Pickus Construction, an asphalt paving company.

Gail was a voracious reader, painter, sculptor, and a mother to all the neighborhood kids. She even had boxes of costume jewelry to play dress up with the neighborhood girls. Gail was a member of the Congregation B’nai Isaac Synagogue in Aberdeen.

Gail is survived by her sons: Michael (Sharon), David (Leslie – deceased), and Jon (Debra); nine grandchildren; and a great grandson.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Buddy; and her beloved sister Joan Cobitz.