Delores "Toodie" Falk

Delores "Toodie" Falk was born to John and Anna Kindt on February 27, 1930, in Pipestone, MN. She attended country school and graduated from Jasper High School. She grew up on the family farm near Eden Township, MN (North and West of Jasper). On February 5, 1951, she was united in marriage to Roger Hugo Falk and they raised their four kids on a farm East of Jasper until they moved into town in 1961. During this time, Toodie drove the Jasper school bus for 17 years. Roger preceded her in death on May 24, 1985 at the age of 54. About a year after Roger's death, Toodie moved from the family home up by the water tower to her cozy apartment near Highway 23 on the northwest end of Jasper.

Toodie loved to travel and was never known to let the grass grow under her feet – she was always "ready to go"! Her favorite trips were with her three daughters to Boston, New Orleans and San Francisco. She also traveled to visit family and watch them all play ball. She cheered louder than anyone, was full of energy and was your biggest fan. Everyone knew Toodie at the ballpark – she always told you to ‘be tough as nails’ and ‘you can do it.’

Toodie had a passion for playing cards so at the age of 61 she went to the Royal River Casino and tried to become a blackjack dealer - only to be told "no". Toodie was not one to take no for an answer. She believed in herself and trained on an ironing board until she made it. She worked as a blackjack dealer for 23 years, better known as "Blackjack Toodie". She retired at the age of 84, which was an inspiration to many.

Most of all, Toodie loved when the family came to visit her and RJ in Jasper. Toodie was an excellent cook and baker and we all have so many fond memories of her making recipes from the generation before her. Many recipes have her handwritten notes with modifications (e.g., "use real butter!"), and specific brands that needed to be used otherwise they just didn't taste as good. She was always eager to sit down and play a game of cards or her favorite board game, Sequence. She was very competitive so when asked if she let the grandkids win - she emphatically said: "I don't let them win...but I teach them how to win!"

Toodie moved to the Pipestone County Hospice House on Thursday, November 21 and was under their tender loving care until she peacefully passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at the age of 89 years and 9 months. While she will be deeply missed, her legacy will be carried on by all of us, for many generations.

Toodie is lovingly remembered by her three children, Janet Winter of Waterloo, IA, Jeanne Padilla of Round Rock, TX, and Polly & Daryl "Hoogie" Hoogeveen of Larchwood, IA; nine grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Milton "Poots" (Billie) Kindt of Jasper, MN; and many other friends and family. Toodie was preceded in death by her husband, Roger; her son, Rodney "RJ"; her granddaughter, Tammie Hoogeveen; and her son-in-law, Jerry Winter.

Memorial cards and gifts may be sent to Hartquist Funeral Home Attn: Falk Family P.O. Box 351 Pipestone, MN 56164