Claudia Pickens

Claudia Emma Pickens, 66, of Vermillion, South Dakota, passed away Thursday afternoon,

February 15, 2024, in her residence in Vermillion.

Claudia was born on Mother's Day, May 12, 1957, in Algona, Iowa, to Claude Everett and

Caroline Mae (Edmand) Gatrost. Claudia graduated from Washington High School in Cherokee,

Iowa, in 1975 and then moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where she worked various jobs in finance.

until 2007.

Claudia married the love of her life, Robert John Pickens, on July 7, 2007, in Cherokee, Iowa, at

St. Paul's United Methodist Church and then moved to Vermillion, South Dakota, where she

worked as a Senior Claims Clerk for the University of South Dakota until she retired in 2021.

Claudia was preceded in death by her father, Claude Everett Gatrost, and her brother, David.

Harold Gatrost.

Claudia is survived by her husband, Robert of Vermillion, South Dakota; her mother, Caroline.

Gatrost of Chandler, Arizona; her older brother, Mark Gatrost, and his wife Roxanne of

Chandler, Arizona; her nephews, Cameron Gatrost, and Josh Gatrost; her daughter Carrie (Chris)

Kenney of Lincoln, Nebraska; her son Richard (Jaide) Anderson, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

and four grandchildren.