Vincent Timothy Pelzek, 63, of Russell, IA, passed away on
September 1, 2026, after a short and courageous battle with cancer. Vince was
born on May 13, 1963, in El Paso, Texas, to Thomas Pelzek and Victoria Hubbard.
He was raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and spent most of his adult life in Iowa. For
25 years, Vince was the beloved and devoted partner of Terri Jones. He loved
his family fiercely and deeply, and those he loved knew that beneath his
strength and opinions was a heart that cared deeply. Vince was a man of many
talents and passions. He was an educator, musician, artist, photographer, cook,
and avid reader. He loved meaningful conversations and was never afraid to have
the hard conversations about life, encouraging others to think deeply and speak
honestly. Vince was proud of his Lakota spiritual path and carried a deep
respect for Native American teachings. He believed in honoring and protecting
those teachings and traditions, and his spiritual journey was an important part
of the man he was. Vince had a deep and abiding love for nature and the animals
he shared his life with. He loved his farm and found joy in spending countless
hours tending his garden and caring for his flowers. Throughout his life, he
opened his heart and his home to many stray animals, giving them love, safety,
and a place to belong. Vince is preceded in death by his mother, Victoria
Hubbard; his father, Thomas Pelzek; his grandmother, Anita Krystoff; and his
cousin, Anna Marie Kelly. Vince is survived by his partner, Terri Jones; his
son, Nik Pelzek; his stepchildren, Ian (Stacie) Holmgren, Jena (Emanuel) Otero,
and Mick Jones; and his beloved grandchildren, Amelia, Cooper, Jacari, and
Mila, who lovingly called him Papa Vin. Vince will also be dearly missed by
Terri's Mom, Patty Pottorff; his sister, Colette (Ron) Stricklett of Blair,
Nebraska; their son, Gage Stricklett; and his niece, Emily, her husband,
Chance, and their children, Drew and Holly Williams. He is also survived by his
sister, Wendy (Rob) Wheeler of Rockwall, Texas, and their daughter, Montana. He
is also survived by Terri's brother, Lonny Snook, along with his nieces and
nephews, Tristan, Trisha, and Shelby Vince's uncles and aunts also survive him:
Tim and Mary Kelly of New Braunfels, Texas, and Alpherie and Linda Krystoff of
Pleasant Hill, California, as well as many more family members and friends who
loved him dearly. Vince also leaves behind a community of caring hearts within
the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). He will be deeply missed
by the families he came to know, the staff and colleagues who had the privilege
of knowing him, and the many members of the TAPS community whose lives he
touched A memorial and celebration of Vince's life will be held on October 17,
2026, at Jester Park Nature Center from 4 to 6 pm. A graveside memorial will
follow on October 18, 2026, at Mt. Zion in Chariton, Iowa. at 3:30 pm Though
his time with us ended far too soon, Vince's love, spirit, and the lessons he
shared will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
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