Kurkowski retires from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks after 39 years

  • Steve Kurkowski retired from Pickerel Lake Recreation Area after 39 years of helping improve the park and turn around its reputation for the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department. Reporter & Farmer | Subscriber snapshot
    Steve Kurkowski retired from Pickerel Lake Recreation Area after 39 years of helping improve the park and turn around its reputation for the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department. Reporter & Farmer | Subscriber snapshot

    Thiry-nine years ago, Steve Kurkowski was asked if he could do some snow removal work at Pickerel Lake State Recreation Area by then-manager Lori Skadsen. He started out as part time and it slowly formed into his job full time. After nearly four decades of work he loved, Kurkowski now age 64, announced his retirement in October.

    According to Kurkowski, when he first arrived he described the place a…