Peter Virgil "Pete" Pfeifer

Peter Virgil Pfeifer, 85, died Friday, August 31, 2018 at Via Christi Village Care Center.

Pete was born on August 20, 1933 in Hays, Kansas to Pete and Catherine (Unrein) Pfeifer. He grew up on a farm just north of Hays and remained there for his entire life.

Pete took over the farming when his father’s health was declining and met Anita while she was still in high school.  Peter married Anita M. Pfannenstiel on September 27, 1952. This earthly love story would continue until Anita’s passing on July 13, 2012.

Pete was all about farming and providing for his family.  He had a love for many things, but one that continued life-long was horses.  Pete, along with fellow quarter horse lovers formed a local chapter of the Registered Quarter Horse Association. They acquired land and donated their time to prepare the grounds and construct the arena.  When his family was young the pastures were full of horses. He passed on this love to his children.  The horses were used to herd the dairy cattle for milking and the pleasure of riding these beautiful creatures of God.  It was a sad time when Peter sold his last horse.

Pete loved sports.  He was a great athlete but had to give up organized sports to take over the farming. He played ball with his family and encouraged each of them to compete. Pete and Anita bowled on a league for many years. When his children played he would attend if the milking schedule permitted. Pete also followed professional football and college football and basketball. In his later years he knew when the games were on TV and planned his evenings around the games. He was diligent about watching the Kansas State Wildcats and the Kansas City Chiefs. He watched many a Kansas City Royals game because that was Anita’s favorite.  Many discussions (aka bets) were made over the prospect of his team winning.  When his later years permitted he traveled with Anita to watch the grandsons and granddaughters participate in sporting events.

Pete being a typical farmer was a “jack” of all trades. His welding abilities went into the construction of most of the storage sheds on the farm. When Mom wanted a “new” house he helped complete the carpentry work, etc. on that house. He had plumbing, electrical and mechanical skills which he used to keep everything operating.

Carpentry was another of his loves. Once the milk cows were gone the milk barn was converted to his workshop. He now had time to build furniture for Anita and his now grown, married children and the grandkids. Over the years cradles, rocking horses, tables, dressers, bookcases, end tables and many other pieces were created by his love for family and talent for carpentry.

Pete wanted to carry on the German traditions and feed his family economically. So, he acquired the needed equipment and butchered beef, pork, chickens, rabbits and wild game. The “butcher” room was a busy sight with all of us doing our part.  The end result was great tasting meats, especially the pork sausage and liverwurst.

When Pete lost his love Anita in July 2012, he taught himself to do wood carving.  Anita and Pete would have celebrated 60 years of marriage that September.  So, he turned that great loss into carving. He looked forward each day into going into his little carving shop. Once again just like the furniture the family were recipients of his many creations.  He became very creative and started adding motion in his designs. The horses and cattle were his favorites and his best.

Pete is survived by his seven children; his son Steven and Denise Pfeifer and their children, Kim and Rick (Tristan, Wyatt, Westan) and Melissa and John (Gretchen), stepchildren, Travis and Emily (Anna and Ryan), Mike and Nicole (Ace, Kaden and Rylee), Bryan and Jennifer, and Larry; his son Dennis and wife Janet, their children, Jaime and Dave Liudahl (Carter, Chloe, and Coleman), son Dustin and Amber (Andre, Maya, Anthony, Bella and Anna), daughter Jara (Dakota, Demitria and Journee) and son Dexter and Carissa; his daughter Joyce Pfeifer (Marissa McHugh), his son Randy and Linda (Brandy), his daughter Karen and Dan Randa , their son Justin and Hillary (Owen), their son Jordan (Ashlynn);  his daughter Diana and Gordon Lynn and their daughter Audrey and Joe Roundy (Tatum, Jett and Jensen), their son Trey and Reanna ( Gordon and Waylon) and their son Austin; and his son Keith and Cindy (Kiana). This makes 18 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren for Pete.

Pete is also survived by his sisters Florence Kuhn, Venita Collier and brother Robert J. Pfeifer.  He was preceded in death by sisters Agnes Kreutzer, Regina Arnhold, Martina Kreutzer, Alfreda Schmeidler and his brother Wilfred James Pfeifer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus Council #1325 rosary at 7:00 pm, all at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or for family wishes, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences and memories of Pete may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com     

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