IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Ronald J.
Pfeiffer
December 6, 1936 – January 23, 2014
Obituary
Ronald J. Pfeiffer, age 77, of Custer, SD, passed away January 23, 2014, at the Ft. Meade VA Medical Center near Sturgis, SD.
Ron was born on Dec. 6, 1936, to Joseph and Ann (Miller) Pfeiffer in Aberdeen, SD. He attended St. Mary's Elementary, Aberdeen Central High School, Northern University, and served in the US Navy from 1955-57. He married his sweetheart, Donna Willman, on June 20, 1959, and graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Business Administration in 1961. While attending college he had many jobs including taxi driver, real estate salesman, and Schlitz Brewery tour guide.
They then moved back to Aberdeen and he joined his dad and uncle in the family business as general manager of Pfeiffer's Interiors and later took over the floor covering part of the business. In 1982, after managing Magic Carpets store in Aberdeen Ron and his family moved to Watertown, SD, to manage Magic Carpets. In 1990, Ron and a partner purchased The Finishing Touch returning to Aberdeen. After selling the business in 2002 he and Donna retired and moved to Custer.
He was involved in many organizations including Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus and president of Sertoma. He was instrumental in starting the Roncalli Foundation, spending many hours getting pledges. He was also a commissioned lay minister in Custer.
Ron was a kind man with a great sense of humor and was generous to a fault. He was always upbeat and positive and loved to visit with anyone and everyone. He enjoyed going on hikes with Donna, especially the Mickleson Trail which they completed, playing bridge, and golfing with friends. Above all he was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Survivors include his wife, Donna of Custer; daughters, Amy (Mike) Sebern of Burke, SD; Deanna (Paul) Cabaniss of Denver, CO; Rhonda (Ed) Snyder of Custer; Paula (Bob) Wetenkamp of Aberdeen, SD; brother, Bob (Kathy) Pfeiffer of Rapid City, SD; sisters, Elaine 'Lainey' (Patrick) Murray of TN; Joanne (Marlon) Osborne of CO; Marie (Loren) Bartholf of WA; five grandchildren Matt (Julie) Wetenkamp of CO; Megan Wetenkamp of Aberdeen, SD; Zach Sebern of Burke, SD; Allison Sebern of Burke, SD; and Mitchell Snyder of Custer, SD, one great-grandchild, Samantha Wetenkamp of CO.
Ronald was preceded in death by his son, Thomas; parents Joseph and Ann; sister, Marjorie and brother, Bill.
Wake services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 26, 2014, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2014, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Fr. Kerry Pendiville officiating.
Interment will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown, SD, at a later date.
A memorial has been established in Ron's name to benefit the Wounded Warrior at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Ron was born on Dec. 6, 1936, to Joseph and Ann (Miller) Pfeiffer in Aberdeen, SD. He attended St. Mary's Elementary, Aberdeen Central High School, Northern University, and served in the US Navy from 1955-57. He married his sweetheart, Donna Willman, on June 20, 1959, and graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Business Administration in 1961. While attending college he had many jobs including taxi driver, real estate salesman, and Schlitz Brewery tour guide.
They then moved back to Aberdeen and he joined his dad and uncle in the family business as general manager of Pfeiffer's Interiors and later took over the floor covering part of the business. In 1982, after managing Magic Carpets store in Aberdeen Ron and his family moved to Watertown, SD, to manage Magic Carpets. In 1990, Ron and a partner purchased The Finishing Touch returning to Aberdeen. After selling the business in 2002 he and Donna retired and moved to Custer.
He was involved in many organizations including Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus and president of Sertoma. He was instrumental in starting the Roncalli Foundation, spending many hours getting pledges. He was also a commissioned lay minister in Custer.
Ron was a kind man with a great sense of humor and was generous to a fault. He was always upbeat and positive and loved to visit with anyone and everyone. He enjoyed going on hikes with Donna, especially the Mickleson Trail which they completed, playing bridge, and golfing with friends. Above all he was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Survivors include his wife, Donna of Custer; daughters, Amy (Mike) Sebern of Burke, SD; Deanna (Paul) Cabaniss of Denver, CO; Rhonda (Ed) Snyder of Custer; Paula (Bob) Wetenkamp of Aberdeen, SD; brother, Bob (Kathy) Pfeiffer of Rapid City, SD; sisters, Elaine 'Lainey' (Patrick) Murray of TN; Joanne (Marlon) Osborne of CO; Marie (Loren) Bartholf of WA; five grandchildren Matt (Julie) Wetenkamp of CO; Megan Wetenkamp of Aberdeen, SD; Zach Sebern of Burke, SD; Allison Sebern of Burke, SD; and Mitchell Snyder of Custer, SD, one great-grandchild, Samantha Wetenkamp of CO.
Ronald was preceded in death by his son, Thomas; parents Joseph and Ann; sister, Marjorie and brother, Bill.
Wake services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 26, 2014, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2014, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Fr. Kerry Pendiville officiating.
Interment will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown, SD, at a later date.
A memorial has been established in Ron's name to benefit the Wounded Warrior at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
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