Francis J. Pfeifer, the son of Frank and Magdalena (Gerein) Pfeifer was born on March 25, 1926 in Rugby, North Dakota.  He died at the age of 93 years on Friday, April 12, 2019 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, North Dakota.

Francis was raised in the home of his parents, on the family farm in Tuscorora Township, Pierce County and received his education at Rural Brazil School No. 4.  Francis worked on the family farm and neighboring farms hauling bundles on threshing rigs until February 1954. He was united in marriage to  Dolores Eileen Bertsch on May 25, 1953 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Orrin, North Dakota.  The couple lived at his parents’ home until February 1954 when they then rented and moved to the Andrew and Anna Solheim farm in Girard Lake Township east of Orrin.  In January of 1961, the couple purchased the farm continuing to  farm, raising grain and livestock until the fall of 1995.  It was the spring of 1996 when the couple sold their livestock, equipment and farm.  They retired September 18, 1996 and moved to the house they had built in Rugby. 

Francis and Dolores had no children of their own, but many adoring nieces and nephews.  He was a hard-working sensitive man who enjoyed his work and took great pride in everything he did.  He liked working in his farm shop where he did most of the machinery repairs himself.  Along with farm work, Francis did carpentry, plumbing, veterinary work, welding and anything that was needed to be done on the farm.  After retirement Francis enjoyed caring for his yard and garden, still the farmer loving to see things grow.  He started to go fishing which he grew to love.  He also loved to play cards, especially Pinochle. Francis was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church at Balta for 70 years.  While a member there he belonged to St. John’s Men’s Society, the Knights of Columbus, and served on the church board for 12 years. Francis was a current member of Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby.

He is survived by a brother Arthur Pfeifer of Rugby; numerous nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores (January 11, 2018); brothers, Anton and Roy; sisters, Catherine Pfeifer and Regardia Schaan; and his parents. 

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17^th  at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with spring burial on Friday, May 10 at 11:00 a.m. in the church cemetery.  Father Tom Graner, Celebrant and   Father Neil Pfeifer, a Concelebrant.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday with a Rosary and Vigil prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.  Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. There will be no reviewal in the church.

Casket Bearers: William Schaan, Rocky Bertsch, Blaine, Gerold, Edwin and Carl Pfeifer.