Elmer was born on July 14, 1925 in Pickardville,
Sheridan Co, North Dakota, to Jacob and Frieda
Maier Pfeifer.
Elmer grew up in North Dakota until enlisting in
the United States Navy. He served for three years
in the South Pacific aboard the USS Stevens.
Upon returning to the states in 1946 Elmer
continued his courtship with Shirley McDonald of
Bear Creek, Montana until they were married on May
16, 1948.
During their 62 years of marriage Elmer and
Shirley and their three children traveled
throughout the Midwestern states pursuing Elmer's
career in the petroleum industry. Elmer started
out as a pipeline welder and then reached his goal
of owning a business in pipeline construction.
In addition to his construction interests, Elmer
owned an over the road trucking firm for many
years.
Some of Elmer's interests were golfing, water and
snow skiing, bowling, boating and fishing.
However, what Elmer enjoyed the very most was
spending time with his eight grandchildren and
seven great-grandchildren (with another on the
way).
Elmer is survived by his wife Shirley; three
children, Margaret (Vic) Larsen of Cody, Dan
(Yvonne) Pfeifer of Deer Lodge and Debbie (Del)
Watson of Billings;
Eight grandchildren: Sara (Chris) Rasmussen of
Columbus, Ben (Alena) Larsen of Cody, Derek |
BEARCREEK — Shirley Ann McDonald Pfeifer was born
on Aug. 8, 1930, in Red Lodge, to Alexander and
Margaret McDonald, and passed away peacefully on
July 6, 2014.
Shirley grew up in Bearcreek. She graduated from
Bearcreek High School in 1947 in a class of two.
She was Salutatorian and her classmate and
lifelong friend, Sammy Mourich, was Valedictorian.
To their amusement, any time they visited one
another they called it a class reunion.
Shortly after graduation, Shirley married the love
of her life, Elmer Pfeifer. During their 62 years
of marriage, Elmer, Shirley and their three
children traveled throughout the Midwestern states
pursuing Elmer’s career in the petroleum industry.
Shirley worked side by side with Elmer during
those years, as well as raising three children.
Shirley made a home that was welcome to many. You
never left her house hungry. She always gave big
hugs and when you left you knew that she loved
you.
Shirley loved family. She cared deeply for her
eight grandkids and adored her nine
great-grandkids.
Shirley is survived by her three children,
Margaret (Vic) Larsen of Cody, Dan (Yvonne)
Pfeifer of Deer Lodge and Debbie (Del) Watson of
Billings; eight grandchildren, Sara (Chris)
Rasmussen of Columbus, Ben (Alena) Larsen of Cody,
Derek (Amber) Pfeifer of Hastings, Neb., Nicole
Pfeifer of Missoula, Brian Pfeifer of Billings,
Ashley Sims of Billings, Sydney (Brandon) Harris
of Billings and Sadie Watson of Billings; and nine
great-grandchildren, Erika Larsen, Emily Larsen,
Dylan Wyllie, Brooklyn Wyllie, Eric Rasmussen,
Kenna Pfeifer, Kaden Pfeifer, Grace Harris and
Hadlie Harris. Also surviving is one brother,
Sandy McDonald of Billings; and numerous nieces,
nephews and friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, her
parents, three sisters (Christina, Bonnie and
Connie), and one brother (Tom).
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Sat. July
12 in the Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel in Red
Lodge. Cremation has taken place and interment
will be in the Red Lodge Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Operation Second Chance,
P.O. Box 1303, Red Lodge, MT 59068, or Montana
Talking Book Library, 1515 East Sixth Ave., P.O.
Box 201800, Helena, MT 59620. |