Joe Pfeifer

Joe Pfeifer, 83, of Orient, passed away Monday, February 24, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 28, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Orient, with Father Christopher Hughes presiding. Burial  followed in the church cemetery. A wake service was held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the church.

Joseph Nicholas Pfeifer was born December 4, 1936 on the family farm near Orient, SD to Frank James and Helen Margaret (Jungwirth) Pfeifer. He attended rural country school and Orient High School. Following his education, Joe worked on area ranches before entering the United States Army.

Upon his return, Joe worked for Florian Selting for many years. He was united in marriage and moved to Miller where his first three children, Mike, Tom and Jodi were born. In 1965 they moved to Wisconsin where he worked in a factory and did some construction. Their last son Frank was born here. In 1974 they returned to Orient and operated Joe and Pat’s Bar until 1979. Joe then started Pfeifer and Son, working alongside his son, Tom, until his retirement in 2015.

On May 7, 1988, Joe was united in marriage to Valeria “Val” Cotton in Orient. They lived in Orient and enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Joe was a member of the Faulkton VFW Post, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus. For many years he provided military funeral honors to the area veterans. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, building models, and spending time with his grandkids. Joe was proud of his many years of sobriety.

Joe’s life will be remembered by his children: Mike Pfeifer of New Brighton, MN, Tom Pfeifer of Faulkton, Jodi (Tim) McCloud of Black Hawk, and Frank Pfeifer of Piedmont; step-children: Mark (Delilah) Cotton, Maurice (Carol) Cotton, Milton Cotton, Matt (Nikki) Cotton, and Marcia (Dave) Porter; grandchildren: Shawna Grieger, Drew Jensen, Crystal Pfeifer, Brandy McCloud and Speed McCloud; three great grandchildren; numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother: Edward (Shirley) Pfeifer of Miller; sisters: Dorothy Downing of Redfield, Mary Ann (Roger) Bent of Faulkton, Lucille (Les) Staufer of Watertown, Bobbi (Dick) Frank of Miller, and Rosie Hansen of Faulkton; sister-in-law: Sandy Pfeifer of Aurora, NE; and many other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Val; grandson, Shadoe Pfeifer; brothers: Vincent and Kenneth Pfeifer; and sisters: Esther Verbeck and Pearl Gerlach.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Joe’s arrangements.