Rudolph ‘Rudy’ Joseph Pfeifer was born July 9, 1932 in Vincent, Kansas to parents Jacob A. and Regina M. (Brungardt) Pfeifer and passed away surrounded by his family on May 7, 2012 at the V.A. hospital in Topeka, Kansas.
He was married to Irma Joan Befort of Hays, Ks. on July 6, 1957 and together they had 6 children. Military service was a proud part of Rudy’s life. He served in the U.S. Army and was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. Faith in God, family, friends, love of sports and music, and coaching youth baseball in the 60’s and 70’s, were all passions of his. Rudy and his family called many places home including Hays Ks., Russell Ks., Osborne Ks. He always spoke fondly of the people he met and times that he spent in each of the towns that they called ‘home’. Rudy never met a stranger, or forgot a name or face, and always appreciated the relationships that he formed throughout the years referring to them all as “Lasting Forever”.
Rudy is survived by 6 children Rudolph Jr. and wife Kelly, Rocky and wife Andrea, Roxanne and husband Mike, Rebecca, Rick and wife Missi, and Dan and wife Athena, brothers and sisters Alice Schmidt, Armella Passini, Charlotte Ludwick, Ralph Pfeifer and wife Ruth, Catherine Olson and husband Tom, and Rozanne French and husband Jerry, 23 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Irma, parents Jacob and Regina, brothers and sisters Killiana Schmidt, Daniel, Lorraine Williamson, Louise Scandura, Rudolph, William, and Jacob.
Visitation and Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m. on Friday May 11th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana St. Lawrence, Ks. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday May 12th at St. John’s Evangelist Catholic Church 1234 Kentucky St. in Lawrence followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to: County Fair Swim Club P.O. Box 976 Lawrence, Ks 66044.
