Gary F. Pfeffer

Gary F. Pfeffer, age 84, of Parkers Prairie, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at St. William’s Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, November 22, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank with Fr. Jeremy Theis officiating. Music is provided by the church choir. Interment will be held at the church cemetery.

Visitation will begin with the rosary at 4 p.m., followed by parish prayers and conclude at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Parkers Prairie. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Gary Frank Pfeffer was born on September 23, 1940, to Frank and Alice (Cook) Pfeffer in Bertha. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bertha. Gary attended country school and graduated from Bertha-Hewitt High School in 1958. Following graduation, he moved to the Twin Cities, where he began working at Sears. While working part-time for a dry cleaner, he met his future bride, Ruth Artishon. They were united in marriage on July 15, 1961, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Together, they lived in Hopkins, where they raised their two children, Juliet and Christopher.

Gary transitioned into a career as a machinist at Perbix Engineering, where he dedicated many years. He then began working at Thiele Engineering, where he spent most of his machinist career. While working full-time, Gary also managed several side businesses, including lawn mowing, snow removal, and roofing. After retirement, Gary and Ruth spent most weekends traveling to build their retirement home west of Parkers Prairie. In 2000, they moved into their retirement home full-time, and Gary began driving a tractor for Penrose Farms.

Gary was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was also involved in the Parkers Prairie Sportsmen, Leaf Valley Sportsmen, Millerville Sportsmen, and Pheasants Forevermore, which he started with his friend Gary Westergren. He loved hunting and fishing in every season, but most of all, he cherished time spent with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Christopher Frank Pfeffer in 2021; brothers, Bill (Arlene) Pfeffer and Douglas Pfeffer; sister, Lois Pfeffer; brother-in-law, Hans Metzger; and sister-in-law, Kimi Pfeffer.

Gary is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth; daughter, Juliet (Wade) Bollin of Cokato; two grandsons, James Gary Bollin and Jordan Christopher Bollin; brother, Hank Pfeffer of Hackensack; sister, Rita Metzger of Garfield; step-grandson, Wade Allen Bollin Jr.; sister-in-law, Kim Pfeffer; along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Urn bearers are Juliet, Wade, James and Jordan Bollin.