Gale Pfister 1924-2018
Gale Gerald “Dutch” Pfister, 94, of Holton, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 at Holton Community Hospital.
He was born May 28, 1924 in Hiawatha, the son of Simeon and Mary (Wenger) Pfister. Gale was raised in Powhattan. He graduated from Powhattan High School in 1943 and enjoyed playing basketball and football in high school.
Gale was drafted into the United States Army in 1945; he served time in Japan. Gale was honorably discharged in 1947, earning the WWII Victory Medal.
On Dec. 29, 1944, he married Vivian McKee at Hiawatha. They lived in Hiawatha and Powhattan.
Gale worked for the Powhattan Township and Derby Grain Company. In 1951 they moved to Washington State. He worked for several construction companies, operating a crane on the Hanford Project, which built the Atomic Energy Plant north of Richland, Wash.
In October of 1954, they moved back to Kansas and made their home in Holton. Gale worked for USD 336 as a custodian at Central Grade School for several years. He worked 20 years for the City of Holton as a city policeman. He also worked for the Holton Fire Station and for the Street and Alley Department. He was later Street and Alley Superintendent. Gale later worked for the State of Kansas for 10 years in the Kansas Highway Department, retiring in 1988.
Gale was a KU fan and enjoyed watching them on TV. He also enjoyed going to the Holton Wildcat games.
Gale worked on many bicycles for 25 years and liked to ride his mopeds.
He was a volunteer fireman for the City of Holton, a life-member of Holton VFW Post 1367 and a charter member of Powhattan American Legion Wenger Post 373.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Norma Guffy and Irma Jacobs; and a brother, Wayne Pfister.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian; daughter, Geralin Jo Altenburg (Wayne) of Holton; sister, Donna Bairow of Holton; grandson, Darin Altenburg (Kristi) of Holton; granddaughter, Kimberly J. Clark (Terry) of Holton; four great-grandchildren, Taygen and Logan Altenburg and Xoe and Xavier Clark; stepgreat-grandchildren, Katie, Dacey and Ryon Clark; stepgreat-great-granddaughter, Natalie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with military honors will follow in Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home. The family requests casual dress, especially KU shirts or team of choice.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holton VFW Post 1367 or Heart of Jackson Humane Society, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
