Gladstone, MI
Maxine Ruth Pfiester, age 97, of Gladstone passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at the Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba.
Maxine was born on May 27, 1917 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of James Crittendan and Beulah Doris (Crandall) Halleck. She was united in marriage to Frederick Pfiester on June 15, 1935 in LaGrange, Indiana. Maxine and Fred remained in Eaton Rapids until 1949 when they moved to Gladstone for Fred’s employment. They lived there until retirement and then moved to their cottage home on Tom’s lake in Wetmore, Michigan. A few years later they decided the easier winters and warm weather of Zepherhills, Florida would be a better place for them to spend their final years. Following her husbands death in 1996, Maxine stayed in the south- some of the time in Texas and some of the time in Florida- until March of 2007 when she moved back to Michigan to be near her family.
Maxine is survived by three sons, Fred (Barbara) Pfiester of Gladstone, Gary (Beth Ann Royer) Pfiester of Escanaba and Alan (Cindy) Pfiester of Rapid River; daughter-in-law, Judy Pfiester of Kansas; 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren; a brother, Wayne Thompson of Florida; a sister, Beverly Steckman of Texas, sister-in-law, Dorothy Thompson of Bayview and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, son Darwin Pfiester, great grandson, Daniel Pfiester, parents and a brother, John Thompson.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 3 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Rapid River Congregational Church. Memorial services will follow at 4:00 PM at the church with Pastor Bill Rafuse officiating. A luncheon will be served following the services in the fellowship hall.
The Pfiester family is being assisted by the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.
Andrew Pfiester - Clifton, VA
Grandma – you were one of the strongest people I ever knew! Thanks for giving us so much time with you, and I’m happy that you are in a better place. We’ll miss you.
Carol Jean (Knauf) Pipkorn
We Knauf “kids” will always remember the wonderful times we had with your mom and dad through all the years at the cottage and at their home. Your mom and dad played a special role in all our lives. We will remember them always.
Please accept my sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.