Rudolph G. "Rudy" Pfeiffer, age 103, of West Bend, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2008 at Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center, West Bend.
He was born on May 4, 1905 in Chicago to the late George and Anna Marie (nee Igel) Pfeiffer, who were both from Germany. Rudy's mother died in childbirth, and his father remarried to Clara Kahnt.
Rudy's family moved to the West Bend area when he was a teenager. Not liking farming, he went back to Illinois and worked in his cousin's grocery store. While visiting his family in West Bend he met and was united in marriage to Lillian Bumiller on July 18, 1931 at the German Walnut Street Methodist Church in West Bend.
Rudy had many businesses, including Rudy's Service Station, Rudy's General Store, and the Light House Lanes Bowling Alley. He invested and worked at Barton Washing Machine Company and Mallard Coach Company. He also helped others get into business. Rudy retired at the age of 75 from Barton Screw Machine Company.
At the age of 99 he gave up his driver's license and Rudy and Lill moved to Cedar Bay West Assisted Living. Rudy was member of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, West Bend.
He is survived by his wife of 77 years, Lillian; a daughter, Margaret (Allen) Hron of the Town of Kewaskum; three grandchildren, Dr. Kim (Dr. James) Stewart of Chesterfield, MO, Deborah (Steven) Wolfe of Germantown, and Steven (Stephanie) Hron of Larkspur, CO; five great-grandchildren, Adam and Madelyn Wolfe, Matthew, Caroline, and Emma Stewart; a sister-in-law, Ella Bumiller of West Bend; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol Krueger, a brother, Arthur Pfeiffer, along with his wife Evelyn; two sisters, Marie Yahr and her husband Raymond, and Loretta Hughes and her husband Harold.
Funeral services in remembrance of Rudy will be held on Thursday, June 5th at 7:00 pm at the Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church (323 S. 5th Ave.). Rev. Janis Best and Rev. Wesley Falk will co-officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday at the church from 5:00 pm until the time of service. Burial will be in Washington County Memorial Park on Friday at 10:00 am.
Memorials to Cedar Community or the Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church are appreciated.