Florine Pfannenstiel Chidester

Rene was born on October 8, 1924, in Vincent, Kansas, to Gregory George and Martha Haas Pfannenstiel, and would become the ninth child of 12 Pfannenstiel children.

All the Pfannenstiel children worked hard growing up on the family farm in Vincent. Rene recalls many stories from her home life that often proved them trustworthy workers. One story Rene told often was about her job driving the tractor out on the farm while it was pulling the combine up and down the length of the fields. She was not yet 10 years old, and the tractor had no power steering. She remembered how sore her arms were at bedtime.

Early in 1944, still in Vincent, she worked as a cashier at nearby Walker Air Base and began dating an Army Air Force Officer/Pilot, Lt. Kenneth “Ken” Ray Chidester. He was training in bomber flight operations at the base. They dated often since they liked each other, and the Base Officers’ Club held many evening dances.

Throughout the summer Ken and Rene’s relationship grew, as well as thoughts of marriage. As fall was approaching, the couple knew Ken would receive orders to depart to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he and his crew were to become acquainted with their assigned new bomber, a B-29 Superfortress. They also knew that they had little time left together. When Ken and his flight crew would arrive at Lincoln, they would be just a few weeks away from orders to the air war over Japan.

Rene began talking about marriage to her parents, but there was resistance. They liked Ken, but they had strict rules about marriage. Rene loved her family very much and now had a very difficult set of life-changing options to consider. It was obvious that if she married Ken, they would not help, support, nor participate.

Ken’s orders to Lincoln arrived. Ken and his crew said their goodbyes, moved to Lincoln, and met their new bomber. Ken called Rene and they talked most evenings. As they talked more about their future together, it was time to decide. Ken asked her to come to Lincoln and marry him. She agreed. While Rene went to her room and began packing for a one-way trip to forever, Ken began asking fellow officers with wives in Lincoln to help Rene when she would arrive there.

When Rene closed that front door behind her and started her walk down the porch steps with bag in hand toward the train station, she knew she could not return for a long time, if ever. Somehow, Rene left a life full of love and memories, not knowing how it would work, but Pfannenstiel kids were resourceful and hard-working, clever farmers, and she knew she could figure it out.

Rene and Ken were married on October 31, 1944, at a Presbyterian Church, in Lincoln, Nebraska. And although no family from either side attended (Ken’s family was in Idaho), a fresh, new, beautiful family, ultimately having many branches, had its beginning that Halloween night in a Presbyterian Church. Gratefully, several officer’s wives from the air base at Lincoln assisted the couple. Three weeks later, Ken, the giant plane, and its flight crew landed on the island of Saipan; and Rene continued to rely on the kind help of the officers’ wives. She later found her way to Idaho where she met Ken’s family and waited for his return from war.

While living amongst Ken’s family, Rene found new friendships and meaningful work. Her formal education had ended at the conclusion of the 8th grade; however, the Pfannenstiel kids were resourceful and hard-working, clever farmers. When she needed new skills, such as typing for a job in Idaho, she would borrow a machine and a table for an evening, and by morning she had acquired the needed skill. She was smart and sensible.

The Great War ended in 1945, and Ken came home to Idaho. His work started in grocery sales, and Ken soon discovered he was most comfortable being a salesman. As he tried more direct sales positions, the couples’ family size began to grow. While the family remained in Buhl, Idaho, Kelly was the first child born in 1947. Ken’s work eventually took him and his family to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Raynee was born in 1948. Then his work landed the family in Hutchinson, Kansas, where Kathy completed the family size in 1951. After a very successful car sales position in Hutchinson, Ken and Rene felt that Salt Lake City would be a good place to set solid roots, so Ken secured a position at a luxury car dealership on Main Street and the family moved back to Utah.

Looking back, what were those solid roots to become for Rene? Solid roots in Salt Lake City started with a lifelong family membership at Willow Creek Country Club, which brought both her and Ken the joy of golfing, and many good friends. Additional solid roots for Rene came with friends and employment at the ZCMI Cottonwood Department Store. Her role as a manager for the Fashion Sportswear Department revealed her talent as a well-liked natural leader. Most assuredly, Rene’s solid roots became her star role in Ken’s successful real estate business. As the business began, Ken and Rene took state real estate licensing exams together. His was the broker exam to license ownership of the business (Chidester Realtor), and hers was the sales exam to license her as a certified real estate agent. For both there was an abundance of math and legal problems in each exam. Rene passed. Ken failed. He had to re-apply. She was smart and sensible. Ken eventually passed and the two of them worked together building a successful business until both retired.

Throughout her life, Rene missed her Kansas home. When holidays would come and go, then the loneliness would come and linger. She would know that all her living brothers and sisters were at home in Kansas, and she could not be there.

Rene’s parents and all her 11 siblings have preceded her in death. From oldest to youngest, her siblings are: Isidore Paul Pfannenstiel, Wendeline Pfannenstiel, Theresa Pfannenstiel Werth, Joseph Pfannenstiel, Bertha Pfannenstiel Gross, Pauline Pfannenstiel Dreher, Alfred Pfannenstiel, Irene Pfannenstiel Graf, Euphrosine Pfannenstiel (Sister Mary Domonic), Evelyn Pfannenstiel Frank, and Melvin Pfannenstiel (BettyLou).

Several years later, Ken preceded her in death on July 31, 2016. After Ken passed away, life was quiet and lonely at her home in the Graystone Arms, and Rene soon sold her home and moved to Highland Cove Retirement Community in Salt Lake City, which was very helpful.

Rene was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, Holladay, Utah.

Rene is survived by her three children: Kelly Ray Chidester (Ginny), Murray, Utah; Raynee Chidester Bengtzen (Gary deceased), West Jordan, Utah; and Kathryn Ann Chidester Kjar (Jeff), Hansen, Idaho. Additional survivors: Grandchildren: Carrie Virginia Chidester Roberts (Brian); Wendy Lynne Chidester; Matthew West Chidester; Julie Sue Chidester Delaney (Kreg); Daniel Ray Chidester (Nereida); Anthony Teague Bengtzen (Jennifer); Kirk Everett Bengtzen (Brandi); Alicia Bengtzen Finlayson (Rick); Cory Lynn Bengtzen; Christopher David Bengtzen (Cassie); Meghan Elaine Kjar Sainsbury (Chris); Ashley Rene Kjar Anderson (Chris); Cortney Ann Kjar Butterfield (Kyle); and Whitney Elizabeth Kjar Adams (Darren). Additional Survivors: Great-Grandchildren: 25; Great-Great-Grandchildren: 6.

THANK YOU

The family expresses appreciation to Quality Home Health Hospice with special thanks to Alex and Alexis. The special way loving care was given to our Mother will never be forgotten. Her journey was made so easy for her and for us.

The family expresses appreciation to Highland Cove Assistant Living, whose staff were especially diligent, caring, kind, and so attentive to our family and our visitors. A special thanks to Jen Moulton, the director of patient care. Thank you for checking on our Mother and us so often and seeing to our needs. We were in such good hands.

The family expresses appreciation to the staff and Clergy at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church who have been so accommodating and kind. We are grateful for your listening ear and your careful organization and patience with many questions. We share your love of the Divine beauty found in the journey we all take through birth and death and thank you for including us as your close friends in your joy of that love. You make us feel at home.

The family expresses appreciation to the staff at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery for their kind guidance, wisdom, and prompt excellent service. They have made our choices and decisions easy under the weight of our loss. Thank you for caring.

FUNERAL SERVICES

A Funeral Mass will be conducted in Rene’s honor by Rev. Samuel Dinsdale at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2025, at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 1375 E Spring Lane (North of Van Winkle Expressway and East of 1300 East).

Prior to the funeral service, a Visitation (viewing) will be held for friends of the family between 10:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The Visitation will close for a private family service promptly at 10:45. Nonfamily guests will be invited to seating in the church to await the beginning of the Funeral Mass.

At the conclusion of the Funeral Mass the Committal (Graveside Service) will follow at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery.

Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery following the services.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Assistance League Salt Lake City https://www.alslc.org/donate