Claudia Sue Pfeifer

Claudia, Mom, Aunt Claudia, Grandma, YaYa, Dah, Sis was a kind, generous person who accepted people for who they were and didn’t have an enemy in the world. She adored children and loved them as her own even if they were not. Family was the core of her existence and nothing made her happier than being with family and friends.

Claudia was born September 9, 1943, in Kansas City, KS. The oldest of three children her maternal instincts kicked in early. She really loved her daddy and had fond memories of the time spent with her grandparents.

At 17 she met her good friend Betty Jewett who would later become her roommate and then her sister-in-law. At age 19 she met the man she would spend the rest of her life with, for better or for worse. They were married on February 6, 1965, and celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary this year.

The following years included three children (Chris, Jamie & Greg), five grandchildren (Shandi, Jordan, Rylan, Camden & Mason), five homes (one in Irving, TX, one in Santa Ana, CA & three in Shawnee, KS), two places of employment (Montgomery Ward & Home Office Reference Laboratory/LabOne/Quest Diagnostics), multiple pets, an abundance of close and dear friends and many happy memories.

While she had many activities she enjoyed throughout her lifetime (fishing, bowling, playing cards or dominoes, attending Oak Ridge Boys concerts), because she was such a generous and loving person, her hobbies often seemed to be for someone else’s benefit: sewing (clothes for her husband and children), cross-stitching and needlepoint (usually a gift for someone), quilt making (for her grandchildren).

For many years she loved to collect Precious Moments figurines – her favorites being the ones that reminded her of loved ones. That gradually turned to a penchant for collecting Hallmark ornaments as evidenced by the multiple boxes of them she accumulated. But as many ornaments as she bought for her own personal delight, she bought even more to give away. At some point, she discovered a passion for dolls and became an avid doll collector who eventually started making dolls herself.

As much as she loved her “porcelain babies” she loved her real ones even more. Nothing in the world was more important to her than her husband, three children, their spouses and five grandchildren.

Though her mind eventually failed her, she never forgot how much she loved her family. Even when her body would no longer cooperate with her wishes it didn’t stop her from trying to show her loved ones how much she cared. Be it a touch, blown kiss or a simple “I love you” that was not so simple to get out. During her hospitalizations and nursing home stays she never wanted anything more than to go home. And though she never made it back to her house she is finally and eternally Home at last.

Her devoted husband was at her side when she left this world just as he was through all her final days of struggles. While he couldn’t do anything to change the outcome he certainly did everything he could to make it more bearable. We can only hope now that she has gone on to a better place that she looks over him as well as he did her.

She was preceded in death by a mother and father she loved dearly, Parie “Pete” and Geraldine Hahn, and a younger brother, Parie “Petey” Hahn, whom she missed every day of her life.

She leaves behind a loving husband, James Pfeifer; son, Chris Pfeifer, and his daughters, Shandi and Jordan; daughter, Jamie (Pfeifer) Davis, her husband Robert and their three boys: Rylan, Camden and Mason; son, Greg Pfeifer; and a younger sister, Leslie Harmon. All of whom will now miss her every day of their lives.

The family if forever grateful for the compassion and care given by the sweet staff at The Sweet Life At Rosehill and also to all of the family and friends that supported her during this challenging time of her life.

Visitation to be held 6-8 pm, Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at McGilley & Frye Funeral Home, 105 E Loula, Olathe, KS, with Rosary at 7:30 pm. Mass will be held at 10 am, Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at St Paul’s Catholic Church, 900 S Honeysuckle Dr, Olathe, KS. Memorials may be given to Catholic Charities in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be offered at www.McGilley-Frye.com