Verlin J. “Red” Pfeifer, 90, entered Eternal Life, October 18, 2026, at his home in Hill City, Kansas. Verlin was born March 19, 1936, to Aloysius and Katherine (Horning) Pfeifer on the family farm near Yocemento, Kansas.
He attended a country school in Hyacinth and high school at St. Joseph’s Military Academy in Hays, Kansas, where he excelled as the center on the football team. He also worked on the family farm.
He met and fell in love with a country neighbor, Virginia (Ginger) Ross. On November 24, 1953, the couple were united in Holy Matrimony at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Hyacinth, Kansas. They started their family in Plainville, Kansas where Steve and Debby were born. In 1958, they moved to Hill City where they made their home ever since. It was here that Shelly and Renee were born and completed the family.
Red was a pillar of the community where he owned and operated Pfeifer Well Service, Inc. for 20 years before developing Red’s Welding Company. He continued to work in the oil fields well into his 80’s and claimed he retired about seven times before he finally called it good.
Over the years Red enjoyed camping, bowling, tennis, horses, amateur rodeo, coaching and playing softball, and darts. He served as a Hill City Councilman and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
It can be said that “Dad” was well loved and respected by all those who knew him. He was the strongest, most unselfish person who instilled a deep faith in his family. We are forever grateful for the example he set.
Red was preceded in death by his parents; four siblings: Teresa Pfeifer, Lillian Pfeifer, Shirley Schmidt, and Patrick Pfeifer; his wife, Ginger (Ross) Pfeifer; his son, Steve Pfeifer, and his daughter, Debby (Pfeifer) Keller. Survivors include his sisters: Mary (Rick) Vogt, Elmhurst, Illinois, Sheila (Tim) Thompson, Westwood, Becky (Dave) Tolemy, Bloomingdale, Illinois; his children: Shelly Crippen (James Treu), Lenexa, Renee (Mack) Aspinall, Towanda; daughter-in-law Jeanie Pfeifer, Pratt; son-in-law Don Keller, Hutchinson; 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; and his very dear companion, Evea Rumpel, WaKeeney.
“Our dad, Red Pfeifer, was a multigenerational effective leader, friend, husband, father, grandfather, and man…. a powerful and loving force in so many lives. We will honor and love you always Red…Dad…Grandpa.”
A Rosary and visitation will be held Friday, November 6. 2026 beginning at 7:00 P.M. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hill City, Kansas.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hill City, Kansas.
Memorials may be made to the Knights of Columbus or the Kansas State University Center for Basic Cancer Research in care Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy Ave., Hill City, Kansas