Cora Lee (Schmidt) Pfannenstiel, age 82 of Hays, Kansas died Friday, May 1, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays. She was born June 22, 1937, on the farm north of Catharine, Kansas to Alexius F. and Sibylla (Schmeidler) Schmidt. She married Melvin Pfannenstiel on January 2, 1960, at Severian, Kansas.
She was a nurse for 43 years working at St. Anthony Hospital, Hays; Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend; and High Plains Mental Health Center, Hays for over 30 years until she retired in 2004. Cora Lee was an Obstetrics-Newborn nurse, Orthopedic Supervisor Nurse, Recovery Room nurse, Medical/Surgical/Operating Room nurse, and a Community Outreach Consultant / Nurse Educator. She grew up on the farm at Catharine, attended Catharine Grade School and was a 1955 graduate of Victoria High School. She received her Nursing Degree in 1958 from St. Anthony School of Nursing, and her BSN Degree in 1973 from Fort Hays State University. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays and the Hays Nursing Club. Cora Lee gave grief recovery Seminars since 1981, was a volunteer Red Cross Nurse, HIV/AIDS Counselor and Educator Instructor, and KADACC /ADAS Certified.
Survivors include her husband, Melvin Pfannenstiel, of the home; one son, Mark Pfannenstiel, of the home; one daughter, Cindy Pfannenstiel, Pensnett, England.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Matthew Pfannenstiel.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 West 13th Street, Hays, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.
The family suggests memorials to Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com Due to the coronavirus if you have a cough, fever or not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on line guestbook.