Michael Pfannenstiel: Originally from Hays, Kansas
It is with deep sadness we report the death of Michael Pfannenstiel, 74, of Buda, TX who passed away on August 24, 2025, from Agent Orange related illnesses. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother Ron (2014).
There will be a Celebration of Mike’s life at 10:00 am on Wednesday September 3, 2025. This Celebration will be held at Celebration Community Church, 5790 230th Ave. Hays, Kansas. Following the service, we will proceed to the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas, where Mike will be laid to rest. If you would like to express your condolences or share memories of Mike, please join the family for visitation and fellowship beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time service.
Mike was born on 23 December 1950 in Hays, Kansas where he lived for the first 17 years of his life. He was the son of Ted and Rosie (Kisner) Pfannenstiel who owned and operated Ted’s Steakhouse. Working in the family’s restaurant provided Mike with a lifelong appreciation for cooking.
Mike met the woman that captured his heart, Anne E. Johnson, at Chula Vista Community College in Chula Vista, Ca in 1975 and they were married in 1977. Mike is survived by his wife Anne Elizabeth (Johnson) of 45 years. He is also survived by 2 sons, Dustin and Mark both of Austin, Texas. 1 daughter Erica Wood (Eric), New Braunfels, Texas and a grandson Jared Pfannenstiel, Augusta, Maine. He is survived by 2 sisters, Debra Kingsley (Doug) of Hays, Kansas, Christine Unrein (Bruce) of Hays, KS. and 1 brother Wesley (Nancy) of Panama City, FL.
Upon graduating from St. Josephs Military Academy in May of 1968, Mike attended the School of Automation in Kansas City, Missouri where he was introduced to the world of computers. Mike enlisted in December of 1969 with the U.S. Navy and attended boot camp in San Diego, Ca. where he completed Radioman A school in April of 1970. Mike volunteered for duty in Vietnam and flew directly to Saigon, RVN. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Page County LST1076, which was home ported out of Guam but was assigned river duty in Vietnam. The ship performed duties in Chu Lai and Danang. Following the decommissioning of the U.S.S. Page County in December of 1970, Mike was assigned to BeachMasterUnitOne located in Coronado, Ca. In February of 1971 his unit, Beach Party Team Bravo, was deployed to Southeast Asia where his unit performed duties in Danang and was part of Amphibious Ready Group Alpha which supported the Northern Pacific Region. In 1972 Mike again was deployed this time with Beach Party Team Alfa and returned to Southeast Asia and returned to Danang as part of Amphibious Ready Group Alpha. BeachMasterUnitOne Beach Party Team Alfa took part in removing the mines from Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam during Operation End Sweep, from December 1972 to February of 1973. In December 1973 Mike was discharged from the US Navy. Due to Agent Orange contamination Mike was classified as a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran.
After Mike’s discharge he served 4 years with the US Navy as a civilian communications specialist in Coronado, Ca. and in 1978 applied for employment with the Central Intelligence Agency and was hired in August of 1978. Mike served in the CIA from 1978 through 2005 as a Staff Officer and lived with his family in various overseas and stateside locations. Mike retired as a Senior Communications Intelligence Officer and upon retirement received the Career Commendation Medal for exemplary service significantly above normal duties that had an important contribution to the Agency's mission. Mike served a total of 45 years working for the Government as an enlisted military communications operator, a CIA staff officer and as a Government Communications contractor. Mike enjoyed baseball and movies and was passionate about playing competitive steel tip darts. Mike earned numerous trophies and team events throughout his long association within the darts world. He met some of the world’s top players and enjoyed exchanging stories with them. Mike became a member of the local VFW Post 3377 in Manchaca, TX upon retirement in 2016 and served in many capacities such as House Committee Chairman, Canteen Manager, Post Adjutant, Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Post Commander and for many years was the editor of the VFW Post 3377 newsletter and VFW Post 3377’s Website. Mike wished to be buried in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas where his uncle Marvin Pfannenstiel also lies in rest. Asked why there, he said “I want to lay in a field with Hero’s”.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be sent to the Wounded Warrior project