Jeannie Marie Pfeffer
7/7/1932 - 10/12/2014

She was Jean or Jeannie to friends and acquaintances, to family she was Mom Pfeffer and Grandma Jeannie, our Mother/Grandmother passed away Sunday morning, October 12, 2014, in Lake Andes, South Dakota.

Jean cherished her family and close friends. She is survived by her sister Ilene L. Anderson, and her three sons Michael E. Pfeffer (Arlis) of Clancy, MT, Daniel L. Pfeffer (Cindy) of Pierre, SD, and Samuel J. Pfeffer (and friend Jackie) of Wagner, SD. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchilden, Kara Flanagan (Scott), Danella Moore (Nate), Josh Pfeffer (Karna), and Sheena Donatello; and great-grandchildren, Fisher, Avery, Carter, Flynn, Kinslee, Kaehlyn, Jocelyn, Tayton and Brett, as well as nieces and nephews.

Jean's husband, Francis M. Pfeffer preceded her in death at a very early age in 1975. She is also preceded in death by her brother Leonard G. Wakefield, sister Elva B. Davis, Father Basil A. Wakefield, Step-Father William Edwards, and her Mother Esther Marie Griffin-Wakefield-Edwards. Her two best friends also preceded her in death, Lloyd L. Lippman and Margaret M. Baumgartner.

Jean was born in Spencer, Nebraska, attended school in Butte, NE and Wayne State College before teaching country school in rural NE.

Jean married Francis (Fritz) M. Donatell-Pfeffer on July 11, 1953. Her home was quickly filled the next three years with what she referred to as her three little rhythms. She spent the next 20 plus years raising her family in Pickstown, SD, before moving to Watertown, SD, and then to Helena, MT for 30 plus years. Her last four years were spent in Lake Andes, SD in the HealthCare Center.

Jean had many careers and interests from teaching to retail sales of ladies clothing and jewelry. She worked at Blue Cross/Blue Shield, St. Peter's Hospital, Office of Public Instruction, and Barnes Jewelry. Upon retirement she enjoyed time with her special friend and companion, Lloyd Lippman, traveling throughout the United States and visiting family and friends.

One thing Mom Pfeffer will always be remembered for is how she welcomed friends and family into her home. If it was meal time, she'd put out an extra plate and serve with love. During entertaining in her home, she made holidays and special occasions a priority with Christmas being her favorite. Some of her hobbies were home decorating and crafting, cooking and baking, planting flowers and doing yard work with Lloyd, and making special cards for family and friends. Her beauty was accented by her blue eyes and was always dressed to perfection, no matter what she was doing. She was well known for her beautiful penmanship which will be remembered by us all.

Her family wants to thank all who spent time with her during her lifetime, especially those that took the time to stop and visit Mom during her last years in SD. Best wishes and blessings to you all! Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be observed at a later date per her wishes. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

My Grandma Pfeffer is in heaven today singing "Amazing Grace" after years of darkness…today she can see again. I look forward to the day I can see her again and she can see me. Today when she woke up she no longer had to endure another day of darkness. It has been so painful to see her these last few years. Though she will never read the last letter I wrote her, she will always know the love that we all had for her. Love you Grandma! (written by Kara)

The following was one of Mom's favorites (which was painted on the entryway in her home):

I have spent a lifetime dancing with love,
and what has it given me?
A compass when I was lost…
Safety when I was in danger…
The will to go on when everything
was saying give up.
When I was young, love teased me…
Now that I am older,
love sustains me.

Author Unknown