Merlin F.

Pfeifer

Merlin Pfeifer, 81, was called to his Savior in Heaven on Saturday, September 23, 2017, at his home in Lake Mills, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 29, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lake Mills at 3 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1 p.m.

Burial with military honors will be held immediately after the service at St. Paul Lutheran cemetery.

Memorials, if desired, may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lakeside Lutheran High School, Rainbow Hospice, or another charity.

Merlin Frederick Pfeifer was born on July 5, 1936, at Watertown Memorial Hospital. He was raised on a family dairy farm in Farmington, attended a country grade school, and graduated from Johnson Creek High School in 1954.

Merlin enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on August 31, 1954, and served his country until October 15, 1962, when he was honorably discharged.

Merlin was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Rose Stuedli, on June 16, 1956, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Farmington. He and his wife Rose moved to Lake Mills in 1956, and joined St. Paul Lutheran Church where he served on various boards and as an usher for many years.

Merlin worked at Schweiger Furniture in Jefferson, then Milwaukee Chair Company and Brickel Associates, both in Lake Mills.

He always found time to spend with his children, and enjoyed coaching his two sons when they played Little League baseball together.

In 1976, Merlin started his own business which was called Lake Mills Furniture, and located at 1204 South Main Street. He later moved to downtown Lake Mills and changed the name to Pfeifer's Decorating Center, which he operated until 1998 when he retired. He continued to reupholster furniture in his home workshop for several years thereafter.

Merlin enjoyed many years of active retirement together with his wife Rose, traveling, golfing, hiking, biking, and playing cards.

Merlin proudly watched his children and grandchildren play football, basketball, baseball, and other sports; or perform in their recitals and concerts. He always looked forward to annual vacations in Minocqua, fishing, spending time with family and friends, and going to church to hear the word of the Lord. Merlin also enjoyed the time he spent working as a volunteer at Twice Is Nice thrift shop in Jefferson.

Merlin is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rose, and four children, Reg (Michele) Pfeifer of Appleton, Rod (Paula) Pfeifer of Oconomowoc, Cheryl (Dan) Siehr of Fitchburg, and Christine (Anthony) Smith of Aspen, Colorado; thirteen grandchildren, Kirsten (Joshua) Schwartz, Emily Pfeifer, Jess (Danielle) Pfeifer, Alissa (Mark) Schroeder, Kelly (Kyle) Plath , Adam Allister, Alex Allister, Alyssa (Tyler) Schoen, Aaron Allister, Andrew Siehr, Chloe Smith, Chantal Smith, and Alexandra Smith; seven great-grandchildren, Lydia, Eli, and Mya Schroeder, Cade and Camden Pfeifer, Noah Plath, and Mariah Schwartz; brother Kenneth Pfeifer of Johnson Creek, sisters-in-law Marcella Pfeifer of Watertown and Carol Heidemann of Cumberland, and many other relatives.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, brother Marvin Pfeifer, brothers-in-law Robert Stuedli, Franklin Borth, and Joe Heidemann; and sisters-in-law Ardell Pfeifer and Barbara Sickels.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Rainbow Hospice of Johnson Creek for the tender care they provided Merlin at the end of his life.

We loved him, and will miss him dearly.