Elmer Jacob Pfeifer

BEARCREEK - Elmer Jacob Pfeifer was born on July 14, 1925 in Pickardville, N.D., and passed away peacefully on Oct. 17, 2010, at his home in Bearcreek, surrounded by his family.

Elmer grew up in North Dakota until enlisting in the United States Navy. He served for three years in the South Pacific aboard the USS Stevens. Upon returning to the states in 1946, he continued his courtship with Shirley McDonald of Bearcreek until they were married on May 16, 1948.

During their 62 years of marriage, Elmer and Shirley and their three children traveled throughout the Midwestern states pursuing Elmer's career in the petroleum industry. He started out as a pipeline wilder and then reached his goal of owning a business in pipeline construction. In addition to his construction interests, he owned an over the road trucking firm for many years.

Some of Elmer's interests were golfing, water and snow skiing, bowling, boating and fishing. However, what he enjoyed the very most was spending time with his eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren (with another on the way).

Elmer is survived by his wife; three children, Margaret (Vic) Larsen of Cody, Wyo., Dan (Yvonne) Pfeifer of Deer Lodge and Debbie (Del) Watson of Billings; eight grandchildren, Sara (Chris) Rasmussen of Columbus, Ben (Alena) Larsen of Cody, Derek (Amber) Pfeifer of Hastings, Neb., Nicole (Phil) Quigley of Missoula, Brian Pfeifer of Deer Lodge, Ashley Sims of Billings, Sydney Watson and her fiancé Brandon Harris of Billings, and Sadie Watson of Bismarck, N.D.; and seven great-grandchildren, Erika Larsen, Emily Larsen, Dylan Wyllie, Brooklyn Wyllie, Eric Rasmussen, Kenna Pfeifer and Grace Harris.

Also surviving are four sisters, two brothers, three half-brothers, two stepbrothers, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, stepmother and two brothers-in-law.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. Interment with full military honors will be in the Red Lodge Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Beartooth Hospice, Box 590, Red Lodge MT 59068, or to the Shrine Transportation Fund, 1125 Broadwater Ave., Billings, MT 59102.