Richard Valentine Pfister

Richard V. Pfister Dies Here July 28; Services Held Sat.

Richard V. Pfister, 78, a long-time resident and pioneer of Niobrara County, died at the Spencer Hospital Thursday, July 28, of a chronic circulatory condition. He had been confined in the hospital since May 10.

Rosary services were held Friday at 8:00 p.m. Last rites were conducted Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Leo's Catholic Church by Rev. Father M.J. McBrien. Honorary pallbearers were: Russell Bradley of Cheyenne, Edward M .Arnold, Charles Hunter, and Arthur Grimes. Active pallbears were four grandsons: Richard, Robert, Donald Pfister and Keith Farrington; and two grandsons-in-law: Philip Werner and Roland Brown. Internment was in the Lusk Cemetery with the Peet Mortuary in charge.

Born October 17, 1876 at Junction City, Kan., Mr. Pfister was the younger son of Valentine and Hannah Jane Pate Pfister. At the age of 10 he came to Wyoming with his parents who homesteaded six and a half miles southeast of Lusk. The ranch is now owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Geiser.

On April 28, 1898, Mr. Pfister married Miss Mary J. Mashek, and the couple had four children.

He continued in the stock business with his father until his parents moved to Lusk. In 1915 he purchased a ranch on Twenty Mile Creek and operated both places until 1923 when he and his family moved to Lusk. They have continued to make their home here.

He is survived by his three children: Mrs. Jane Geiser and Henry Pfister of Lusk and Mrs. Eva Farrington of Crawford; two granddaughters and six grandsons; five great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. His parents, his wife, one son, a brother and one great-granddaughter died previously.

Out-of-town relatives and friends attending the services were: Mr. and Mrs. John Pfister of Sheridan, Mrs. Jane Joy of Kaycee, Mrs. Louis Friemuth and Mrs. Mary Mracek of Alliance, Neb., Mrs. Barbara Ryder, Mrs. Viola Smith and Mrs. Charles Smith, all of Denver, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Bradley and William R. Bradley of Cheyenne.

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