Sheila Pfeiffer

Sheila Kay (Nordhausen) Pfeiffer was born August 20,1954 in Imperial, Nebraska to Vernon and Ramona (Kerchal) Nordhausen. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in rural southwest Nebraska. She grew up on the South Divide of Wauneta, Nebraska, attending Wauneta Public Schools and graduating in 1972. 

Around the ripe age of about two and a half years old, she became a loving sister to Sharla. Their sisterly relationship was a joy to watch over the years and their bond was particularly strong, especially after losing their dad while in their early 20’s. There are many photos of them in matching outfits their mom made for them and they had the opportunity to play on the same softball team with their mom as young adults.

Growing up, Sheila helped on the family farm, and enjoyed playing volleyball, softball and was on the track team. Her work ethic was evident early on. She also enjoyed large family gatherings with her Kerchal cousins on Sunday afternoons growing up, as they were (ARE) a lively and vivacious bunch. 

After graduating high school, Sheila attended McCook Community College. One evening while checking for mail in the mailroom she ran into a certain gentleman named Dennis Pfeiffer and a few months later they were joined at the hip and married on June 29,1974, at St. Pauls, just like her parents and paternal grandparents. They were blessed with two children, Kerri and Eric. They were also fortunate to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this past summer.

After graduating from McCook Community College they transferred to the University of Nebraska Lincoln and she attended classes, played softball briefly for the UNL team, and worked at the Russell Stovers Candy Factory after they had Kerri.

After Dennis’s graduation In early 1977, the young family moved to Eustis, Nebraska, where Sheila quickly integrated herself into the community playing in many leagues including volleyball, softball, bowling and tennis (Dennis included!) and making many memories with their neighborhood friends in their card club. While living in Eustis, they welcomed Eric to the crew and their family was complete.

In 1985 they moved to Wauneta to the farm where Sheila grew up and made their life there together until she departed this life on January 5, 2025 at home. She was 70 years young. For nearly four decades they farmed, raised cattle (she was a huge fan of happy baby calves running around the lots), a plethora of cats, and three dogs. Every year she planted flowers in the yard and was the ever–committed driver of the smallest truck to haul wheat to the Wauneta Elevator in the summer.

As her children grew, she was at all the ball games, band concerts, speech meets, track meets, and any other possible activity her kids participated in. Her unwavering support of her husband and kids flowed right into supporting her six grandchildren in the last 20 years. She attended many a volleyball, football, and basketball game and golf or track meet over the years. Graison, Griffin, Soiyer, Raleigh, Simon and Hazel were true and absolute lights in her life and she loved them with her entire heart. She loved playing card games, board games, coloring, and watching movies with them and laughed thoroughly and genuinely at their antics, which are many. 

In case all of the above wasn’t enough, Sheila was also active in the Wauneta Community. She served as Secretary on the Redeemer Lutheran Church Council, Secretary of Legion Auxiliary Post 304 and Memorial Day Lunch Sloppy Joe Maker - Extraordinaire (Dennis stirred the pot), and had been employed at Walgren’s Supermarket and Grimm’s Hardware. She was also a Bronco Booster when her kids were in their “Bronco Prime”, which encompassed most of the 1990’s.

Sheila also found time to scrapbook and was committed to the genealogy of her and Dennis’ families. They made time to stop by many cemeteries around Nebraska to find ancestors and connect the familial dots and lines. Fortunately, those lines never crossed. In recent times, much to everyone’s surprise, she even started watching westerns with Dennis.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Ramona Nordhausen and her inlaws, Oscar W. & Inez Pfeiffer. She is survived and dearly missed by husband, Dennis, of Wauneta. Daughter Kerri (Ryan) Mees of Lincoln and Griffin, Simon & Hazel. Son Eric (Carrie) Pfeiffer and Graison, Soiyer & Raleigh of Pierce, Nebraska. Sister Sharla (Darrel) Klima of Wauneta. Sister in Law Cathy (Joe) Babcock of Austin, TX and Brother in Law Dan (Sharon) Pfeiffer of Gothenburg. She has many nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews and even a great-great niece & nephew that she greatly adored. Not to mention the large extended family of cousins near and far as well as many, many dear friends from all phases of life.

The family will receive guests from 4:00-6:00 P.M.(Mountain Time) on Thursday, January 9, at Liewer Funeral Home in Wauneta. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. (Mountain Time) at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauneta. Cremation was chosen and inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, west of Wauneta.

Memorials may be sent to the family for later designation.