Courtenay Pfiffner

VISITATION

5-7 p.m., Friday, August 29 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel.

SERVICE

11 a.m., Saturday, August 30 at Christ Episcopal Church, 624 Bay St., Chippewa Falls.

Courtenay M. Pfiffner, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at her home in ChippewaFalls where she had resided for almost 60 years.She was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother and a blessing to all whose lives she touched.

She was born December 26, 1924 in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of Courtenay (Chatham) and Kenneth Douglas McKenzie, Sr.She grew up in Texas, later moving with her parents to Kansas City.

On June 27, 1945, she married John Huntington Francis in Kansas City, Missouri. They moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin in 1949 where their three children were born. The family then moved to ChippewaFalls in 1955. John preceded her in death on June 10, 1984.

On September 12, 1987, she married Robert Pfiffner.They resided in ChippewaFalls, where they enjoyed 27 wonderful years together.

Courtenay enjoyed volunteering in the community, which she did generously. She was active in politics, chairman of the local United Way Fund Drive, a member of the Auxiliary of Saint Joseph's Hospital, a tutor for Literacy Volunteers of America, as well as many other organizations. She was also a member of Christ Episcopal Church, where she was active with the Altar Guild. She later became a member of Notre Dame Parish.

Courtenay cherished the time she spent with friends. The "Supper Club", which had spanned close to six decades, resulted in lifelong friendships. She loved to play bridge, often saying that God gave her the best bridge group in the world, which included her dear friends Jinx, Betty, Hess and Julie.

Painting with watercolors was a passion of Courtenay's and her beautiful flower paintings are treasured. She finished her last painting just three weeks ago and was probably thinking about what she was going to paint next. Courtenay also always loved her time at the family cabin in Cable.

She is survived by her husband, Robert of Chippewa Falls; children, Courtenay "Missy" (Jeff) Stepanek of Eau Claire, John H. "Hunt" (Laurie) Francis, Jr. of Chippewa Falls; Sarah (Timothy) O'Neil of Eau Claire; grandchildren, Matthew (Lori) Stepanek, Michael (Diana) Stepanek, Elizabeth Stepanek, Alice (Tony) Cherian, John Francis III, Courtenay (Jason Bydash) O'Neil, Timothy (Amy) O'Neil, Jr., Calley O'Neil; great-grandchildren, Kyra, Camryn, Teagan and Daxton Stepanek, Maddie and Patrick O'Neil and Evelyn Bydash; step-sons, Jim Pfiffner and Tom (Laurie) Pfiffner; step-grandchildren Mica (Collin) Bennett, Erica (Jon) Wahler, Simon (Elizabeth) Pfiffner and Zachary ( Katy Chenoweth) Pfiffner and step-great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Norah, Claire Bennett, Alaina and Mila Wahler, Lucas Pfifffner; two nephews, Doug (Deborah) McKenzie and William (Jennifer) McKenzie; brother-in-law, Hugh (Jan) Francis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, John; her brother, Douglas McKenzie and her step-daughter-in-law, Pamela Pfiffner.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 30 at Christ Episcopal Church, 624 Bay Street, Chippewa Falls with the Reverend Aaron Zook, the Very Reverend Michael Greene, the Very Reverend Scott Kirby and the Reverend Msgr. Mark Pierce of the Church of Notre Dame, officiating. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, August 29 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls.

Memorials may be designated to the St. Joseph's Auxiliary, Christ Episcopal Church or Notre Dame Parish.

AFTERSERVICE

A funeral service for Courtenay M. Francis Pfiffner, 89, of Chippewa Falls was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 30 at Christ Episcopal Church, Chippewa Falls. Those taking part in the Requiem Mass were celebrant and homilist, The Rev. Aaron Zook; officiant and concelebrant, The Very Rev. H. Scott Kirby; assisting priests, The Very Rev. Michael Greene and The Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce; and Deacon, The Rev. Georgia Agner. Musicians were Laurie Francis and John Francis III, organist, George Utphall and soloist, Beth Anne Martinek.

Interment and graveside service was at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls with bagpipes played by The Honorable Roderick Cameron. Casket bearers were Matthew and Michael Stepanek, Timothy O'Neil Jr., John Francis III, Tony Cherian and Paul Nelson. Courtenay's angels and honorary casket bearers were Mazie Bleskachek, Rita Krumenauer, Theresa Sommerfeld, Connie Christensen, Kathy Freedy, Donna Knutson, Justine Knutson, Belinda Dressel and Robin Atkinson.