Sylvia Pfanku

VISITATION:

10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church, 467 E. Colome Street, Chippewa Falls

SERVICE:

11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church, 467 E. Colome Street, Chippewa Falls

Sylvia M. Pfanku, 84, of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin passed peacefully into her heavenly home surrounded by her family on September 14, 2016 under the care of St. Joseph's hospice at Lake Hallie Memory Care.

Sylvia was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Myron and Sylvia (Solberg) Moen on January 25, 1932. She graduated from Black River Falls High School in Wisconsin with the class of 1950. She attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. In 1954, she married the love of her life, Vern Pfanku, in Madison, Wisconsin. They shared the next 61 years together. She was everything to him throughout their lives.

Music, faith, and teaching were her passions. She and her husband raised their four children while living primarily in California and Nevada in the 1960s and 1970s. A loving and dedicated mother, she passed along her strong faith in God to her children while acting as a role model herself. Active in Lutheran church music programs as a soloist, pianist and organist, she also ensured that all of her children attended church, vacation Bible school, and parochial schools whenever possible. She inspired in her children a strong belief in God and respect for spiritual values. (Note: The only time she ever exceeded the speed limit was when we were late for church!)

While living in California, Sylvia also served as an officer in the PTA at St. Paul's Lutheran School and as a Girl Scout leader. Her artistic talents and love for her children could be seen in the many outfits she sewed for them. An accomplished seamstress, she also sewed beautiful clothes for herself, working from the most simple to the most complex patterns. And she always wore them well.

An excellent bridge player, she also enjoyed playing bridge with other couples.

In 1969, the family moved to Carson City, Nevada. During the 1970s, she assisted her husband in his engineering business and was active in several groups: the Community Concert Association (as a publicist), Bethlehem Lutheran and St. Paul's Lutheran Churches (volunteering as a soloist at both). She loved being a soloist and was an elegant and inspiring performer before larger groups of people.

In 1981, she completed her Bachelor's degree from Christ College in Irvine, California and received her teaching credential. She truly found her calling in teaching. Hundreds of heartfelt thank you notes from students, parents and colleagues attest to the fact that she was a well-loved Lutheran school teacher of 2nd and 4th graders in California and Colorado for 20+ years. She also put her musical talent to use and was active in church and school music programs as a director, participant, and pianist. Sylvia encouraged and promoted the music curriculum at all the schools she taught at.

In her spare time, she loved a good mystery novel and "Murder, She Wrote." She had a good sense of humor and made those of us in her family laugh out loud at the accents and impressions of people she could do effortlessly.

In her last years, she loved the long rides throughout the beautiful Wisconsin countryside that her husband, Vern, took her on. The simple joy of just being by his side was something she cherished.

Sylvia was a beautiful person inside and out. She and her ever-present smile will be dearly missed by the husband who loved her more than anything, by her students, and by her children.

Sylvia is survived by her husband of 61 years, Vern; her children Kristin Pfanku of Reno, Nevada, Erik Pfanku of Dallas, Texas, Lisa (Mitch) Brown of Lino Lakes, Minnesota and Jeanne (Michael) Haase of Jaffrey, New Hampshire; grandchildren Ernest, David, Heather, Trevor, Lindsey, Justin, Jacob and Johnmichael; great-grandchildren, Mia and Belen; and sister Judith (Paul) Thomsen of Madison, Wisconsin.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents and her granddaughter, Amanda Brooke.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday (TODAY), September 17, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church, 467 E. Colome Street, Chippewa Falls, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Rev. Mark Homp will be officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetary, Chippewa Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to be donated to Christ Lutheran Church School, 467 E Colome St, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.