Hays -- Josephine Mary Pfeifer, 89, Centennial Towers, died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2001, at Hays Medical Center in Hays. She was born June 27, 1912, to John C. and Barbara (Steinbach) Befort in Munjor.

She married Alex P. Pfeifer Aug. 19, 1941, in Hyacinth. He died Nov. 9, 1992.

She was a homemaker and had worked in housekeeping at St. Anthony's Hospital in Hays. She was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hays. She was also a member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.

Survivors include two sons, Leonard F. Pfeifer, Pottsboro, Texas, and Jerry Pfeifer, Jamestown; one daughter, Norma J. Ruder, Liberal; one step-son, Edward Pfeifer, Hays; one step-daughter, Mildred Dinges, Pottsboro; one brother, Aloysius Befort, Grand Island, Neb.; four sisters, Jane Gottschalk, Hays, and Agnes England, Esther Stals and Bernice England, all of New Bedford, Mass.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; and six step-great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by six brothers, Alex Befort, Connie Befort, Francis Befort, Clarence Befort, John Befort and William J. Befort; and three sisters, Albina Pfeifer, Irene Wilson and Elizabeth Befort.

A parish vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hays. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hays with the Father Don Zimmerman presiding. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Friday and from 8:30-9:45 a.m. Saturday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Burial will be at the St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays.

Memorials are suggested to either the Cancer Council of Ellis County or the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.

Southwest Daily Times, Liberal KS, 11/15/2001