Wayne Pfeiffer, 74
Wayne Edwin Pfeiffer, 74, of Freeman, S.D., passed away peacefully on March 16, 2025 after a 14 year battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and prostate cancer.
A celebration of life will be held at the Freeman Community Center on Saturday, April 12. A short program will begin at 5 p.m. with the family welcoming stories from friends and family members. Food and fellowship will follow.
Wayne was born on Aug. 10, 1950 in Freeman to Esther (Koerner) Pfeiffer and Edwin Pfeiffer. He and his four siblings grew up on a farm west of Freeman, which is where he developed an incredible work ethic and toughness that stuck with him through the rest of his life. Wayne spent his lower grades attending country school at the Walz School District #87, before attending St. Paul Lutheran School in Freeman. He later went on to graduate from Freeman High School in 1968. Wayne proudly graduated from the University of South Dakota-Springfield, where he earned a bachelor of science in education.
On Sept. 15, 1972, he married Mary Hauser from Parkston, S.D., and they raised four children on their farm southeast of Freeman. Besides his time at college, Wayne spent his whole life in Freeman teaching, coaching, and farming. Wayne taught a variety of subjects throughout his 34 years at Freeman Public Schools, but his favorite was psychology. Countless students heard his infectious laugh and funny stories in class. He also took great pride in coaching basketball, and he loved the relationships he made with coaches and players from around the state. In addition to teaching and coaching, Wayne lived and breathed farming. He found great contentment working with livestock, driving a tractor, or fixing machinery in the yard, often with baling twine or duct tape.
In his free time, Wayne was a talented hunter and specifically enjoyed the challenge of bow hunting deer. He also loved time spent fishing and took long road trips to Canada and northern Minnesota with his children and friends to find the best walleye. Even though Wayne was an avid outdoorsman, he was also a strong bass and enjoyed singing beside his daughters for years in his church choir. Wayne fondly spoke of his younger days when he competed in Shotokan Karate, and he often showed those moves around the house as his children were growing up.
Wayne stayed courageous in his fight with cancer because he lived for the extra days with his children and grandchildren. They were his pride and joy, and he was quick to share a story about his grandchildren with whomever would listen. His favorite place was sitting on the sidelines of a game watching a grandchild playing a sport they loved.
Wayne’s family is incredibly grateful to all of the medical professionals who fought beside him over the last several years. The meaningful and lasting relationships he created with many of his healthcare providers made his journey with cancer just a little bit easier.
Grateful for having shared Wayne’s life are his children: Jason (Joni) Pfeiffer of Orono, Minn., Justin (Senta) Pfeiffer of Sioux Falls, Tara (Chad) Stadem of Sioux Falls and Ashley (Jason) Livermont of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; along with 11 beloved grandchildren; sisters, Pat (Larry) Kleinschmit of Yankton, and Marilyn Engel of Menno; brother-in-law, Dan Liebl of Menno; and many other friends and family.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Nancy Liebl; brother, Roy Pfeiffer; and brother-in-law, Duane Engel.
