Virgil V. Pfalzgraf

Virgil Verdean Pfalzgraf, was born in Holstein, Iowa on September 6, 1929, to Charles and Amanda (Sorensen) Pfalzgraf. He grew up on the Pfalzgraf family farm North of Holstein along with 3 sisters (Mildred, Gladys, Shirley) and 2 brothers (Charles Jr. & LaVere). He attended Holstein High School graduating in 1948. While in high schoo,l Virgil played fullback/halfback on the football team and ran track. His relay team (Dale Meyer, Virgil, Roger Miles, Herb Hunt) won top honors and missed going to State by one race losing to a team from Sioux City.

After graduation, he worked with his father on the family farm and then entered the United States Air Force. He was stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA. After his military service, Virgil returned to Holstein and took over the family farm, which had been in the family since the early 1890’s when his grandfather acquired the land. After his retirement, he kept his hand in farming by working seasonally for Galva-Holstein Ag, driving their water truck and for fellow farmers hauling their harvest to the elevator in Holstein.

On December 24, 1950, Virgil married LaVera Joyce Ehler – his songbird in the church balcony. Virg and LaVera were married 61 years. LaVera passed away on April 16, 2011. They were blessed with three children: son, Kellye, and daughters, Kerrie Sue and Karna Jo. Virgil was always there for his wife and his children. He had an interesting way of looking at life and the challenges it placed in front of him.

Virgil was a member of Dessel Schmidt Post 225 of the American Legion. You could find Virg proudly escorting fellow veterans in his 1966 Mustang convertible during the Post’s annual Memorial Day Parade or in his earlier years helping at weekly bingo games in the legion hall. He was always quick with a smile and a chuckle.

Virgil dedicated his life to his family, God and the work that was given him to do. He was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Holstein. He was baptized on Sept. 29, 1929, and he was confirmed on May 23, 1943. He served the church as deacon and elder. He was a member of their Men’s Club and the Starlighters. He often chaperoned St. Paul’s Youth Group on religious “trips”. He had many stories from time spent at Outlaw Ranch in South Dakota and Holden Village in the Cascade Mountains of Northern Washington. He attended bible study classes with LaVera, both at the church and at the Lutheran Bible Camp at Lake Okoboji. He lived his Faith in his gentle way of interacting with people.

Virgil enjoyed and was drawn to children. The kids in the neighborhood could eventually be found sitting with him as he rested on the front porch enjoying nature and the movement of traffic and people. He dearly loved his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. It never ceased to amaze him what they would say or how they handled a dilemma.

While his light has given in to the wind that gives flight to all our journeys, there will always be a glimmer left behind in each of our hearts. We will honor him by using in our lives those things he taught us throughout his life.

Virgil is survived by his Son: Kellye Pfalzgraf, Daughter-in-Law: Charlotte Pfalzgraf (Kellye), Granddaughter: Joy Fuller (Kellye & Charlotte), Grand Son-in-Law: Kevin Fuller (Joy), Great Granddaughters: Hannah & Gretchen (Joy and Kevin), Granddaughter: Samantha Pfalzgraf (Kellye and Charlotte), Daughter: Kerrie Sue Pfalzgraf, Daughter: Karna Jo Free, Son-In-Law: John Free (Karna Jo), Granddaughter: Kayla Elemond (Karna Jo & John), Sister: Shirley Hanson, Sisters-in-Law: Verna Ehler and Norma Ehler, many nieces, nephews and friends.