Barbara Pfister

Barbara Pfister, age 87, of Decorah, IA passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Barthell Eastern Star nursing home in Decorah. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the First Lutheran Church, 604 W Broadway St. in Decorah with Rev. David Severtson presiding. Burial will be at Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. The service will be livestreamed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6_vsJ5F6v8 Memorials may be directed to: First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway, Decorah, Iowa 52101, WinMed Hospice, 901 Montgomery St, Decorah, Iowa 52101, Barthell OES Home, 911 Ridgewood Dr., Decorah, Iowa 52101 or Garvin Woodland Gardens:Gordon & Barbara Pfister Singing Springs Gorge, PO Box 22240, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71903 Barbara Jean Pfister was born December 8, 1935, to Martin & Ella (Stevens) Borseth in Decorah, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. She married the love of her life, Gordon Pfister, July 14, 1956, also at First Lutheran Church. Along came Karen (1957) and Doris (1960) to fill out the family of joy and love. Together this family vacationed annually, visiting National Parks, Disney World (shortly after it opened), Canada, Florida, Colorado, and on and on, finding new adventures along the way. Barb provided in-home day care for several years while Karen & Doris were growing up, eventually taking a position as a dietary aide at Aase Haugen Home until ready to retire. Barb & Gordon continued traveling to Norway, Austria, Germany, (attending the Passion Play in Oberammergau in the year 2000); continuing their exploration of all the United States, including cruises to Alaska and Hawaii. Their retirement years were spent residing in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Loving nature and gardens, they were especially proud to be charter members of Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, AR. Barb loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Their favorite memories include playing card games, Mexican Train dominos, board games, jumping rope with the long rope tied to the garage door while Grandma turned the rope, making lefse, and reading stories. You could often find her singing sweet little songs and she loved to laugh. Barb had a gift of remembering the names of everyone she met and making them feel special. She baked LOTS of cookies, brownies, banana bread and other goodies. A traditional Norwegian woman making sure everyone has lunch. Declining health brought Barb & Gordon back to Decorah and family. Her welcoming smile helped newcomers in her community quickly feel at home. Surviving Barb are her daughters, Karen Parhizi and Doris Pfister, both of Decorah. Grandchildren: Brianna (Bill) Thomas, Albany, OR; Alan (Krystal) Lingbeck, Ozark, MO; Stephanie (Daniel) Dahlstrom, Ferndale, WA; Melissa (Shane) Pearson, Cedar Falls, IA; Brian (Aunna Escobedo-Wickham) Wickham, Cedar Rapids, IA; Kevin (Megan) Wickham, Ames, IA; AJ Wickham, Cedar Rapids, IA; as well as 9 great-grandchildren: Bella, Lilyanna, Lilly, Naomi, Rachel, Eleanor, Joshua, Audrey, Konrad and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her dear husband, Gordon (2020). Also preceded in death by her parents & siblings.