Peggy Jo Pfannenstiel
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Peggy Jo (Steele) Pfannenstiel
Peggy Jo Pfannenstiel, 54, died October 11, 2016 surrounded by family at her home in Lawrence after a brief but bitter battle with cancer.
She was born February 14, 1962 in Scott City, Kan. to Todd and Donita Steele. The youngest of four children and the only girl, Peggy was doted upon by her father and mother. She was simultaneously cherished by her older brothers and terrorized by their antics. She loved and admired them each dearly.
Peggy graduated from Scott County High School and later moved to Hays where she went to college and fell in love. Within six months of meeting Pat L. Pfannenstiel, the two were engaged. They married July 21, 1984. Through all of life’s challenges and blessings, they loved each other fiercely and without reservation.
In 1988, Peggy gave birth to their first child, Brianne. Jake followed in 1991.
Peggy was the kind of wife and mother who, in many ways, knew her husband and kids better than they knew themselves. She had a way of understanding each of them, building bridges and ladders for them so they could safely navigate through life.
Peggy was also a thoughtful and selfless friend, and she made friends everywhere she went: through her work at Sallie Mae and the KU Endowment Association, through her church choir, at KU gameday tailgates, and at countless piano lessons, soccer games and band concerts.
Peggy was special. And she was loved beyond measure.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Todd and Donita Steele. Survivors include Pat Pfannenstiel, her husband of 32 years; one daughter, Brianne Pfannenstiel and Joe Preiner of Des Moines, Iowa; one son, Jake Pfannenstiel and Jessie Davidson, of Lawrence; three brothers, Mike and Sharri Steele of Scott City, Kan., Pat and Joanne Steele of Lowell, Mich., Keith and Linda Steele of Ulysses, Kan.; six nieces; seven nephews; and four grandpuppies.
A rosary recitation will be held at noon with a visitation to follow until 4 p.m. Sunday, October 16th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Parkway. A memorial mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 17th at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to support the Corpus Christi Catholic Church Choir, for which Peggy loved to sing, or to support neuro intensive care nursing at The University of Kansas Hospital and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to warrenmcelwain.com.
Pat and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. From the moment that I met Peggy, she was generous, kind, open and loving. I am praying for comfort and peace for you all as you journey through this time in your lives.
Sarah Lockwood
My heart and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I worked with Peggy at KU Endowment and she will be missed something terrible. She was such a beautiful and kind person. She left us way to soon. RIP PEGGY
Pat and family,
We are deeply saddened to hear about your loss! May God give you all strength and peace during this time.
Love,
Mike and Tammy Reeves and family
My thoughts and prayers are with your family! I worked with Peggy for several years at Kansas University Endowment Association. I am sure she is leaving a great hole at work and in your lives. She was a very great woman.
I am so sorry for your loss Pat. I will hold you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Pat,
I am so sorry to hear of the death of your lovely best friend and wife. I trust that God will offer you and your family comfort in these times. Eternal rest grant unto her oh Lord……
Camille Bollig Ellard
Pat & Family–
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I’ve stood there, and in me I hope you see the possibilities of healing and grace. May her memory be eternal!
Tony S
We are so very sorry that this awful monster, cancer, has taken the life and breath of Peggy. We pray for peace as you prepare to move forward into the uncharted waters of life without her presence. I believe that she knew her Savior and is now safely at his side, but will continue to look over you all of your days. Pat, Brianne, and Jake – stay strong and continue to lead a life to make her proud. May God bless youat this difficult time.
Pat,
I knew you only as a runner out on Clinton Pkwy, late 1990s. We would meet on the sidewalk & say “Hello,” then go on about our exercise. Eventually, we traded first names, and you told me that your wife’s name was also Peggy. I really don’t know you, nor did I know your Peggy, but I do know the pain of widowhood. I was in the early phases of it when we traded names. Thank you for brightening my mornings back then. There is no pain like the loss of the spouse who shared your life. I wish you healing.
Prayers to the family and friends. Peggy was taken from us to way to soon and so very quickly. Peggy was an awesome, special person. She seen me through some of the most difficult times in my life. She always had the right words to say to help me. I will miss her very deeply but she will always be in my heart.
Dear Pat, I have no words that can express the depth of sympathy I have for you and your family at this time of loss. I can’t imagine how hard this is. Just know I am thinking of you, and keeping you in my heart and my prayers. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything. Love, Patty.
My heart is breaking for Peggy’s family during this very difficult time. May Christ’s Peace give them comfort. Peggy was a beautiful lady, wonderful colleague at KU Endowment, and thoughtful friend. She will be greatly, greatly missed.
Brianne & family –
My mother, Cheryl Wagner, has kept me updated since Peggy was first admitted to the hospital. I honestly can’t remember a time where I would visit my mom at KU Endowment and Peggy’s smiling face wasn’t there.
My heart goes out to you. I always thought of you and your mother as kind, warm-hearted, and I saw first-hand how incredibly hard-working you were in high school. I’m sure your mother was a strong influence on you, and I know you’ll continue her legacy with grace.
Liz LaPreze (nee Bodle, LHS Class of 2006)
Peggy was a dear friend in high school.
Always smiling and positive. After college,
we both were in Lawrence and we got to reconnect
there for a bit. Still, the same beautiful Peggy.
Praying for all the families at this time.
I am so sorry for your loss. Peggy was such a beautiful woman inside and out. We worked together for several years at Sallie Mae. I have so many wonderful and fun memories of her. Even though she was my manager she was also a friend. She was the most kindhearted person and always had a smile on her face. She was so proud of her family and loved you all dearly. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Pfannenstiel family,
Mike and I pray for God’s grace to comfort and surround you during this difficult time and in the days to follow.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I am so sorry to hear about Peggy. I worked with Peggy for several years at Sallie Mae and I will always remember her beautiful smile. She was always so kind. I pray God strengthen and comfort you all.
Pat, we are shocked and saddened to read about Peggy’s death! Know that you and the family are in our Thoughts and Prayers!! May your faith & God’s strength carry you all through this difficult time. Sincerely, Bob & Karen Threlkel
Pat and family, I am so saddened by this news. It has weighed heavily on my heart and I can only imagine what you are experiencing. May our gracious Lord grant you peace, strength, and comfort in knowing that Peggy is now among the angels in heaven.
Pat (and family):
I was so shocked to read of Peggy’s passing. We’ve been neighbors for years and years, and I always admired the sweetness that I always saw with you and Peggy together. Please know I’m praying and thinking of you during these dark days. As wonderful of a person as Peggy was, we all know she is standing close by the Dear Lord and will be looking over you all forever more.
Peace to you all,
Mary Kay Howe
Pat and family,
I knew Peggy through Brianne and my daughter, Katie’s piano lessons with Phyllis. Peggy was one of my favorite parents and I loved her sense of humor. We will miss her.
We are keeping you and your family in our prayers.
Netta George
My thought and prayers are with each and everyone of you. I’m so sorry for your loss. Peggy will be greatly missed
Pat and family-
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you deal with your huge loss. It was wonderful that you were able to bring your Peggy home during her last week. She had to feel that she was home and surrounded with warmth, love and memories.
Shirley and Stan Rohr
Pat and family, I’m sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Pat, Brianna, and Jake: My heart is broken for you all. Losing Peggy is an incredibly huge loss … she really was a lovely woman. I know this is difficult time. I am praying for you and know she will be watching over you always.
With much love,
L.A. Davidson
I was so saddened to learn this news. Jake, I remember always having such lovely conversations over the years with your Mom back when you were taking drum lessons. Peggy was one of those rare parents who would call regularly every few months, just to check and follow up on how you were doing from time to time… She was a wonderful, caring person. I am very sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to you, Pat, and Brianne.
-Steve Riley
I’m so shocked and saddened to hear of Peggy’s passing. I wished we would have kept more in touch as I always considered her a good friend. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family Pat.
Jill (Barton) Hass
We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Pat and Joanne
So sorry to hear of your loss.
May our prayers comfort you.
Steve and Marlene Barnett- Meitl
It is with great regret that we pray for your family at this sorrowful time. No words can convey the heavy hearts we have at the passing of Peggy. She was a joyful person, full of life and love for all. We appreciate the welcome smile and open heart for accepting us into the folds of the family for special occasions; like Landon’s birthdays and graduations.
Sincere condolences,
Judy and Mark Desetti
Our voices lifted in tribute to you, Peggy. Our hearts will forever be lifted by your spirit.
I wanted to express my heartfelt condolences to Peggy’s family. There’s such a sense of helplessness when someone we love dies. I’d like to share some scriptural thoughts that really helps me. Prayer is so valuable at this time, but it’s not that prayer simply makes us feel better. 2 Cor. 4:7 says that God can give us,
“… power beyond what is normal “, to go from one day to the next. This does not mean that we no longer cry or that we forget, but it means we recover. The reason we recover is because of our hope. Jesus Christ talked about our hope in John 5:28, “… all those in the memorial tomb will hear his voice and come out “. Jesus was referring to the resurrection; this is our hope that helps us recover and gives us power to go on. 2 Cor. 1:3 describes our Creator as, “… the God of all comfort “. One way that God comforts us is by moving people who care about us to give us words of encouragement that we need to hear. May the God of comfort (Ps. 83:18) be your comfort now during this time of sorrow.
Pat and Family. I am so sorry for your loss. Just saw the Facebook post. May God bless you and help you through this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless. Jean and Scott
Pat, Brianne, and Jake,
We are so sorry to hear about Peggy’s passing. We are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you peace and comfort during this very difficult time.
Much love,
Dave and Judy