Frances Ellen Pfeifauf

Frances Ellen Pfeifauf was born on October 7, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri, and died on January 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, at age 92. Frances is survived by her eight children: Harriet (“Hattie”), Nick, Jennifer (“Jenny”), Jerry, John, Konrad, Mary Jo, and Bernard (“Bernie”), and was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Charles Jr. (“Puff”). She was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Pfeifauf, about whom she’d say to her children, “I couldn’t wait to marry him.” She is survived by her brother, Leo V. Mitchell.

Frances was someone who liked to have a good time, and she lived life well. Her loved ones describe her as “mischievous” even. She loved to sneak cigarettes, and, as a young woman, she once accidentally lit a dumpster on fire while extinguishing a cigarette she didn’t want her father to catch her smoking. Another amusing anecdote involves her sneaking a bottle of bourbon in an empty Lucky Charms cereal box on annual family vacations to Pensacola, Florida. She liked little cars and loved to drive; however, by all accounts, she was not a good driver. But that didn’t stop her from savoring a good joyride in her Mazda.

Frances could be relied upon to say yes to life: She loved to travel and delighted in kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland and marveled at the streets of Paris. Closer to home, she led the charge on adventure, too. Once, she snuck her grandchild Emily out of the house to attend a midnight movie screening of a Harry Potter film on its opening night. An infamous night owl, a midnight start time was a nonissue for Frances. She was a huge reader and devoured books. Parlaying a love of words into a profession, she enjoyed working as a medical transcriptionist at Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City, where she was once named Employee of the Month. 

Frances also loved to be around people and threw great parties. She was a fantastic host, made everyone feel welcome, and encouraged those she loved to attend. “Come on,” she’d say, “you’re coming to the party. Come on.” She appreciated people for who they were; she never judged anybody. “She just liked people, and was kind to everyone,” said her daughter, Mary Jo. “She didn’t try to be anyone she wasn’t. That’s one of the things that people loved about her––she met people where they were.” 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 23rd, from 6-8pm, with Rosary prayed at 7:30pm, at Muehlebach Funeral Care on 6800 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64131. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10am on Friday, January 24th at Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64113.