Elaine Elizabeth Peifer

Elaine E. (Tintes) Peifer, 95, a lifetime resident of Litchfield, died Oct. 18, 2015, at Coventry Senior Living in Mahtomedi, surrounded by the love of her family. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield, MN. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield, MN with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Litchfield, MN. With an entrepreneurial spirit and indomitable fortitude, she built a family, a home and a life of service to her community. With elegance, humility, gratitude and an uncompromising strength, she nurtured a life of love so deeply rooted in family that she carried it to the next generation and then the next, leaving behind a legacy of 8 children, 19 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren (with the 30th on the way.) She was born on Nov. 23, 1919, above the Manannah Store and grew up on the family farm. She emerged from farm life during the Great Depression with a desire to be a businesswoman. After graduating from Litchfield High School in 1937, she went to Minneapolis Business College. She graduated in 1939 and worked at the Litchfield Produce Co., which at one time was one of the largest buyers and processors of turkeys in central Minnesota. There, she met Robert J. Peifer Sr., whom she married on July 22, 1941. She was an impeccable hostess, opening her home for dinners and parties and a host of social events to a litany of priests, community members, a never-ending circle of her many children's friends, and future friends – including two AFS students Suzanne Duquesne from France in 1962-1963 and Ryan Dimayuga from the Philippines in 1976. She took hosting parties so seriously that, at age 80, she wrote a cookbook called, ""Grandma's Way,"" so she could share her recipes. She was an active member of the Church of St. Philip, where she helped fund the restoration of the church bell. She also was active in the Girl Scouts, Litchfield Women's Club, Golf Club and bridge clubs. She exuded a Hollywood glamour: fur coats, and jewelry and lipstick before breakfast. And there was nothing that she wouldn't do to give her children all the experiences that life had to offer. That meant making stops at night in late summer to collect salamanders to bring them back in tubs for her children. It meant a house full of pets – rabbits, chicks at Easter, ducks, other birds, cats, dogs and horses. And not just ordinary horse stories, although there were some of those too. How many other people can say their mom would load the Welsh pony into the back of her car so she could drive it into town for her kids to ride? She created deep memories – full of May Day baskets and elaborate costumes – to provide an idyllic slice of Americana. Upon the death of her husband in 1979, Elaine – by then in her 60s – resumed her business career by forming a business partnership with Ethel Mae Bates to continue the operation of N.P. Transportation Co., which was started in the 1950s. One of her legacies is the reclamation and renewal of Quo Vadis on Lake Koronis. With vision and intensive work (and some would say, masterful delegation), she breathed new life into the family lake home to create a refuge where generation after generation gathered and created memories and relationships they would carry with them for a lifetime. Despite relocating to memory care center in May, Elaine's adventures continued. There was that ride in the convertible: Elaine, in her neck brace, out for a summer drive, wishing she could be at the wheel. There was a visit to the orchard, new friendships made, old friendship rediscovered, new drawings and cards and stories surrounding her from her family. In her later years, she became known for dazzling one-liners, offered with a quiet, straight delivery and a twinkle in her eye. After a fall in her final weeks, when she was found on her knees, the caregivers asked her what she was doing. She said, ""I'm saying my prayers, but I'm finished now so you can help me up."" Or the time she badly bruised her forehead, she said, ""Well, I fell on the concrete so as I was lying there all I could think of is the floor is cold so that's probably good for the lump on my head."" There were other unforgettable one-liners: ""Someone has to pray for all of you"" (about keeping up with her large family). ""I think it worked out pretty good"" (about her marriage). ""Good thing they were half blind"" (about being told that people had complimented her beautiful hair and flawless skin while in ICU at age 95). ""I'm no pantywaist"" (about preparing to be told bad news). ""I'm playing bingo now; I've hit a new low"" (after having played competitive bridge for more than 50 years). Elaine, who recently resided at Emmaus Place in Litchfield, is survived by her children Suzanne Konietzko, Patricia (Harry) Pearson, Arthur (Daralyn) Peifer, Richard (Lisa) Peifer, John Peifer, Mark (Kelli) Peifer and Debra (Alan) Judd; grandchildren; great-grandchildren, extended family and the friends she made everywhere she went. Preceded in death by her mother and father, Ella and Walter Tintes; her husband, Robert J. Peifer Sr.; son Robert J. Peifer Jr. and his wife, Darlene (Oliver) Peifer; son-in-law Neil Konietzko; brothers George and Walter Tintes; sisters Lorraine Spengler and Rosemarie Betz, and great-granddaughter Alivia Judd. The family offers its deepest appreciation for Elaine's caregivers – Colleen, Nikki and Margo with Halo Private Nursing & Hospice Care, and Deanna, Nicole, Alicia and April at Coventry – who offered her deeply compassionate and committed care in her final days.Previous Events Visitation Friday, October 23, 2015 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Saturday, October 24, 2015 10:30 AM St. Philip's Catholic Church 821 east 5th street Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Saturday, October 24, 2015 11:30 AM Calvary Cemetery East 5th Street Litchfield, MN 55355