Pfeifle, Kermit Frederick

Memorial services for Kermit Frederick Pfeifle, 92, of Tipton, who died March 7, 2011, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at First United Church of Christ, Tipton. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Burial will take place in Tipton Masonic Cemetery. Pastor David Lorenzen will officiate.

Dr. Pfeifle was born in Anamoose, N.D., on Jan. 31, 1919, to Emil and Merle (Elder) Pfeifle. He graduated from Glasgow Public High School, Glasgow, Mont., in 1938. In 1940, he moved to Tipton to attend Tipton Junior College, residing with his aunt, Anna Kadel. During World War II he served as an Army medic at Camp Grant, Ill., and received training at the University of Illinois and the University of West Virginia.

On Jan. 4, 1944, he married Ruth Anne Casterline at her home in Tipton. After leaving military service he attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating from the School of Dentistry. In 1948, he opened a dental practice in Olin, Iowa and the following year established a practice in Tipton.

From 1951 to 1953, he served at the U.S. Army Dental Clinic in Würzburg, Germany, then returned to Tipton to resume private practice. Dr. Pfeifle served on the board of directors of the University Dental Society, becoming president in 1969. He was a member of the Cedar Rapids Dental Society and was honored as a life member of the American Dental Association in 1985.

Dr. Pfeifle served on the Tipton Public Library board and the Tipton school board. He was director of Tipton Company, Inc. (a bank holding company), co-chairman of the building committee for the United Church of Christ, and belonged to several other professional and social organizations, including the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In 1968, he and his wife and daughter served as volunteers at the Navajo Indian Mission Hospital in Monument Valley, Utah, through the sponsorship of Loma Linda University and The Seventh Day Adventist Church. In 1970, they volunteered at a church mission hospital in Honduras, sponsored by the United Church of Christ World Ministries.

After retiring from his dental practice in 1985, Kermit and Ruth spent many winters in Fort Myers Beach, Fla.

Together they enjoyed golf, gardening and serving the Tipton community. Walking home for lunch or to the post office, Doc always gave a welcome smile, friendly nod of the head and warm conversation to everyone he met.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years; his daughter, Jill Sauser and son-in-law Marty of Atlanta, Ga.; two grandchildren, Jeff (Atlanta) and Heidi Sauser (New York City); a sister, Phylo Drawz, Minot, N.D.; and several nieces and nephews. In 1972, the Pfeifles' hosted an AFS student, Diditte Hund, currently of Strasbourg, France.

Dr. Pfeifle was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Don and Wayne.

Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, Cedar Manor or a charity of choice in memory of Kermit.

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