Douglas R. Pfister

Douglas Richard Pfister, born October 4th, 1937 in Milwaukee WI, joined his heavenly family at the age of 85. He attended school at St. Hubert as a child, then Hartford High School where he met Janet Wagner. The high school sweethearts met during lunch one day during dance time. Janet caught Doug’s eye and the rest was history. They were married August 3rd, 1957. Doug and Janet started their family and raised their 5 children on Bark Lake. Being on a lake was in Doug’s blood and he loved teaching his kids how to swim; they used to marvel at how he could just float in the water with his feet up. For over 40 years, Doug worked hard in the sheet metal industry. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and took yearly trips up north to Two Sisters Lake. Years later, while fishing on Two Sisters Lake, he and Janet noticed a for sale sign and acted quickly, realizing it was their shared dream to retire there. Once Doug retired, he and Janet made Two Sisters their home. Doug said that the scariest thing he'd ever done was moving from his beloved home to--the familiar, yet new--Northwoods, but his many decades there were deeply happy. Doug loved to be out on the lake fishing, taking long walks in the woods, and spending time listening to his music (usually on the highest volume). Doug and Janet spent many evenings fishing and enjoying the peace of being up north--and were always up for a game of Scrabble. His faith and curiosity guided his life, and he loved to sit around the dinner (or breakfast, or lunch) table and share a long talk. In cooler months, he enjoyed going deer hunting and being out in the woods. Family often came up to visit, and he loved swimming with the kids on hot days and taking them out to his best fishing spots. Doug was a genuine and generous spirit, whose spark was evident in every grin and perfectly timed joke he shared. His fundamental sweetness as a man was reflected in his genuine love for a good dessert! He was always looking for an opportunity to snitch a little extra, and often his kids and grandkids would help him succeed. More than anything, he loved just to be around his family, and especially enjoyed all the new babies over the years. Doug was always the first to hold a baby on his lap and make them laugh. Every grandchild and great-grandchild in the family has likely been told a fond memory of the first time Grandpa Doug held them.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Malvina Pfister and his brother Thomas Pfister and great grandson Ezra Khemmani.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Pfister; children, Joy (Jose) Marquez, Paul (Julie)Pfister, Jill (Ken) Bartol, Jayne (Ron) Doak and Lisa (Phil) Schmitt; and other extended relatives.

Doug’s legacy lives on through his 17 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. Joy and Jose Marquez: Nikki (Mark) Khemmani, Eva; Tony Marquez, Lily, Bradyn, Bella, and Max; Sara (Ben) Marquez, Amanda Marquez; Jordan Marquez. Paul and Julie Pfister: Thomas (Katy) Pfister, Ella and Landon; David (Elisabeth)Pfister, William, Jakob; Kelly (Mark) Barbian, Lucas and Logan; Jill and Ken Bartol: Jenny (Ryan) Schultz, Mason, Vincent, Samantha; Jason (Sarah) Bartol, Olivia and Ben; Jayne and Ron Doak: Brian (Susan) Doak, Nova and Junia; Jeff Doak; Kim (Scott) Konrath, Hope, Charlie, Anderson; Micah Doak; Marcus (Sara) Doak, Henry, Delaney, Abigail. Lisa and Phil Schmitt: Adam (Ashley) Schmitt, McKenzie, Carson, Porter; Melissa (Ryan) Iserloth, Grace, Noah, Paisley.

A service will be held on March 14th, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff, WI. Visitation will be held from 11a-12pm, with Mass beginning at noon.