Rupert Harvey Pfuhl, 80, of Sparta passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at his home after a long and courageous battle with bone cancer.
He was born May 31, 1936, to Harvey Elmer and Lillian Viola Annie (Drake) Pfuhl on the family farm in Spring Valley, near Norwalk. Rupert was baptized on September 27, 1936, at the Historic Salem E.U.B. Church near Norwalk. He was confirmed March 21, 1948, also at the Salem Church. He attended school in Spring Valley until fourth grade, when the family moved to Norwalk, where he attended Norwalk Elementary School and was a 1955 graduate of Norwalk High School.
Rupert learned a strong work ethic from his parents and was a true family man. During his younger years, Rupert would help all of his siblings on their farms. In early 1953, he met the love of his life, Marlene Joy Cox, at the roller skating rink in Ontario. They were united in marriage on June 1, 1957, at Community Baptist Church in Ontario.
In 1955, he started working at Thurow Motors Sales and Service in Wilton, where he remained until 1962. He then went to work for the Norwalk-Ontario School District, where he was the transportation supervisor and drove bus from 1962–1973. Rupert and Marlene owned and operated their own business for 35 years; Pfuhl’s Garage was their life’s work. They were proud to develop friendships and business relationships that would last their entire lifetime.
Rupert’s passion for snowmobiles and snowmobiling started in 1967, when he owned the first snowmobile in Norwalk. That passion earned him many trips for being a top sales person with Scorpion Snowmobiles; some of the destinations were Spain, Africa, California and Florida.
He had a true love and respect for the outdoors and was an avid deer hunter and hadn’t missed an opening day of rifle season since the age of 12. When Kathie married a farmer, Rupert was delighted to once again have a farm to go to, where he hunted for 39 years. Rupert and his son Kurt spent 32 years hunting out West together; his two youngest grandsons, Elliott and Isaac, joined them for the last nine years, and many memories were made.
In 1971, the family started camping and spent many weekends during the summer at various campgrounds around the country. As the kids got older, motorcycles entered the Pfuhl family, and Rupert and Marlene enjoyed riding their cycles and later their Gold Wing Trike, which was Rupert’s pride and joy. While living in Norwalk, Rupert was active with the Norwalk Lions Club and was a trustee and member of the Norwalk Methodist Church and Wanderers’ Rest Cemetery.
More than anything, Rupert loved his family. He embraced his role as a grandfather and his role as great-grandfather to his precious great-granddaughter. Rupert cherished his time with his wife, children and grandchildren; he was there to love and support them in all of their endeavors. In 1999, he “semi-retired,” and he and Marlene moved to their rural Sparta home, where they have loved and enjoyed their life together.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Marlene; his children, Kathie (Dave) Sullivan of Sparta and Kurt (Meg) Pfuhl of West Salem; his grandchildren, Brian John (Kathy Kettle) Sullivan, Corey David (Karla) Sullivan, Elliott Rupert Pfuhl, Isaac Alan Pfuhl and Arianna Marlene Pfuhl; a great-granddaughter, Kinley Marie Sullivan; a brother-in-law, Dean (Karen) Short; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jean (John) Doll and Carlene (Duane) Wallace; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his Grandma Mary Drake, who lived with them; his parents, Harvey and Lillian Pfuhl; his father- and mother-in-law, Carl and Marguerite Cox; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Erwin Vieth, Virginia and Edwin Hubbard, Elmyra Short, and an infant sister; a nephew, Dennis Hubbard; and a niece, Janice Schleusener.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 3–7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, at the Norwalk Community Center. A celebration of Rupert’s life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the historic Salem United Methodist Church near Norwalk. Pastor Fran Hewuse and Pastor Bob Streeter will officiate. A private family burial will be held at Wanderers’ Rest Cemetery at a later date. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, Rupert requested memorials be given to Wanderers’ Rest Cemetery or Salem United Methodist Church.
The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Norwalk is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.