DeWayne Richard Pfau, 78 of Cottonwood, AZ passed away Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, at Montecito Care Center in Mesa AZ.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 6:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake ND with burial in St. Boniface Cemetery, Esmond ND.
DeWayne Richard, son of Mike and Mary (Bachmeier) Pfau, was born on Jan. 26, 1945, on a farm near Esmond, ND. He grew up along side his 14 siblings. DeWayne graduated from Esmond High School in 1963. He served in the Armed Forces as a Marine. In 1966, he was deployed during the Vietnam War serving as an aircraft electrician. After his honorable discharge from the military, DeWayne attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks ND and achieved a degree in Mathematics. He then moved to Colorado and worked as a Master Welder in Denver. His work brought him to Wheatland, WY, for several years. He eventually retired and moved to Ukiah, CA, caring for his sister’s home and then Cottonwood, AZ, until his passing.
DeWayne was a man of strong faith which was truly evident throughout his life. He had a great appreciation for family and a very generous heart. His hobbies included repairing electrical appliances, gardening, and prospecting. He played many recreational sports in his youth. DeWayne enjoyed watching war movies and listening to Neil Diamond records.
DeWayne is now in the presence of God and forever in the hearts of all who loved him.
He is survived by his siblings: Benno Pfau of Minot, ND, Fr. Bernard Pfau of Devils Lake, Sr. Marita Pfau of Mitchell, SD, Reuben Pfau of Bismarck, ND, Rose Jacobson of Tucson, AZ, Diana Pfau of Devils Lake, Phyllis (Don) Lehnen of Douglas, WY, Donald (Julie) Pfau of Fargo, ND, James Pfau of Horace, ND, MaryAnn (Rod) Hoffmeyer of Devils Lake and Kathy (Mike) Teska of Arvada, CO; brother-in-law Stan Peterson of Castle Rock, CO; sister-in-law Jean Pfau of Fargo; dear friend Lynn Nottestad of Arizona and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents Mike and Mary, brothers Edwin Pfau and Dennis Pfau, sister Janice Peterson, sisters-in-law LaVerne Pfau and Dale Pfau, brothers-in-law Jerry Jacobson and Gary Klee, nieces Jennifer Tillard and Lileigh Lehnen and nephew Brian Jacobson.
