Phyllis Marie Pfeiff Rawles

Phyllis Marie Pfeiff Rawles, 97, passed away on September 8, 2026, the day before her 98th birthday. Phyllis lived a full and vibrant life. She was born on September 9, 1928, to Alfred and Halla Norton on the family homestead twenty-one miles north of Olney Springs. Phyllis attended Grandview School through the eighth grade and often reminisced about riding her horse to school each day. She took great pride in her dryland upbringing and spoke fondly of those early years throughout her life.

On November 11, 1948, Phyllis married Robert L. Pfeiff. The couple shared 43 years of marriage until Bob’s passing in 1991. Together they raised four children: James, Linda (Steinbeck), Jean (Rein Dawson), and Robert Jr., of whom they were deeply proud. Shortly after Linda’s birth, the family moved to Winigan, Missouri, where they farmed for ten years. During that time, they helped establish Calvary Baptist Church, a congregation that James’s family continues to attend today. In 1961, Bob and Phyllis returned to Colorado.

Never one to let the grass grow under her feet; Phyllis remained active while raising her family. She worked at Heckert’s Market in 1961, then as a cook at the Roundhouse Café until it closed. She later cooked at Lee’s Café for many years until it, too, closed. In 1969 she began candling eggs at Clevenger’s Egg Hatchery, then worked as a butcher at Fowler Creamery (Jensen’s Blue-Ribbon Processing) before moving on to Jack’s Market. She concluded her working years as a cook at Fowler Manor Assisted Living, a role she especially enjoyed because it allowed her to prepare meals for friends. Phyllis retired at the age of 75. Following her retirement, she married James Rawles, who passed away in 1999.

Phyllis delighted in cooking, baking, sewing, riding her bicycle, walking to the bridge, and spending time with her grandchildren. Outgoing, lighthearted, and social by nature, she never wanted to miss an opportunity to be with others and share a laugh. She was known for her delicious home cooking and especially for the wonderful pies she lovingly baked and shared with family and friends.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Halla Norton; her siblings, Joe (LaGurna) Norton, Mary Katherine (Cecil) Armstrong, Jack Norton, Jake (Sheila) Norton, and Jerry Norton; her mother- and father-in-law, Frank and Maude Pfeiff; her daughter-in-law, Kimberly Pfeiff; and her son-in-law, Ronnie Rein.

Phyllis is survived by her children: James (Esther) Pfeiff, Linda (Russell) Steinbeck, Jean (Paul) Dawson, and Robert Pfeiff Jr.; her grandchildren: Jaci Pfeiff (Ed McConnel), Rusty Pfeiff, Matthew (Jennifer) Pfeiff, Stacy Steinbeck-Erickson (Tommy Erickson) , Jennifer Steinbeck (Thomas Buckingham), Ronda Rein (Michael Hirakata), Kimberly Rein (John Blasi), Randy (Tracy) Pfeiff, Halla (Jeremy) Ramsey, Bobby Pfeiff (Trevor Sullivan), and McKaea (Nick) Dimpfel; her great-grandchildren: Robert Pfeiff, Rebecca (Stettsun) Watson, Shaelea Pruett, Ryanna (Ashton) Cash, Blake Pfeiff, Addison Pfeiff, Kasen Pfeiff, Jordyn Walsworth, Sydni Walsworth, Rudy Dimpfel, and Sterling Dimpfel; and her great-great-grandchildren: Wrenley Cash, Mavery Cash, and Dahlilla Watson; her sister: Ferrell Edens and sister-in-laws, Karen Norton, Freda Spurlock, and Joyce Pfeiff as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Faith Baptist Church on Friday, September 18th, at 2:00 p.m. Address: 212 2nd Street, Fowler, CO 81039.

Donations can be made to Friends of the Fowler Cemetery, 114 N Main St, Fowler, CO 81039 – put in memo: “for flags to be placed at the cemetery” or the Crowley County Heritage Center, PO Box 24, Crowley, CO 81033.

Online condolences, www.MontgomerySteward.com