Steven "Steve" C. Pfau, 73, of Rhame, ND, passed away on March 14, 2025 at the Southwest Healthcare Hospital in Bowman.  Memorial Services for Steve will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Rhame American Legion.

Services will be livestreamed here:

https://www.facebook.com/trevor.kulseth

Steven Craig Pfau was born on November 16, 1951 to Edward and Viola ("Ole") Pfau as the

youngest of their six sons and daughters. He was raised on the family farm located at

Upham N.D. (about 50 miles by road northeast of Minot). As a true blue (make that Dodger

Blue!) fan of the L.A. Dodgers, Steve was in a constant friendly feud with his mother, a

devout Yankees fan. Steve was more than a fan; he was always active in numerous sports

himself.

After graduating from high school in 1969 Steve attended UND in Grand Forks before

transferring to Minot State to pursue a degree in psychology. This pursuit was

interrupted for a short time by attendance at the Marine Corps Officer Training Camp,

Quantico Base, Virginia. Upon returning to Minot to finish college Steve met and

married Ginny Klabunde. In 1972 they celebrated the birth of their son Patrick. The

couple made their home in Stanley, N.D. – 50 miles west of Minot -- where Steve

worked as a Mental Health Counselor. Allthough this marriage ended in divorce, Ginny

and Steve remained friends to this day. Ginny married Dave Hynek and he became

Pat's dad too — old dad and new dad formed a great team.

Meanwhile, Steve met Carolynne Jones. They wed on October 15,1982 in Regina,

Saskatchewan, in a ceremony performed by a Canadian Mounty. Carolynne's folks,

Lyle ("Buster") and Alma Jones, stood up for them during the wedding. (That night, their

new and disgruntled brother-in-law debated whether he should stand up to them, by

calling the front desk at the motel at which they were all staying, to complain about the

newly-weds and the Joneses carousing loudly all night long in an adjoining room.)

Buster -- having owned Buster's Bar in Williston for over 40 years – was able to expertly

instruct Steve in the business. Ultimately this resulted in Steve's 1983 purchase of The

Waterhole Bar in Rhame, an enterprise which led to lifelong friendships with patrons,

visitors, employees, suppliers, and fellow Rhame townspeople. Steve had great

employees who were so very loyal to him. He started the annual Chili Cook-off in 1983

and turned it over to the Community Club in 2022. He was a volunteer fireman for 40

years with a wonderful group of people, and the coach of the Special Olympics

basketball team.

And yet his community support and civic-mindfulness extended beyond his contribution

of volunteer labor, as Steve willingly dipped into his pocketbook, as well. He channeled

the proceeds of the Chili Cook-off to the American Legion youth baseball program. It

also received the net profit attributable to a particular component of Rhame's Gala

Days, in which wagers were laid upon the future behavior of a guest chicken. (The

betting related to a particular non-egglaying body function of the bird, certain to occur,

but uncertain as to exactly where proof of the occurrence would be deposited.) Steve

supported so many organizations and friends.

What a great guy!When Patrick and Andrea married in 2001 it was a happy day indeed. Even happier to

have granddaughters Hannah and Claire join the family. Such a proud grandpa who

loved being at their soccer and ice skating events in Grand Forks.

Steve and Carolynne loved to travel. They enjoyed many Arizona winters as well as

travel from coast to coast and in Europe. Steve and Buster went to Singapore in 1988

to see Carolynne's brother Lyle. Of course, Dodger spring training was a must on his

travel schedule.

Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Carolynne, son Patrick and daughter-in-law

Andrea, and granddaughters Hannah and Claire. Other survivors include his sister Betty

and her sons Tim, Mark, and Jonathan; brother Don and wife Ruby and daughter Cheryl;

brother Rob and wife Vicki; sister-in-law Lorna and husband Nevin Van de Streek (the

disgruntled brother-in-law), and their children Tristan and Hilary; brother-in-law Lyle and

wife Noi Jones, as well as many cherished cousins and a host of good friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ed, sister Mary, in-laws Buster and

Alma, nephew Van Jones, as well as a number of aunts and uncles.

Steve was diagnosed in April of 2020 with Myleofibrosis, a rare terminal blood

cancer. Thereafter he had several good years, but the cancer took its toll in the last

year of his life. He was fortunate to have great health care at Mayo, Bismarck, West

River Services and Southwest Healthcare Services. His family and friends supported

him throughout these challenging times. When he died in the early hours of March 14,

he told Carolynne that he loved her but was ready and wanted to die. He had fought

the battle long enough.

It is more than fitting that this brief telling of Steve's journey on this earth should end

with Carolynne's parting words:

It's hard to say goodbye to the love of my life but I know I will be with

him again.

I love you my Pfau-man, Carolynne