Harold Albert Pfann

Harold Albert Pfann died at the age of 99 on April 28 at the Weyrich Health Care Center in Westminster Village in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He was born Dec. 22, 1913, to Henry and Alvina (Dehnel) Pfannekuchen at their country home in Ritzville. He was baptized March 15, 1914, and confirmed his faith in affirmation of his baptism on July 13, 1927, at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville.

He went to a small country school and helped on the family farm. He attended Ritzville High School and graduated in 1931. He went to Washington State College (WSC), now WSU and in 1932 he took a postgraduate course and enrolled in the School of Pharmacy at WSC graduating with honors in 1936. He was a member of Rho Chi scholastic honorary Theta Chi fraternity.

He married Milda Rogel on Feb. 2, 1936. Together they had two sons, Harold Ross and John Peter, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Jeanne Marie.

In 1938, the couple purchased a drugstore in Waitsburg, Wash. They sold the store in 1943 and moved to Richland where he worked at Morgan Thrifty Drug. In 1948, they purchased Emerson Drug in Ritzville. In 1960, they built a new store across the street, which was acclaimed to be the most modern store of its kind in the state of Washington. They sold the store in 1965 and retired to Mesa, Ariz.

Singing was a big part of his life. He sang for several years at Emanuel Lutheran Church and also at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Mesa for 30 years, including the Leisure World 90 member mixed chorus and the Leisure World Barbership Quartet.

On Nov. 25, 1995, the couple sold their home in Leisure World and moved to Westminster Village. He and Milda were married for 62 years before her passing on Sept. 21, 1998.

A private burial is to be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be sent in his name to the Hospice organization or Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville.