Patricia C. Pfeiffer

Patricia “Pat” Carol (Helms) Pfeiffer beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and nana passed away peacefully March 4th, 2026.

Pat was born on February 3,1945 with a birthday she was always happy to share and people could easily remember 2/3/45. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Joseph Donald “Don” Helms and Julia Florence (LeCluyse) Helms. Pat spent her early years in Kansas City, Missouri being cared for by her maternal grandparents (Charles and Cora LeCluyse) after a sudden loss of her mother as an infant.

Once her father remarried, Betty Deloris (Austin) Helms, she rejoined the family. A loving family with which she had very many special childhood memories of riding horses, the cabin at Lake of the Ozarks, and playing billiards. The family spent time in Warrensburg Missouri before moving to Knob Noster Missouri where her grandfather was a mailman. There are fun stories of her and her brother Joe riding along delivering the mail.

Pat moved to Sedalia for her senior year and graduated from Smith Cotton HS where she excelled as a student with a love for learning. She had fond memories of riding the train into Kansas City to be picked up by her grandparents at Union Station.

After graduating from high school, she attended Central Missouri State University where she worked for the radio station, was able to attend The World Fair in New York City and became a regional billiards champion. Pat graduated from CMSU with a teaching degree in just three years and it was there that she met her husband of 58 years, Robert “Bob” E. Pfeiffer while playing cards with friends. They married on April Fool’s day 1967. Which has always humored the family. Pat worked as a high school English teacher in Freeman Missouri before they moved to Kansas City and began their family.

She balanced raising four children while working part-time telemarketing and at The Sun Newspaper. Pat helped establish a vacation bible school program at Cure’ of Ars which her children enjoyed being involved with every summer. Later in life she went back to teaching and worked for several years at Ozanam Home for Boys where she was named basketball coach of the year.

Pat ended her career as a middle school teacher in the Grandview school district where she enjoyed teaching keyboarding.

Upon retiring, she and Bob enjoyed traveling and being snowbirds that spent many months each year at their condo in Corpus Christi. A huge loyal fan of the Royals and the Chiefs. She loved celebrating all the holidays with festive sweater vests and socks. Pat taught numerous people how to play mahjong, including all the retired teachers, which she preferred to bunko. She was a lover of games and crossword puzzles. She made friends everywhere she went and maintained lifelong friendships. Her family was always the center of her life with lots of pool and lake time with her grandchildren.

Pat is survived by her husband, Robert E. Pfeiffer of Prairie Village, Kansas, a brother, Joseph Donald Helms Jr. of Lee’s Summit Missouri, four children Staci McKenna and husband, Mike, of Leawood, Kansas, Julie Elliott and husband, David, of Overland Park, Kansas, Michael Pfeiffer and wife, Puhn, of Siem Reap, Cambodia, and Tammy Medlock of Adrian, Missouri. She leaves behind five grandchildren, Steven Minor (Sara), Josie Stern (Jackson), Garin McKenna (Caitlyn), Ryan Medlock, Brennan McKenna, eight great grandchildren, along with a host of nieces and nephews.

She always said there is nothing more important than being nice. A sentiment that she exemplified. She will be remembered for her kindness and a life devoted to learning and teaching. Every time we see a full moon, we will be thinking of Nana.

Cremation is planned.  Her funeral will be held at Cure’ of Ars sometime this summer. (Check back here for updates)

Mass Intentions and prayers are requested by the family.

Memorials can be made to:

Ozanam school: A nonprofit dedicated to partnering with children and families to build safe and healthy communities. https://www.cornerstonesofcare.org/donate

Lead to Read KC: www.leadtoreadkc.org