Lorretta Pfeffer

Lorretta Bessie (Priebe) Pfeffer, age 86, of Breckenridge, MN, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Visitation will be held at 4 p.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2025, with a prayer service beginning at 6 p.m., at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 19, 2025, with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church, Breckenridge. Pastor Ross Fritz will be officiating the services. Burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Breckenridge. The family kindly asks everyone to honor Lorretta at the services by wearing her signature color, pink. Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home.

Lorretta Priebe Pfeffer was born on February 4, 1939, in Russell, MN, alongside her twin sister, Lorraine. She graduated from Bertha-Hewitt High School in 1957 and met the love of her life, Allen Pfeffer at a high school football game. They married on August 2, 1958, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bertha. They built a life together on the Pfeffer family farm near Bertha, where they raised six cherished children.

Family was Lorretta’s greatest joy, and she treasured gatherings for birthdays and holidays, especially Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. She and Allen loved decorating for the season and even won a local Christmas house decorating contest. A skilled lefse maker, she delighted in eating them fresh off the grill with melting butter.

Her deep faith guided her life, and she was active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and participated in the ladies’ aid there. Later, she was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran LWML, Breckenridge and Wahpeton Senior Citizens, and made quilts for Lutheran World Relief. She enjoyed embroidery, crocheting, puzzles, writing memoirs, and playing pinochle with friends. Many fond memories are held at the Chahinkapa Zoo, Wahpeton, ND, where Lorretta loved visiting the otters and carousel with her family. Known fondly as the "pink lady" for her signature color, Lorretta's warmth and kindness will be deeply missed by her loving family.

Lorretta is survived by her son, Duane Pfeffer; son, Bruce Pfeffer, and his son, Damian; daughter, Diane Pfeffer; son, Larry Pfeffer; and daughter, Lori Marchand, and her children, Rachel, Joel, Luke, Micah (Kaitlyn), and Aaron (Madeleine); sister, LaNita Priebe; sister-in-law, Elaine Bening; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Allen Pfeffer; parents, Herman and Evelyn Priebe; daughter, Nancy; twin sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Wayne Westergren; brother, Merle Priebe; stepmother, Frieda Priebe; and son-in-law, John Marchand.