Elisabeth (Deibert) Pfeffel

Elisabeth was born in the wine country of Germany. At age fourteen she worked in a hotel in Frankfurt. At age eighteen she saw the start of the second world war and witnessed its atrocities.

After the war she met Hans, who had been a prisoner of war in Lethbridge, Alberta. They were married and had their first child, Gisela.. Hans luckily found, in Elisabeth, a partner that was willing to start a new life in a country Hans had come to admire.

In ten years they were established in a drycleaning, tailoring, clothing business in Magrath, Alberta. They owned an older home that cost $600 at the time. They were also parents to two more children, Irene and Hans. While being a great mother to her three children, maintaining a household and planting and harvesting a huge garden,  Elisabeth also worked alongside her husband in the dry cleaning business.

In 1967 Hans and Elisabeth moved their business to Coaldale, Alberta. Here they took a risk with women’s clothing. Elisabeth’s taste in clothing and her outgoing personality made her a perfect fit as the owner of a women’s clothing store.

Elisabeth and Hans retired at age 60. Elisabeth began volunteering at a care facility in Coaldale, assisting at meal time with dementia residents.  At age 82 she lost her beloved Hans. At age 95 Elisabeth was still gardening and driving.

With the opening of the new Pioneer Lodge, Elisabeth became a resident of Fort Macleod.  Elisabeth with her outgoing, fun loving personality became a well loved personality at the lodge and around town.  In June of 2025 she became a resident at Extendicare and at 103 continued to bring love and laughter to the facility.

Elisabeth is survived by her children Gisela, Irene, Hans and adopted daughter, Lorna. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Alisa, Jana,  Katrina,  Jonathan, Rosanne and Doran, as well as eight great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held in March, 2026

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