Verlin F. Pfannenstiel

Verlin F. Pfannenstiel, age 84, of Munjor, peacefully passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Hays Medical Center, surrounded by his wife and children.

He was born August 21, 1941, in Hays, Kansas, to Edward and Oliva (Lang) Pfannenstiel. He married Elaine A. Zimmerman on October 21, 1961, in Schoenchen.

Verlin and Elaine faithfully supported each other, raised their five children, and built a legacy over 64 years of marriage. Verlin began working for Schwaller Lumber Company as a bookkeeper in 1962. He later took ownership of the company and renamed it Heartland Building Center. Through his business, Verlin served the communities of Hays, Russell, and Stockton for over 60 years.

Verlin’s service to the community included the USD #489 Board of Education, North Central Kansas Vocational Technical School, Hays Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Ellis County Coalition of Economic Development, Community Assistance Center, and FHSU Endowment Association.

He was honored to receive the FHSU Alumni Achievement Award and was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. Faith was an integral part of Verlin’s life. He founded and organized the Annual City-Wide Festival of Faith for 25 years and was instrumental in developing the new Hays location for Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas. He was a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Verlin is survived by his wife, Elaine; his children, Christi Lungren (Steve), Arkansas City; Cindy Pfannenstiel, Hays; Russ Pfannenstiel (Melissa), Hays; and Ryan Pfannenstiel (Argelia), Park City; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Darlene Dinges, Dalton, Ga.; Jeanette Tauscher (Charles), Shawnee; Juanita Stecklein (Alan), Hays; Judy Pfannenstiel, Overland Park; Mary Ann Pfannenstiel (Tim Miller), Leawood; and Joyce Allen (Gene), Atchinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Oliva Pfannenstiel; his son, Curt; his brother, Vernon; his infant sister, Mary; his brothers-in-law, Robert Dinges and Dave Waxse; and his sister-in-law, Anna Mae Pfannenstiel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026, Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Munjor, with Celebrant, Father Damian Richards. Burial will follow at Saint Francis of Assisi Cemetery. A Vigil Service and Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Friday, at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday and from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the FHSU Endowment Association and Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences and memories of Verlin may be shared at clineschapels@gmail.com or left in the guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com