Betty Jo Pifer, 89, was born September 20, 1934, in the heart of the Great Depression in Hutchinson, to Claude Waldo and Edna Kathryn (Deidrich) Benbrook. The economic hardships and harsh realities of this time period fostered within Betty the lifelong characteristics of frugality, strong work ethic, and self-sacrifice. Betty instilled these virtues in her seven children in their childhood. She encouraged them to never go in debt and to save all the money they could, because you never knew when a rainy day might come. Betty led by example. She sacrificed to provide the necessary things for her family, but she did not give time or money to the frivolous things of life. Betty co-founded Pifer’s Auto Salvage alongside her husband and sons in 1976. She remained a dedicated businesswoman by keeping books for the business for nearly five decades.
It’s only fitting that Betty’s days on earth would both begin and end in autumn. Betty died November 20, 2023 at her residence in Hutchinson. Fall was her favorite season. She dressed in the colors of the falling leaves because those were her favorite colors– orange, brown, and green. Thanksgiving was a highlight of the fall season for Betty, when Betty would host her seven children and their families for what could only be described as a feast. The house was always bustling with life, and Betty was at the heart of the home making delicious recipes that her family loved. Thanksgiving will forever be a special time for those who loved Betty, because they have those warm memories of her love and hospitality.
Betty loved her family fiercely. She loved deeply and was loyal to the very end. Her love wasn’t passive. Betty demonstrated her love in many ways, but acts of service was quite certainly one of the ways she expressed her love. She never hesitated to do what was in her power to take a load off the shoulders of those she loved. If you had the privilege of being loved by her, you know she passionately believed you and would defend you no matter what. You know the look in her eyes and the way she shook her finger when she talked about any injustice. Although her life wasn’t easy, she fought to make the lives of those around her better. Of all the accomplishments in Betty’s life, her children and grandchildren were no doubt her proudest achievements.
On April 3, 1951 she married Frank Lee Pifer, in Hutchinson. They shared 57 years of marriage, prior to his death on August 13, 2008.
Betty is survived by: sister, Marita Rose Pike of Lakewood, CO; sons, Danny (Debbie) Pifer, Bobby Pifer, Jerry Pifer, Terry Pifer, Kenny Pifer all of Hutchinson, KS; daughter, Sherry (Dawayne) Storm of Lee's Summit, MO; daughter-in-law, Kelli Pifer of Hutchinson, KS; grandchildren, Jason Pifer, Heather Johnson, Jaron Pifer all of Hutchinson, KS, Amy Brawner of South Hutchinson, KS, Melissa Bauerle of Hesston, KS, Jenia VanHorn of Shawnee, KS, Julie Tan of Overland Park, KS, Matthew Storm of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Kathryn Hartzler of Harrisonville, MO, as well as 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: son, Larry Pifer; husband, Frank Pifer; brothers, Bobby Benbrook, Richard Benbrook; parents, Claude and Edna Benbrook.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2023 at Bethany Church of the Nazarene, 408 N Kent Rd, Hutchinson, KS. Burial will follow in Memorial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may sign her book 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with family present to receive friends 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.