Fred Pfingsten

Mr. Pfingsten passed away Saturday, March 17, at his home along side the Rio Bonito surronded by loved ones. He was born August 5, 1913 at Angus to Maggie and Fred Pfingsten. He spent his young life along the Rio Bonito in Hondo working in the family apple orchards and getting his first cow at age nine and first horse at ten. He was tudying animal husbandry and horticulture at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces when he met Leota Bradford, an Otero County native. They were married July 16, 1940 in Roswell during the State Centennial celebration. Over the years, friends and family have helped celebrate their 50th and 65th anniversaries. Fred spent the first 30 years of his life five miles down from the town of Lincoln. He worked 10 years for the U.S. Forest Service at a logging camp before attending NMSU. He ranched 22 years on the Mesa Ranch near Nogal and worked as manager of the G Bar F Ranch for 14 years. Fred has been on the Upper Hondo Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors for 20 plus years and has continued to be a valuable resource for state and local ranchers. In 1979, he built a ranch syle home on the Rio Bonito and he and Leota have enjoyed the view of the river valley. fred has been nonored by his peers for his service to agriculture at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces. On July 4, 2006, Fred was honored when the Lincoln County Fair Board dedicated the 51st Smokey Bear Stampede to him and presented him with a commemorative belt buckle before the rodeo. He is survived by his wife, Leota Pfingsten of Lincoln; cousins, Nell Eddington of Las Cruces, Margaret and Hal Taylor of Grand Junction, Colorado, Harry Pfningsten and his wife Marsha of Chicago, Illinois, Joe Pfingsten and his wife Darla of Albuquerque, Pete Pfingsten and his wife Janet of Columbus, Missouri, numerous cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews. Nieces and nehews of Leota have benefited from Uncle Pino's support and love over these many years. Preceding him in death are his parents; brother, Bert; sisters, Edna and Helen. The family would like to express their appreciation to Sara Gutierrez Wally for her many years of devotion as a companion, ranch hand, and caregiver. Our lives have been enriched by her loving example.

Service

Funeral service

Church of the NazareneH
Highway 37 & 48
Angus, NM  88316
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
10:430 AM

Cemetery

Capitan Cemetery
Long Road & Last Road
Capitan, NM  88316

Memorial Contributions

Capitan FFA
Todd Proctor
Capitan, NM  88316

Range Conservation Foundation
PO Box 1595
Carson City, NM  89702

N.M. Farm and Ranch Heritage Foundaton
Fred Pfingsten Educational Fund
Las Cruces, NM  88011