Frank Louis Pfel

Celebrating Life

On the evening of November 1, 2023, held in the loving arms of family, Frank Pfel passed away in Baker City, Oregon.

Frank Louis Pfel, known affectionately as “Booga” (given to him by his first grandchild and a testament to his great sense of humor) was born on December 2, 1940 to Louis and Lulamae Pfel.  He was the oldest and the only boy of four children.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents Louise and Lulamae, and his sister Louise Sticka.

Frank is survived by his wife Margaret “Margie” Pfel, his sisters Linda Hall of Hermiston and Louis Rorden of Union, his four children Deana Bishop of Salem, Todd (Diane) Pfel of LaGrande, Trish (Greg) Brinton of Baker City, and Daniel (Karen) Pfel of Queens Creek, Arizona, 22 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

Frank graduated from North Powder High school in 1959.  He held many jobs during his lifetime, including working as a supervisor at Lamb Weston, and doing general maintenance and custodial work.  Frank and Margie were married July 12, 1975 in Hermiston, Oregon. 

Those who knew Frank knew that he loved spending his time hunting, fishing, and camping.  Many summers were spent up Catherine Creek with his family, whether it was his mother and father, or any combination of his many children and grandchildren.  In his later years, he enjoyed going to the mountains to hunt for morels and huckleberries.  One of his greatest joys was baking apple and zucchini bread and making strawberry freezer jam for his family.  He often had treats ready to go for anyone who came by and needed a restock.  He especially loved sharing the secrets of his recipes.  One of his most proud tips was putting warm water in pancake mix to make them “extra” fluffy.  Most recently he loved taking Margie on drives up Burn River Canyon to watch the big horn sheep.

Booga will be greatly missed by his loved ones.  He had a smile and a sharp sense of humor that could fill a room and drew many too him.  He was quick with a handshake and a “how you doing” to all he was familiar with.  To his family and everyone who knew him, Booga will always be remembered as “a hell of a good guy.”

Memorial contributions in Frank’s honor may be made to Best Friends of Baker City in care of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Oregon 97814. Obituary courtesy of Grays West & Co. 

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