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Aug. 25, 1931-Sept. 18, 2026
Minot and Upham
Alice Pfau, 95, Minot, formerly of Upham, died Friday, September 18, 2026, in a Minot care facility.
"Josie" – Alice Josephine Pfau was born on August 25, 1931, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Rugby, ND to Johannes and Alice (Friet) Hannesson. She grew up on two farms in the Bantry area. She attended a rural school, Bantry Public, and graduated from Upham High School in 1949.
In 1950, she married Leslie Dean Pfau in Olympia, WA while he was in the Army stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. When he was discharged, they returned to ND where she attended MSU and obtained a teaching degree. She taught in several rural schools, later substituting in Upham and Kramer at times.
She and Leslie rented a farm for a few years and then purchased one in Little Deep Township. There they raised their four children who helped with farming and cattle. They retired in 1993. Leslie died in 2012. Josie purchased a home in Minot in 2012 and lived there in the winter months. In the summers, she still resided on the farm until the last few years.
Josie loved all her family and always tried to keep in touch.
She enjoyed gardening, animals, music and baking - she made countless loaves of bread and very seldom had an empty cookie jar.
Josie had a strong Christian faith and tried to live by 1 Thessalonian 5: 6-18 "Always be cheerful, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances."
Josie is survived by her four children: Loren (Annette) Pfau of Evergreen, CO; Melanie Stillwell of Williston; Michelle (Stuart) Dolan of Ray; Renae (Bret) Linstrom of Towner; six grandchildren: Kelsey and Lukkas Pfau; Ryland Stillwell; Paige (Joseph) Doegen; Maari Dolan; and Andy (Kaitlyn) Linstrom; one great grandchild: Bennett Doegen; sister: Florence Herslip of Minot; her kitties Tipper and Precious; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Josie is preceded in death by her husband: Leslie; parents; son-in-law: Bill Stillwell; grandson: William Stillwell; brothers: Marino Hannesson; Victor Hannesson; sisters: Vilborg Bond; Snjolaug Torr; Helga Black; Christine Schmitz; Ann Hartell; Mary Anderson; Jan Higgins and Nita Mobley.
Celebration of Josie's life will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at New Hope Lutheran Church in Upham.
A visitation will be held at Thomas Family Funeral Home in Minot on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an organization of choice. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfamily funeralhome.com.
Published by The Minot Daily News, September 22, 2026.