Dora Colleen (Pfeiffer) James

Dora Colleen (Pfeiffer) James passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, joining Monte in heaven. She leaves behind family and friends who will miss her love, kindness, guidance, and wonderful conversations. She was born on July 24, 1938, to the late Edwin and Nina (Brewer) Pfeiffer and was the youngest of five children. She attended grade school in Hiles, and Argonne, graduating from Crandon High School, Crandon, in 1956. In high school, she was elected Badger Girls state delegate, president of the student council, and class treasurer.

Her career started in the fall of 1956 in administrative positions at Employers Mutual Insurance Co. in Wausau; Bump Medical Group in Rhinelander; Indian Health Service in Rhinelander; Deputy treasurer of Forest County; and finished her last 20-plus years as an elected official, holding the county clerks position of Forest County. It was a job she was honored to have served. She also shared her Christian values playing the organ at church for over 40 years.

On November 7, 1959, she was united in marriage to Monte James at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Crandon. They were blessed with three children, Brian, Roger (Theresa), and Cheryl; one granddaughter, Kari (Nick); and two great-grandsons, Emerson and Braxston; who were all her greatest joys in life.

Our mom always shared her love of cooking and baking delicious recipes for family and friends, leaving no one hungry but very pleased, enjoying every bite. She loved bowling in a league with friends and family, dancing, beautifully decorating our home inside and out for every holiday, playing cards, board games, snowmobiling, wagon rides, baseball, family vacations, and her many crafts that she made with loving hands and gifted with her whole heart to many. In her later years she truly enjoyed hummingbirds, watching and feeding them.

One of her favorite things was when she and dad traveled west in their pickup truck with a mattress, luggage, and coolers in the back, along with paper maps and road atlases to guide them to the many beautiful sites. They visited several of the beautiful National Parks on their journey, their favorite being Glacier National Park, Montana and British Columbia, Canada.

Also, in her last few years she was so pleased to be able to live closely to her granddaughter and great-grandsons, sharing in their laughter, joy, hugs, and of course the boys’ silliness. She had lots of love surrounding her.

She will be remembered as a loving, caring, selfless, and dearly devoted wife, mother, grannyma, and gigi.

A private family ceremony will be held.

Rest in eternal peace mom, grannyma, and gigi. We love you and will miss you every day. We know you are with dad now watching over us. Your memory will be locked inside our hearts, until we meet again.