Julia Pfeifer

Gracious and kind to the end, Julia Cooper Pfeifer, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully at home early Saturday, December 6, 2025. The daughter of the late Warren and Elizabeth (George) Cooper, Julie was born into their Crawford County farming family on September 15, 1943. There the foundation of her life was set - family, farm and fellowship.

Active in 4-H, while showing her steers at the Crawford County Fair she met her husband of sixty years, Paul, whose steers were tied across the aisle. After graduating from Mt. Zion High School in 1961, she joined Paul at The Ohio State University where she earned a degree in Medical Dietetics from the OSU College of Medicine in 1965. A month later, Julie and Paul were married, and she began her professional career as a medical dietitian covering a surgery floor at OSU’s hospital.

In early 1969, Julie and Paul purchased their present home and returned to Bucyrus where she taught kindergarten at Mt. Zion for one year before starting a family and helping Paul launch his political career and law practice. After their children were school age, she joined the medical staff at Bucyrus Community Hospital, serving as their dietitian for more than twenty-five years before retiring. She also assisted part-time in that role at the Galion Community Hospital and in 2000 helped six Mansfield physicians open an independent stand-alone birthing center.

Over the span of her lifetime, Julie was active in a variety of charitable organizations, a 4-H advisor and faithfully joining the choir and youth activities at the former Grace United Methodist Church in Bucyrus. Far more athletic than her husband, self-taught, Julie enjoyed family ski outings in Colorado and Utah in the winter and hiking or rafting in many of the great national parks west of the Mississippi River during summer months.

Her favorite place to be however, was at home with her family on their farms. She was a terrific mother to two daughters, Lisa Pfeifer (Rachel Rubey), Beth Pfeifer, and son Kurt Pfeifer (Holli). Julie was devoted to her five grandchildren, providing all unconditional love. In order of age, they are Pierce Krassow, Drew Krassow, Liv Krassow, Arthur Pfeifer-Rubey, and Harry Pfeifer-Rubey.

Julie was a wonderful host, famous especially for her peppermint pie served on Christmas Eve. She was always just plain fun to be around. Quiet but quick witted, she could evaluate a situation immediately and say something wise or funny. She remained throughout her life a gifted judge of character, and, of course, of livestock. Her voice will be missed from the many choirs she sang in, and from the home she so lovingly made.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, John and Jo Cooper and sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Richard Byrnes. The excellent Southern Care Hospice team provided comfort, care and guidance for Julie and her family during her final month.

All services will be held on Saturday, December 13 in Bucyrus. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 am at Bucyrus Methodist Church with the funeral to follow at 11:00 am, Rev. Matt Anderson officiating. A luncheon will then be shared at The Loft at Pickwick Place from noon until 2:00 pm, all are invited to attend for a more relaxed time of sharing. Julie will be laid to rest next to her parents in Oakwood Cemetery at 2:30 pm. Bucyrus United Methodist Church is located at 227 South Walnut Street and Pickwick Place is at 1875 North Sandusky Street, State Route 4, just immediately north of the U.S. Route 30 interchange, also in Bucyrus.

Memorial contributions are encouraged to be directed to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, providing beds for children in need in Crawford and Wyandot counties. These gifts may be given at the church or through Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook of Julie’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.