Douglas Charles Pfliiger

Douglas Charles Pfliiger, 68, Bismarck, formerly of Carson, ND, lost his valiant battle to pancreatic cancer among other life-threatening conditions while at home under Hospice Care on June 13, 2018. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am MT Saturday, June 23, at the Carson Fair Building, with Rev. Deanna Reikow officiating. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm CT Friday, June 22, at First Presbyterian Church, 310 3rd Ave NW, Mandan. Douglas Charles Pfliiger was born to Doris Norma (Woodbury) and Norman Charles Pfliiger in Elgin, North Dakota, December 14, 1949, in the middle of an ice storm, it was a long way to Elgin that day. He grew up on the family farm south of Carson, ND, and went to the old country school located at Brisbane, ND. Doug was an experienced rancher. Although you wouldn’t know it by talking to him, he was dedicated to the health of livestock, whether he was hauling them or helping to raise them on the ranch. Doug went to Colorado for a week long school so that he could perform cesareans on his dad’s herd if needed, and always helped a neighbor with cow trouble. Doug loved to farm old farmer style with a plow that turned over fresh spring dirt. His son David, who is Burleigh County’s Conservationist, tried to convert his dad, but to no avail. The land at his mom and dad’s farm was his first love and his best hobby. To him nothing was more important than getting the crop in. Through high school he was a Carson Chieftain, playing basketball and football with the dedication and determination he had in everything he did. He grew up with his cousins, Lloyd, Loren and Russell Woodbury and their escapades are legendary in this loving family. Lots of stories have been told and future generations will continue to tell them in the years to come. Days after the blizzard of 1966 he walked 13 miles to Carson so he could play in the tournaments as the plows weren’t operating yet.   He was the president of Carson High’s Future Farmers of America, Star Farmer in 1967 and Senior Class Treasurer (he was very good at keeping track of the beer money). He attended North Dakota State University in 1967 with the intention of becoming a veterinarian, but the land called his name the spring of 1968 and veterinarian school became a distant memory. On July 14, 1967, he married a California city girl named Suzy. They were blessed to have four children: Scott, David, Larri’ and Amber. His children were Doug’s heart and his love for them was deeper than he was ever able to express. Doug also loved to drive truck so he added another passion to the growing list of owning his own truck, so Pfliiger Trucking was born.   He hauled logs, grain and oddly enough cattle. He once crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Nantucket Island with his truck on a barge to move his friend Vaughn Chesrown’s aunt Melva. He drove a Hartman Truck for years, then a bull rack for Glatt Livestock. He met a lot of good people who became lifelong friends while he was on the road. His friends called him Stinger or Spoogie. He was a hell of a good farmer and truck driver according to his dad; his kids think so too. In this life he leaves his wife of 50 years, Ellen Suzanne (Meyers), sons Scott Douglas (Stacey Riehl), David Douglass (Roxi Opp), his daughters Larri’ Norma (Brian Schmid) and Amber Suzanne (Joshua Porter). His grandchildren were his pride and joy, giving him the twinkle in his eye and lots to chuckle about. They include triplets Lakyn Anne, MiKayla Jane and Layne Monica Pfliiger, Destiny Suzanne Pfliiger, Rylee Suzanne Pfliiger, David Joshua Porter and Sophia Larri’ Porter. Their antics and adventures tickled their PaPa and they will miss him always. Sharing his journey through this life is his father Norman, sister Audrey (Jeff Dahners), brothers Doyle (Maria) and Daren Pfliiger. Cousins Lloyd, Loren, Russell Woodbury and Evan Pfliiger and lots of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris Woodbury Pfliiger and grandparents Charles and Marie (Rossom) Pfliiger, Walt and Minnie (Brinkman) Woodbury and Shirley Kison Finn, uncles and aunts Dorothy and Bill Woodbury, Inez and Edward Pfliiger; cousin Eileen “Chick” Woodbury Koenig, who shared Doug’s birthday; and Doug’s beloved niece, Jodi Lynn Pfliiger. “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal” In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to a charity of the family’s choice.