Mary Charlene Peiffer

Mary Charlene "Charlie" Peiffer, 89, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center. A rosary will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Urbandale. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the church. A luncheon will follow the Mass of Christian Burial at The Machine Shed in Urbandale. Guests are welcome to attend, with meals available at their own expense. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Wexford, near Lansing, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, or Immaculate Conception Church in Wexford.

Charlie was born on May 29, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Henry James and Bernice Regina (Mitera) Johnson. She was raised in Omaha and attended Holy Name School from kindergarten through her senior year of high school.

On June 25, 1960, Charlie married the love of her life, Bernard "Ben" Peiffer, in Omaha. Together they built a wonderful life, making their home in Waterloo, Hudson, and Harpers Ferry, Iowa. They also enjoyed spending 27 winters in Mesa, Arizona, before moving to Urbandale in 2017.

Charlie dedicated herself to her family as a homemaker and, for several years, sold House of Decorative Accessories (HODA). She had a wonderful sense of humor and was known for her practical jokes, witty storytelling, and the joy she found in making others laugh. She loved preparing meals and baking for her family, spending time fishing, and cheering on her children at countless sporting events and band concerts. Once her children were grown, Charlie embraced new hobbies, including golfing, playing cards, and gambling, where her competitive spirit always shined through. Above all, she treasured the time she spent with her family and friends. Being a grandmother and later a great-grandmother brought her immense pride and happiness, and her family was truly the center of her world.

Charlie is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Ben; her five children, Tim (Katie) Peiffer of Mesa, Arizona, Deb (Roger) Murphy of Grimes, Iowa, Karen (Pat) Waldorf of Ankeny, Iowa, Ron (Julie) Peiffer of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, and Beth (Chris) Copic of Johnston, Iowa; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, with two more expected soon; her sister-in-law, Peg McNamara of Sunriver, Oregon; her brothers-in-law, Robert (Mary) Peiffer of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and Joe Hartman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; many beloved nieces and nephews; and bonus family member, Shannon Stokes of Johnston, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Bernice Johnson; her brother, Jim Johnson; her sister, Henrietta Bender; her sisters-in-law, Catherine Johnson, Carol Hartman, Mary Beth Parcheta, and her brothers-in-law, Jack Parcheta and Mike McNamara.

As her family reflects on Charlie's life, they are reminded of words spoken by a priest at her Uncle Mike's funeral—words that now seem especially fitting for her:

"Charlie and God went for a walk, and it turned out to be a long walk. Before long, they stopped and looked around. God said, 'Charlie, we're closer to My house than yours. Why don't you come home with Me?'"

Those who knew and loved Charlie find comfort in believing she has now made that final walk home, where she is reunited with those who have gone before her and welcomed into God's eternal embrace.