Ermal Pogeler

A funeral service for Ermal Pogeler, age 97, of Spirit Lake, was held Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 10:30am at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Burial will be at Lakeview Gardens. Ermal Louise Pogeler was born on August 20, 1917 in Wayne County, Iowa, the daughter of John (Zern) and Ella Marie (Klinger) Niday. She was raised and educated in Sewal, Iowa, graduating from Sewal Consolidated High School. She attended Iowa State Teacher's College (now UNI), obtaining her teachers license. Following two years teaching at a country school, Ermal earned her Bachelor's Degree from North East Missouri Teacher's College (now Truman State University). Her teaching career continued at Sewal, Seymour and Manson, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Lewis Pogeler on March 8, 1952 in Manson, Iowa. The couple made their home in Manson, where they raised their children Debra Ann and Martin John. Ermal returned to teaching when the children were in upper elementary, finishing a thirty year teaching career in 1980. Upon retirement, Ermal and Lewis built a home in Arnolds Park. She enjoyed fishing, flowers and traveling. Above all, however, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Ermal passed away Sunday, March 22, 2015 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake, at ninety-seven years of age. She is survived by her children Debra Ann Ellis (Roger) of New London, Wisconsin and Marty Pogeler (Rondi) of Arnolds Park; grandchildren, Angela Ellis (Eric Morser) and their son, Nicholas, Brett Ellis (Alicia) and Shannon Ellis (Adam Foreber); sister-in-law, Leila Niday; nephews, nieces and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lewis, siblings, Ervin Niday and Opal Marie Johnston.