Norman Pohlman

Norman William Pohlman, son of William and Marie (Brill) Pohlman was born March 14, 1921 in Heron Lake Township, Jackson County, Minnesota. He was baptized on April 3, 1921 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield and confirmed April 5, 1936. Norman attended school in rural Heron Lake Township. He married Helen Sievert on September 5, 1943 at St John's Lutheran Church in Okabena. The couple settled into their first home on the Pohlman farm in Heron Lake Township farming with his dad (William Pohlman). Norman enlisted into the US Army, Company L, 27th Infantry Regiment, and 25th Division on September 15, 1944. During his time of service in World War II he was wounded during an artillery attack near Luzon, and received numerous medals including Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Purple Heart. After returning home, Norman and Helen resided on farms in Lakefield and Sioux Valley before moving to the family farm in Sioux Valley in December of 1962, where they lived and raised their six children. The couple retired and moved to Loon Lake by Jackson in 1989. After Helen's death, Norman stayed at Loon Lake but then moved to Wel-Life in Spirit Lake and spent the past nine months at Milford Nursing Center, Milford, Iowa. Norman was a very devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux Valley where he served as Elder, Chairman of the Voters, taught Sunday School and Bible Class, sang in the choir and held numerous other offices. Within the community, Norman was a member of the Sioux Valley Legion serving as Commander and numerous other offices and was a member of the VFW. Norm was also active on the Hunter and Sioux Valley Township Boards and served as Jackson County Commissioner from January 1981 thru December 1992. Other activities included Lakefield Farmers Coop Elevator Board and Jackson County Fair Board. Norm enjoyed farming. After the children were raised, Norm and Helen found time for traveling with fishing trips to Canada, trips to Germany, Sweden, Hawaii, Alaska and many other state trips visiting family. Norman's pride was renovating his A John Deere and he also enjoyed woodworking. Norman's special love and devotion was to his wife Helen and family with special care given to nieces and nephews and young men coming to stay and grow on the farm. Norman and Helen also had a love for helping others and hosting foreign exchange students. Norman passed away Saturday afternoon September 7, 2013 at Milford Nursing Center in Milford, Iowa at ninety-two years of age. Norman is survived by his six children Douglas (Susan) Pohlman of Sioux Valley, Vicki (Gary) Place of Round Lake, Steven (Marsha) Pohlman of Jackson, Stan (LeAnn) Pohlman of Sioux Valley, Roger (Shelley) Pohlman of Red Wing, MN and Dawn (Jeffrey) Luetje of Westside, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; five sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Helen, infant daughter, Linda, infant great-grandson Landon, brother LeRoy, sister Dorothy, and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Blessed be his memory.