Florence Stella Pofahl

Mrs. Florence Stella (Dusnik) Pofahl, age 91 and life long resident of Grand Haven Michigan, passed away Sunday, November 6, 2016 after a short illness. She was born in Grand Haven, Michigan on June 8, 1925 to Jacob & Antonnia (Wlochowicz) Dusnik and was a graduate of Grand Haven High School where she met her future husband of 54 years, Eugene Frederick Pofahl. Florence attended nursing and secretarial training and upon Gene's return from Europe at the end of World War II, Florence and Gene were married on October 19, 1946 in what would become their family church, St. Paul's United Church of Christ of Grand Haven, Michigan. Florence was very active in various programs through the church where she held leadership roles. Children in the area also benefited from Florence's leadership as a teacher and volunteer in the Brownies, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts of America. Besides dedicating her adult life to raising six children along with her husband Gene, Florence was instrumental in assisting Gene in owning and operating Pofahl Electric Company of Grand Haven for nearly 50 years. Florence and Gene, along with 10 other couples who had children with disabilities, worked to form Kandu in Grand Haven in 1953. These parents were concerned about what their children were going to do once they graduated from school. Today, Kandu, now located in Holland, Michigan, still works to address the same concerns of its founders through training and education of persons with disabilities. When asked about her greatest accomplishment, Florence would always say, "My children." Florence insisted that all her children attend and graduate from college; an accomplishment they all achieved. Florence's dedication to the well being of her children was the cornerstone of her life's accomplishments: involvement in Kandu, St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Girl's and Boy's Scouting, and a focus on individual health and education. SURVIVORS Florence is survived by four daughters, Mary Rose (Lee) LeRoy of Kalamazoo MI, Nancy Gene (Terry Shumate) Pofahl of Houston TX, Diane F. (Mike Lorenz) Pofahl of Pittsburg PA, Karen Ann (Pat) Chabot of Sonora CA; one son, Steven Harry (Jayne) Pofahl of Grand Haven MI; eleven beloved grandchildren, Laura (Jeff) Pomeroy, Lesley (Justin) Jones, Jason (Jamie) Lorenz, Greg and William Lorenz, Jenna (Grant) Osborne, Erica (Justin) Reynolds, Alison Chabot, Stephanie (John) Halladay, Lauren (Clark) Baker and Logan Pofahl; eight great grandchildren, Ashleigh and Abigail Pomeroy, Tyler Jones, Mary Reynolds, Kilee, Jayse and Brynn Halladay and Hadley Baker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene on October 6, 2000; their eldest daughter, Carol Lynn Pofahl on November 19, 1967; one grandson, Adam Pofahl Lorenz on January 9, 1989; sisters, Pauline, Rose and Julia; brothers, Chet and Jack. SERVICE Friday, November 11, 2016, 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Grand Haven with Rev. Dan Anderson officiating. MEMORIAL: In lieu of customary remembrances, Florence and her family request that contributions be made to either Harbor Hospice Foundation for the Poppen House or Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (www.maryfreebed.com).