Stella Pohl

With a life that spanned many decades, Stella Pohl was shaped by the people and experiences in the world around her, only to use these life lessons to teach others so much about strength, ambition, and compassion. She was a woman of faith who treasured her family, and she enjoyed a diverse palette of interests as well. Stella was an extraordinary woman in ways too numerous to count whose legacy of faith and love will surely withstand the ebb and flow of the tide. The year 1918 was a monumental year as it marked the end of WWI, leading to the beginning of a prosperous time within our nation. It was during this same year that Alfred and Nancy (Smith) Lawrence, of Linden, Tennessee, were pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Stella Marion, on November 20th. Stella was raised on the family farm located in the hills of Tennessee as the sixth of ten children born in the Lawrence family. Stella stood out as the only black-haired beauty in her family. These were different times in America families helped families, and people found joy in simple things and Stellas family was no exception. They enjoyed a close community where neighbors worked together, and she often visited with her extended family including numerous cousins that lived nearby. Stella often sat around their pot-bellied stove listening to the radio, making dolls out of clay, creating pretend kitchens out of fence posts and stones, or swinging over the creek on vines. Stella always knew that she was going somewhere and was filled with the ambition to become a nurse. She knew that she didnt want a life on a farm, even refusing a proposal from a young man who desired the farming life. Stella only dated young men with ambition, and those that had a desire to work hard as well. She attended local schools and graduated from Sylvan Shade High School in 1938, and she and her sister moved to Muskegon a short time after in order to find work. This would prove to be a fateful move for Stella as it was in Muskegon that she met the man who would forever hold a special place in her heart. His name was Bill Pohl and he frequented the Mart Ice Skating Rink where Stella worked at the concession stand. Initially, Stella was not interested in him since he appeared to lack ambition, though he was a talented skater. Contrary to her beliefs, Bill worked the swing shift at a local factory, leaving him various times to skate. A romance soon blossomed between the handsome Bill and the striking Stella, and they were married on November 29, 1941 in Detroit. Although they were opposites at times, they enjoyed a fulfilling marriage over more than 60 years. The newlyweds were soon blessed with five children in seven years: Judie, Cathy, Nancy Jo, Michael, and Daniel. In addition to her roles as a wife and mother, occasionally Stella worked part-time in a shop when Bills back was giving him trouble. As a mother, Stella was a firm disciplinarian and believed in the saying spare the rod spoil the child. However, Stella balanced her firmness with unconditional love and fun too, always open to her children inviting friends over for BBQs and hot chocolate. She instilled within her children a great sense of thriftiness, spirituality, concern for others, and the great value in an education. On one occasion, Judie was chased up the stairs with a stern scolding by her mother for voicing a desire to quit school due to feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities. Stella would have no part of that plan, and it never did come to fruition either! Tragedy struck in the Pohl family when on Halloween evening in 1951, Nancy Jo tragically died after being hit by a car. These were very difficult times for their family, causing them great stress and allowing depression to settle in for a time. They found comfort within the embrace of the numerous members of the Calvary Baptist Church of Fruitport that surrounded their family with their love and concern. This warm outreach led Stella and her family to become long and faithful members of Calvary Baptist where they established many life-long friendships. When her youngest child was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Stella took this diagnosis in stride and also became actively involved in the Muscular Dystrophy Association for which she organized drives each year. Family was always of the utmost importance to Stella and it was of great value that she imparted this gift of family upon the hearts of her children as well. Their family often enjoyed trips to Tennessee where they visited with relatives. In fact, Stella always enjoyed family gatherings of all kinds whether they were picnics, dinners, picking apples or celebrating an event like a wedding or graduation. In addition to spending time with her family, there were other ways in which Stella spent her days. After earning her LPN degree, she worked as an LPN for the State of Michigan until she retired in 1982. At her church, Stella was a member of the Loyalty Sunday School Class and the Missionary Club, and she taught Sunday school there as well. She was also a member of the community Scrabble Club, and enjoyed gardening, quilting, reading, and traveling. Later, Stella enjoyed taking advantage of the extra time that retirement brought to their lives. They especially liked traveling numerous places, especially down south. It seemed only fitting that in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, Stella and Bill enjoyed a trip to Hawaii. Stella Pohl was a special woman to so many and she spent her life caring for the loved ones in her life. She was loyal and believed in justice, was sociable and self-confident too. Stella was driven and possessed a great desire to succeed, placing a significant value on education, and was so proud the day she earned her LPN degree in 1966. She was witty and fun-loving, bringing light and life to all those within her reach. Stella leaves behind precious memories that will live on in the hearts of all those she leaves behind. Stella M. Pohl died Thursday, August 6, 2009. Stellas family includes her husband of 67 years, William; two sons, Michael Pohl, Daniel Pohl; two daughters, Judie (Neil) Schmachtenberger, Cathy (Gary) Neuman Ritsema; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and special care givers, Sharon Morris and Pat Dykema. She was preceded in death by her five brothers and four sisters. A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 10, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at the Clock Chapel with Rev. Dr. William Rudd officiating. Interment at Restlawn Cemetery. Visit with Stellas family and friends on Sunday, 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. and on Monday, one hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home, 1469 Peck St. Muskegon, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or Calvary Baptist Church.