Dolores Marie Pokela

Age: 87 February 05, 1926 – May 23, 2013 Memorial services celebrating the life of Dolores Marie Pokela, 87, of St. Cloud, MN, will be at 10:30 AM Friday, June 7, 2013 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Father Al Stangl will officiate and burial will take place at a later date. Dolores passed away May 23, 2013, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. There will be a visitation after 9:30 AM on Friday, June 7, 2013 at the church. Arrangements are being made with the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home in St. Cloud.Dolores was born February 5, 1926, in Prentice, Wisc, the daughter of Mark and Grace (Hoffman) Curtis. Dolores married Arne Pokela, of Brantwood, Wisc, in 1944. Dolores was preceded in death by Arne in after 60 years of marriage. During World War II, Dolores worked in Chicago as a “Rosie the Riveter” prior to marrying Arne. She spent the next thirty years primarily raising her seven children, but also helped Arne with his insurance business for many years. Over the years, they lived in Prentice, WI; Two Harbors, MN; Sioux Falls, SD; and St. Cloud, MN. After raising her family, Dolores was the first woman to graduate from St. Cloud Technical College’s carpentry school in the mid-1970s. She loved theater, and volunteered on stage set construction, as well as on the Board, of the former County Stearns Theater. She also started and ran a number of small businesses. Dolores loved spending time with her many friends, especially playing bridge. Dolores and Arne loved to travel, attended many Elderhostels, and travelled abroad. They also spent many winters in Florida and Arizona, making many life-long friends wherever they went. Dolores & Arne raised a loving and close family of seven children: Tom (Darla) Pokela, Sioux Falls, SD; Christine (Bill) Schonning, Andover; Julie (Liz Denny) Pokela, Florence, MA; Beth (Tom Porter) Pokela, Buenos Aires, Arg.; Deb (John) Sheldon, Litchfield; Jim (Vicki Violet) Pokela, Anoka; and Barb (Berny Ackley) Pokela, Minneapolis. She was very proud of her 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many beloved relatives and friends.Our matriarch was much loved and will be hugely missed. Donations preferred to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Alzheimer’s Association. Schedule and Information Visitation Details There will be a visitation after 9:30 AM on Friday, June 7, 2013 at the church. I-94 is under construction near St. Cloud, going from 4 to 2 lanes coming from the Twin Cities, and causing a delay of 10-15 minutes. St. Pauls Catholic Church is located at 1125 11th Ave. No., St. Cloud. Avoid 11th Street in approaching the church since it is under construction. Take 9th Ave. No. to 13th St.; go left on 13th St. to 11th Ave.; go left on 11th two blocks to the church. Parking is recommended on 11th Ave or another side street. Visitation Location Saint Pauls Catholic Church Saint Cloud, MN Visitation Map Memorials Donations preferred to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Alzheimers Association. Contact Us Toll free phone number:    (800) 644-4058 Local phone number:   (320) 251-CARE Email Us:  [email protected] Locations St. Cloud Albany Holdingford Upsala © Copyright 2018 Miller Carlin Funeral Home, All Rights Reserved