Bernadette "Bernie" Pohl

BERNADETTE ANN ("Bernie") POHL entered eternal life on March 22, 2014. Bernie was born November 17, 1951 in MInneapolis, MN to William J. and Vera (Godfrey) Diehl, the fifth of eleven children. When she was two years old the family moved to what became the family home for the next 35 years in south Minneapolis. She graduated from Incarnation grade school and Regina High School before attending the University of MInnesota in Duluth. There she majored in elementary education with a minor in Physical Education. Bernie's first work after graduation from the U of M was as a physical education teacher in several Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. She believed in physical education as a way of helping children develop physically, socially, and emotionally, and stressed striving for one's personal best rather than competitive achievement. Later, Bernie taught English as a Second Language(ESL) for Adults in the Minneapolis public school system. In 1983 Bernie met Gerald (Gerry)Pohl in a young adult group. They quickly became a very good friends but didn't start dating until Bernie returned in 1984 from a 6 month stay in Europe with her brother's family. They were married on February 28, 1987, at Incarnation Church in Minneapolis, Bernie's home parish, and settled into Gerry's home in St. Anthony. Son Michael was born in 1989, and Joseph was born in 1992. Another son, Christopher, died in infancy in 1991. After the children were born, she continued to teach ESL on a part time basis so that she could spend more time with her children. When both her sons were in school she dec ided to pursue her long-time dream of getting a Master's Degree in Theology. She enrolled in the Institute of Pastoral Theology offered by the University of Dallas with classes held at the local parish school. She received her Masters degree in May 2001, missing out being the Valedictorian by the smallest of margins. She was hired as Director of Religious Education at Holy Trinity Parish in South St. Paul, a position she held for several years until she retired. Bernie loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking and cross country skiing until she was no longer capable of doing those things. But as much as she could she would still go walking around the lakes or parks in the area. For her, nature was all part of God's glorious creation. As a loving mother and wife, she always put the needs of others before her own. She encouraged her sons to do their best but was there to support them when things didn't work out. She truly enjoyed watching her sons participate in sporting or singing events and having family time at home. Her kind and generous heart will always be remembered. In 2009 Bernie was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. She was told that fewer than 15% of people with this diagnosis survived beyond five years, but she decided she would do everything possible to fall into that 15%. Five years of increasingly aggressive treatment followed, but the cancer would not be controlled. On March 20 she was admitted to St. Therese Hospice at St. Odilia Parish in Shoreview, where she was warmly welcomed by the staff. On Saturday, March 22, after some visiting friends had prayed and said their goodbyes Bernie peacefully died holding her husband's hand. Bernadette was pre-deceased by her son Christopher, her parents William and Vera Diehl and two sisters, Patricia Parrish and Martha Diehl. She is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Gerry, her sons Michael and Joseph, 3 sisters: Ann Diehl, Marianne Jacobs ,Sheila Mathias, and 5 brothers: William, Mark, Jeffrey, James and John, and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 835 2nd Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 on Saturday, March 29, at 11:00, with visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Minneapolis, where her son Christopher is buried. Although Bernie very much liked flowers, she would have preferred memorials to EWTN, Relevant Radio, Cradle of Hope or Pro-Life Across America.

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Bernadette "Bernie" Pohl

March 22, 2014

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