BOONE, Iowa—Keith Alan Pohl, of Boone, went HOME into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at the age of 52 after a yearlong courageous battle with cancer.
Friends may call from 3-7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at the Fareway Conference Center at the Cobblestone Inn and Suites in Boone. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at the Fareway Conference Center at the Cobblestone Inn and Suites in Boone.
Due to COVID-19, social distancing and use of facemasks will be encouraged.
Keith was born on December 29, 1967 and went home with his parents, John and Sharon Pohl to meet his two year old beloved brother, Eric. Baby sister, Brenda, joined their happy family on February 1, 1974. Keith grew up in rural Boone County on his parent’s family farm where he loved playing with neighbor boys, helping his Dad with chores, farming, and raising baby pigs.
In 1986, Keith graduated from United Community High School where he participated in several sports. He then went on to Ellsworth Community College, graduating with an Associate’s Degree in 1988. He enjoyed playing football at Ellsworth and met his future wife, Sharon McGuire, a cheerleader. The couple went on to Mankato State for one year.
Following college, Keith worked in construction, operating heavy equipment. He also worked for Major’s Concrete and was always a good worker.
Keith and Sharon were married on August 28, 1993 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To this union two little boys were born, Nathan John and Brandon Ryan.
Keith always showed an interest in farming, so after numerous jobs his Dad offered him the opportunity to farm with him. He also raised pigs and later switched to feeding cattle. As his dad began reaching retirement age, Keith took over the farming responsibilities, making his parents proud. He did a fantastic job and even as the cancer invaded his body, he never gave up, making sure the corn and beans got planted in record time.
Keith enjoyed playing slow pitch softball for many years until his boys were old enough to play Babe Ruth and Boone Little League baseball. He began coaching his sons’ baseball teams and continued doing so for many years. He also umpired numerous games over the years, earning the respect of spectators for being responsible and fair. Keith loved and had a special way with kids and they loved him back. He gained an abundance of friends over the years through his travels in slow pitch softball, the boys he coached and their parents, and also the community.
After he and Sharon divorced, Keith built a life with his significant other, Kelly Stark and became active in the lives of her four children, as well as his own boys, helping her raise them as his own.
While Nathan went to Morningside College in Sioux City for four years, Keith never missed his son’s football games, whether they were home or away games. He gained many more new friends during that time.
Keith was loved by so many people throughout his life. He was like a magnet attracting and touching so many lives. He could be a little gruff at times, but he was actually just a big teddy bear with an enormous heart of gold.
Surviving Keith are his parents, John and Sharon; his sister, Brenda Fisher; his sons: Nathan and his fiancé, Merrin Blum and Brandon and his girlfriend, Maddie Postma; his former wife, Sharon; his significant other, Kelly Stark; Kelly’s children: Michael Stark (Hannah Crady), Mason Stark (Makayla Anderson) and their daughter, Willow Stark, Mallory Hansen, and Lucy Hansen; nieces:Lindsey (Cory) Mongar and Brooke Fisher; a nephew: Ryan Fisher; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and an abundance of friends.
Preceding Keith in death are his brother, Eric; sister, Sally Ann; grandparents, Sherman and Irene Pohl and Don and Evanelle Erickson; aunt, Marge Shreve; and a cousin, Dale Erickson.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall in Boone and online condolences may be left for Keith’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.
Keith Pohl, 52, Boone, Iowa
