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Lita R. Poehnelt, age 88, of Abbotsford, passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2016 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Abbotsford. Father Tim Oudenhoven will officiate. Interment to follow at the Abbotsford Public Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 11:00 a.m. until time of service Friday at the church.
Lita was born on August 5, 1928, the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Mueller) Oelke in the Town of Little Black. She graduated from Medford High School and received a Teacher certificate from Medford Normal. Lita taught for a few years in rural Medford. She was united in marriage to Leo Poehnelt on November 13, 1948. Together they farmed in Dorchester for a number of years before moving to Abbotsford. They eventually purchased the business which became Leo's 24 hour Service where she worked as a bookkeeper.
Lita was a woman of strong faith and devoted to her family. She was an honorary member of St. Bernard's PCCW. She enjoyed crafts, ceramics, knitting, baking, tending her flower garden, playing dominoes and sudoku.
Lita is survived by her husband of 67 years, Leo of Abbotsford; six children: Cheryl (Garrett) O'Reilly of East Troy, Karen LaPine of Abbotsford, Allen (Judy) of Medford, David (Linda) of Marshfield, Dawn (Gene) Allar of Spencer and Mark of Madison; 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her brother, Leland (Sharon) Oelke of West Bend; two sisters-in-law, Catherine Poehnelt of Marshfield and Tina Pillar of Medford; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Alvin in infancy and Kenneth Oelke, and a son-in-law, Lawrence LaPine.