Theodora "Theoda" Charlotte Pohlman, age 95, of Hermann, passed away Friday, October 27, 2017 at the Hermann Area District Hospital, Hermann, Missouri. 

Theoda was born near Americus, Missouri on July 16th, 1922, the daughter of the late Fredrick William and Alida Catherine (nee Bucker) Eldringhoff. She was the seventh of nine children.

Theoda married Eugene Lauer on July 25, 1944. He passed away at the age of 31 on March 23, 1955.  She then married Cletus Anthony Pohlman on June 14, 1958, He passed away on June 13, 1981.

Theoda is survived by a daughter, Patricia Heldt and husband Ray, of Hermann; a son, Stanley Lauer and wife Sallee, of Mexico; a son, Richard Lauer, of Hermann; a daughter, Cynthia Hoffman and husband Scott, of Washington; a daughter, Denise Merino and husband Dan, of San Diego, California; by a sister Lillian Gloe, Hermann; by her grandchildren, Stephanie O'Connell and husband Phil, Kansas City; Charlotte Struttmann and husband Chad, Hermann, Loren Heldt and wife Traci, Hermann, Alex Heldt and wife Megan, Rhineland, Marla Heldt, Rock Port, Micah Lauer and wife Liz, Mexico, Joshua Lauer and wife Cassie, Mexico, Anthony and Nathaniel Hoffman, both of Washington, Kyle and Zachary Merino, both of San Diego, CA; and by her great-grandchildren Samantha and Daniel O'Connell, Dylan Masur and Sidney Heldt, Emma and Ellie Heldt, Jacob, Katie and Grace Lauer, and Miriam and Elijah Lauer.

Theoda was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, two sons, Harold Wayne Lauer and Eric Anthony Pohlman, four sisters, Alma Heying, Marie Lauer, Geraldine Monnig, and Modesta Overkamp and three brothers, Vincent, Leonard and Ludger Eldringhoff.

Theoda knew the meaning of hard work, being raised on a farm during the depression. She was the first child across the then-new Hermann bridge, carried on the shoulders of her uncle. She graduated eighth grade from St. Martin’s-Starkenburg School and was possibly the oldest surviving graduate of that school.

As a young woman, she worked in St. Louis as a nanny, and later returned home to work at the shoe factory. She married Gene during the war, and when he returned, they farmed in Case and Americus. They moved to Hermann and operated Joe’s Cafe in 1952, the year that the first public Maifest was held and crowds converged on an unsuspecting town. Later as a young widow with three children, Theoda began working as a checker for Krogers. Marriage to Cletus brought three more children and the construction of a larger home on East Hill, which became the center of life for her family for many years. She had a large garden, canned, made apple butter, grew roses, and generally had a green thumb. The family enjoyed spending summer vacations at the Lake of the Ozarks and many summer weekends skiing and swimming on the Gasconade River.   

Theoda later worked at Leibach’s Market and eventually was employed for many years at Loutre Market. She took pride in being able to memorize the weekly ads as this was before the days of price scanners. As her family grew up, she took a job at Hermann Hospital in the kitchen. After the death of Cletus, she retired and decided to work part-time at Rivertown Restaurant, until she finally retired again at the age of 87. Theoda was well known for her pies and German Potato Salad, and because of her outgoing personality and employment, was acquainted with many people throughout the region. In her even later years, she befriended and took care of many “older” people—cooking a meal, doing a little cleaning, or staying the night to nurse someone who was sick. She was kind, generous, and never knew a stranger.

Her joys were simple—faith, family and a productive life. Theoda was a faithful member of St. George Catholic Church and the Ladies Sodality, and in later years, was rarely found without her rosary, which she prayed until the day before she left us. She was an excellent seamstress as well as producing countless quilts, afghans and embroideries, loved to dance, play cards and games, and always enjoyed being with her large extended families, especially her children and grandchildren. They will remember her pies, popcorn balls, potato candy, and never being able to leave Grandma’s without being fed.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. George Church, Hermann, Missouri, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 22nd, with Rev. Msgr. Gregory Higley
officiating.  Following the Mass, a celebration of life and time of remembrance, along with lunch, will be held in the church basement.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. George Church, Hermann, Missouri or St. Martin's Church Museum, Starkenburg, Missouri. 
 

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