Mary Lou Pouwels' Memorial Service Video

Mary Lou Pouwels (Koch), 81, of Hortonville passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Mary was born in Appleton on July 19, 1943 to Les and Hazel Koch. Appleton was home to Mary throughout her adolescence, attending school there and graduating with the class of 1961. Throughout Mary's youth and her adulthood she spent several memorable years at Shawano Lake. Mary worked at Mike Murphy Ford as their Office Manager for over 30 years. Mary forged a family-like bond with the staff and owners, which meant a great deal to her. Mary was one of the original organizing members of the Hortonville First Responders. For 32 years Mary invested her care, compassion, and commitment to this most important service to the community.

Although she didn't have any problems keeping busy, Mary was far from all work and no play. She loved to shoot pool, bowl, and play Bridge with her club. In her limited free time that remained Mary was a member of the Hortonville Polar Bears Snowmobile Club and volunteered for the United Way. Another of Mary's great joys was a well crafted old fashioned. Despite her active lifestyle, she made time to pursue hobbies. She loved gardening, canning, knitting, and was a voracious reader. She employed her record keeping skills in accounting for every book she read, in spread sheet style. Mary was a snow bird - each year she wintered in Texas from the time she retired up until this very year. She was a long-time member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Stephensville, actively serving with the Ladies Aide. Mary's friends in flight were important to her. Feeding, caring for, and watching the birds was a joyous daily activity. Mary loved going for rides in the convertible and on the motorcycle with her companion Charlie.

Mary is survived by her children, Linda Thiede, John (Cheryl) Trent, Jennifer (Corey) Hietpas, Jim (Rebecca Rosa) Lemke; step-daughter, Sheila Otto; grandchildren, Michael (Buffy) Lubinski, Andrew Lubinski, Jordan (Corey Schoff) Trent, Jami Trent, Tyler Hietpas, Cole Hietpas, Jesse Lemke; great-grandchildren, Ashton, Nathan, Gavin, Adrianna, Jace; many step-grand and step-great-grand children; six special nieces who were like daughters to her; and by Charlie Koeller, her best friend, companion, and partner in crime. The years spent with Charlie were Mary's best.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Lemke Sr. and husband Dale Pouwels; her parents; a step-son, Alvin Lemke Jr.; sons-in-law, Ken Thiede and Karl Otto; and a sister, Amber Blount.

Funeral Services for Mary will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stephensville with Rev. Joel Lillo officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 23 at Borchardt & Moder Funeral Home in Hortonville from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. as well as from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday August 24. Burial will take place at Mosquito Hill Cemetery in the Town of Liberty at a later date.

In lieu of plants, flowers, and monetary expressions of sympathy, the family requests that donations be made to the Hortonville EMS. A donation drop box will be open to the public at Mary's visitation.