Jerry, my sympathies to you and your family. I watched the video tribute of your father and, as a native Minnesota girl myself, those wonderful midwest values that were on full display warmed my heart. Peace
Firmin M. Pogatshnik
February 3, 1932 – September 4, 2012
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, September 7th at 10:30 AM at St. Stephen Catholic Church in St. Stephen for Firmin M. Pogatshnik, age 80, of St. Stephen, who died on Tuesday at Quiet Oaks Hospice in St. Augusta. Rev. Robert Harren will officiate. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday between 4:00-8:00 PM and on Friday after 9:00 AM at the St. Stephen Parish Hall in St. Stephen. St. Stephen American Legion Post 221 will pray at 6:30 PM followed by the Parish Prayers at 7:00 PM.
Firmin was born February 3rd, 1932 in St. Stephen to Joseph and Bertha (Pierskalla) Pogatshnik. He served in the US Navy from 1952-1956. Firmin married Mary A. Knettel on November 25th, 1953 in St. Stephen. He was employed for the paper mill in Sartell for 43 years retiring in March of 1992. Firmin was a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church, St. Stephen American Legion Post 221 where he was a charter member and past commander. He was the Mayor of St. Stephen from 1970-1975, member of the St. Stephen City Council from 1982-1986, and a longtime member of the St. Stephen Fire Department. Firmin was on the St. Stephen Parish Council for 4 years and was a Church Trustee for 6 years, and a member of Eagles Aerie # 622.
Survivors include his wife Mary; children, Gerald Pogatshnik (Lee) Richmond, KY, Donna Diederich (Tom) St. Cloud, Dale Pogatshnik (Candy) Onalaska, WI, Patti Haase (Wesley) St. Stephen, Kathy Opatz (Greg) Sartell; grandchildren, Sara Hunsley (Joel), Adam Pogatshnik (Kat), Cory Diederich (Kari), Jamie, Eric, and Sara Aspenson, Kelly Haase-Heinen (Eric), Katie Haase, Tyler, Jacob, and Dustin Opatz; great-grandchildren, Valerie Hunsley, Meghan and Nolan Diederich, and Kennady and Karly Clyne; brothers and sisters, Edwin Pogatshnik, Avon, Bernie Pogatshnik (Maxine) St. Cloud and Betty Pogatshnik, St. Stephen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Reuben Pogatshnik, and sisters, Eleanor, Dorothy, Delphine and Mary Ellen Pogatshnik.
Memorials are preferred.
The family would especially like to thank the staffs at Quiet Oaks Hospice and Coborn Cancer Center for the excellent care provided to Firmin.
Guestbook
Jerry, Lee and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your kind heart will be missed by all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are all better people for knowing Uncle Firmin.
God Bless Uncle Firmin! Your smile will light up Heaven brighter than it did Earth.
Firmin will be missed, he always had a wisecrack for Larry.
Services
Visitation
St. Stephen’s Catholic Church Parish HallServices
St. Stephen Catholic ChurchSchedule Details
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, September 7th at 10:30 AM at St. Stephen Catholic Church in St. Stephen for Firmin M. Pogatshnik, age 80, of St. Stephen, who died on Tuesday at Quiet Oaks Hospice in St. Augusta. Rev. Robert Harren will officiate. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday between 4:00-8:00 PM and on Friday after 9:00 AM at the St. Stephen Parish Hall in St. Stephen. St. Stephen American Legion Post 221 will pray at 6:30 PM followed by the Parish Prayers at 7:00 PM.