Otto Leonard Pohl

Otto Leonard Pohl, age 98 of Little Falls, MN formerly of the Pine River and the Pequot Lakes area, passed away peacefully, Sunday, July 22, 2012, at his home at Bridgeway Estates in Little Falls, MN. Otto was born June 15, 1914 in McHenry, ND to the late John W. and Anna (Boxegaard) Scott. His family moved to Minnesota where he grew up working on neighboring farms. Otto then found his life time passion working in the logging and mill industry. He worked as a machinist and sawyer all over Minnesota at various sawmills and camps in the sawmill industry for 80 years, from the Gunflint Trail to Willmar, MN. He built his last sawmill in Outing, MN at the age of 83 years. Otto served in the United States Army in 1941. He then returned home and married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Krieger, on October 8, 1944. The couple adopted one daughter, Rebecca. Otto's fun times were going fishing and going out to eat. He knew of every great restaurant for miles around. He was the family storyteller and history teacher, always having a story and sharing his many pictures of the past. Otto is survived by his daughter, Rebecca (Joseph) Kestner of Swanville, MN; grandchildren, Tina (Samuel) Yorek of Rice, MN, Bonnie Shields of Swanville, MN, and great-grandson, Evan; step-grandchildren, Melissa Kestner, Patricia Shields, William Shields, Joey Fritz, Jenny Shields, Jerry Shields, step-great-grandchildren, Kiah, Kyra, Dakota, Shawna, Ashely, Cassandra, William, Jr., T.J., Gene, Barron, Nevin, Hunter, Ciarra, Chase, Beau; nine step-great-great grandchildren; special friends Otto called his "sons" Morris Olson, Roger Langenbau, Gerald Paulson and Vernon Shields; his companion dog, "Sammer". Otto has joined his wife, Helen, who passed away in April of 1998. In Otto's memory in lieu of flowers, family requests you plant a Norway Pine Tree of your own.