TOMAH- Darryl Carl Pokela, age 79, of Tomah, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Our Town Tomah Assisted Living. He was born on July 13th, 1945 to Carl and Agnes (Hill) Pokela. He grew up on his family’s farm in Tripoli Wisconsin. His first job was milking cows for what he referred to as “date money.” He spent his free-time playing sports, hunting, and tormenting his two sisters, JoAn and Wendy.
Darryl graduated from Tripoli High School in 1963 where he excelled in athletics, specifically as a dominant right-handed pitcher on the baseball diamond, and a “pure shooting” guard on the basketball court. He made claims to have averaged 18 points a game in basketball, and never failed to let his son know that it would have been many more had there been a 3-point line back then.
After High School, Darryl attended UW Superior where he was a member of the TKE fraternity. He was called away to the army two years later and was deployed to Korea. He returned two years afterward and finished his degree, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
After graduation he moved to Milwaukee and spent a short period of time as a salesperson before moving to Wyeville and ultimately Tomah in 1972. Darryl worked for the plastics factory, Van Pack, in Tomah for over 30 years, retiring in 2002.
Darryl married Patricia (McMahon) Radke in 1998. They spent 26 wonderful years together traveling to places like Puerto Vallarta Mexico, Sanibel Island Florida, Bullhead City Arizona, and many Northern Wisconsin four-wheeling, and fishing destinations. To know them together, one would agree that the destination never really mattered for Darryl and Pat, it was always about the company they were with, and the people they would meet along the way.
In his free time, you could usually find Darryl on the golf course, or on his favorite barstool in the club house. He was a fixture at Hiawatha Golf Club for many years, always greeting friend or stranger with a smile and a welcome.
Darryl also enjoyed attending his grandkid’s sporting events and activities, always offering a supportive hug and a high-five regardless of the outcome.
To say Darryl was a kind and positive person would be a gross understatement. He was truly one of the most warmhearted and loving individuals one could ever know. He found real joy in making others happy, and his spirit was contagious. To Darryl a perfect day would be spent with family and friends and engaging in conversation with someone he didn’t yet know, probably over a “toddy” or two.
Darryl lost his battle with Dementia and Parkinsons in the early hours of September 4th 2024. Even when the end was near and consciousness was waning, the young girls at Our Town Tomah would wake him for his medication, and his first words would always be, “hi sweety”! The day before he passed someone asked him how he was doing, and his response was (those of you who know him, already know)- “better than perfect.” Even in the end, he brought joy to those around him.
Darryl is survived by his loving wife of 26 years Pat, his son Matt (Christine) Pokela, his step-son Johnny (Amy) Radke, his step-daughter Michelle (Kevin) Rothwell and his 7 grandchildren, sisters, JoAn Carpenter, Wendy (Dennis) Mannering, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Please join us in celebrating the life of Darryl Pokela on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 3:30 to 5:30 at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah Wisconsin, and at the Hiawatha Golf Club afterward. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
