Bryan Pohlen

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Obituary

Bryan Pohlen, 61, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 10:30 Saturday, November 25, at RiverTree Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7:00 PM at RiverTree Church with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Master Sergeant, Bryan Keith Pohlen was born on October 31, 1962, in Canby, Minnesota to Magnus and Agnes (Haag) Pohlen. Bryan was a proud Canby Lancer where he graduated in 1982. Bryan was raised on his parents’ farm near St. Leo, Minnesota and was the youngest of seven children. His siblings include Bill, Mary, Bob, Donna, Ben and Karen. Bryan entered the military at the young age of 19 and was stationed in both Germany and Texas. Upon the death of his father, Bryan returned home to be close to family and enrolled in the Diesel Mechanic course at Southwestern Vocational Technical Institute in Canby, MN, where he graduated in 1986. It was here that he met the love of his life, Carrie Pohlen (Dyer). They enjoyed 36 years together, where they brought three wonderful children into the world: Jacob, Cody, and Cassidy. Bryan was a faithful servant, devoted husband, supportive father and Big Papa to 7 (soon to be 8) grandchildren.

His military career started in October of 1981 attending basic training at Ft Jackson, SC and AIT in Ft Knox KY. He then continued on to 3 years of active duty in the army. His first active duty unit was the 3/35th Armor BN of the 1ST Armored Division in Bamberg, Germany. Soon after, he was transferred to 1/9 Cav 1st Calvary Division, Ft Hood, TX. He left active duty in October 1984 and joined the Minnesota NG’s 1/175th FA. In 1987 he married a South Dakota girl and transferred to the 109th Group in Rapid City. In 1989, he accepted employment as a military technician in Mitchell and transferred to Co C 153 En Bn in Parkston where he attended Annual Training events in Germany, Panama, and Jamaica. Bryan deployed to Iraq with the 153rd in 2004-2005 where he had the honor of being MTR SGT. After a year’s stint with Det 3 665th in Sioux Falls, he was selected in November of 2007 to be the very first 1SG of the newly formed 147th FSC. This type of unit never existed before and he helped establish the Forward Support Company using the new Army Modular Concept. He deployed once again, but this time with the 147th FA where he served as the Mayor Cell NCOIC at Kuwait Naval Base.

Bryan’s natural desire to care for others and innate ability to lead were his life’s purpose. He was the most loving, loyal, dedicated, well-spoken man you could have met. He touched many people's lives with his time in the Army National Guard, as a member and president of the Mount Vernon School Board, as a school bus driver, as a Youth Sponsor for nearly 25 years and as a Pastor at RiverTree Church. It was at church where his true nature, to intimately care and love people really shined. This is what “filled his bucket”. And he truly loved and cared deeply for everyone he knew.

He and Carrie recently began traveling with Vantage Point Solutions. They had a very special time being side by side for the past several months both working and touring in Michigan. They also were able to officiate several weddings including one in Zion National Park, which was truly one of his highest goals.

When Bryan wasn’t at work, he was on a date with his wife, working on remodeling another house, cheering on the Vikings, collecting Jeep and Grain Belt memorabilia, finding anything with a motor to restore, and his secret love, shopping for tires!

Bryan is survived by his wife, Carrie (Dyer) Pohlen of Mitchell, SD; sons, Jacob (Kaylee) Pohlen of Mitchell, SD and Cody (Brittney) Pohlen of Milbank, SD; daughter, Cassidy (Luke) Hof of Madison, SD; grandchildren: Ryen, Amelia, Cora, Remington, Harper, Makenna, Atticus, and a new grandbaby on the way; and his siblings, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Magnus, mother Agnes, his sister Mary, and his brother Ben.

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