Terry L. Pooley, 71
Terry L. Pooley
Janesville Terry L. Pooley, age 71, of Janesville died peacefully on Monday morning, March 25, 2019 at Hillcrest Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.
Funeral Service was 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, at Faith Lutheran Church in Janesville, Pastor Kris Anderson officiated. Interment was in Janesville Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Janesville Area Foundation.
Terry Lee Pooley was born on Dec. 22, 1947, to Wilbur and Dolly (Hart) Pooley in Fairmont. He grew up in Blue Earth and attended Blue Earth High School, where his love for wrestling began, graduating with the class of 1965. Terry continued his education at Mankato State College as a Math Major. While going to school, Terry worked at Continental Canning Company in Mankato before going into business with his father and brothers at Mankato Iron and Metal. He later started his own metal recycling company in 1992, Central Trading and Recycling in New Richland and retired after 22 years.
While attending Mankato State College, Terry caught the eye of Arlene Ruter, due to his infectious laugh, and they were later united in marriage on Aug. 7, 1971, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Together they made their home in Janesville where they were blessed with two children. Throughout his life Terry was active in the community from the moment they moved to Janesville. He was an active member of Janesville Jaycees, serving in many capacities and levels of the organization. Terry coached softball for many years where his teams placed as high as second in the nation. Terry served on the Prairie Ridge Golf Course Development Committee, Janesville Utilities Board, School Board and Janesville Fire Department for 20 years. He was a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church in Janesville where he served as church council president and was an integral part of building the new church. At a young age, Terry developed a passion for wrestling, excelling at the High School level and competing for a short time in College. Along with Arlene, he would travel the country attending the NCAA National Wrestling Tournaments and volunteer at various high school and elementary wrestling tournaments. Later in life he gave back to the community by purchasing land to build one level patio homes and twin homes, and most recently started a donor advised fund for the Janesville Area Foundation. Above all else his family and community meant the world to him. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Arlene; children, Angie (Tom) Kaphers, of New Hope and Ben (Marnie) Pooley, of Hillsboro, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Savannah and Gable Pooley; siblings, Dick (Shirley) Pooley, of Fairmont, Ron Pooley, of Mankato, Greg Pooley (Beth), of Mankato, Doug (Glenda) Pooley, of Roseville, Susan (Jim) Pirsig, of Dilworth, and Lisa (Dan) Gauper, of Bloomington; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Katherine (Lyndon) Sonju, of Golden Valley, John (Paula) Ruter, of Safety Harbor, Florida, and Les Holm of Sartell; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Olga and John Ruter; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gerald Ruter, Karen Holm, Janet (Mike) Gravel, and Larry Anderson.