Eloise O. Pohlad

Remembering Mary Eloise O’Rourke Pohlad
January 26, 1917 – November 20, 2003

Born the youngest of 10 children in a fiercely Irish Catholic family, Mary Eloise O’Rourke Pohlad learned a deep devotion to family and faith at an early age. As the youngest child, Eloise received plenty of attention from her family – especially older sisters Dorothy and Eleanor, whose quiet and graceful personalities were formative for her. The Catholic faith would also play a central role in her life, reinforcing her family’s interest in caring for the poor and serving others. (Eloise’s grandfather helped found the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Dubuque and her father served as an elected alderman of the city.)

Eloise’s marriage in 1947 to Carl Ray Pohlad came after a short courtship. During their successful 56-year partnership, Eloise focused her love on her husband and three sons. Her skills in organizing events, which she initially learned as a volunteer leader of her high-school social club, would prove important to Carl’s successful and growing business.

A few months after her death, Eloise was remembered and honored by her family with a special grant from the family foundation to the St. Paul, Minnesota-based Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries Foundation – the last charitable organization in which she was personally active. The Sisters’ connection to the Catholic faith and the respectful way they interacted with families in need exemplified the loving, giving manner in which Eloise lived her life.

Eloise’s graciousness, which she extended to everyone she met, remains the most vivid impression of those who knew her. Family members are forever grateful for the unfailing love and devotion she provided. She is greatly missed.