Theresa (Terry) F. Pohja

Theresa (Terry) F. Pohja, age 85 of Onalaska, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Terry was born on January 31, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, the daughter of Leo and Rose Hanson. She married Lawrence (Larry) Pohja on September 1, 1962, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They started their married life together in Hawaii when Larry was stationed there. After leaving Hawaii they built their life in Onalaska where they also started their family. She raised two wonderful daughters and was an amazing grandmother to four grandchildren. Terry was an active and supportive grandma and spent time at many parades, dance recitals, and basketball and la crosse games with her grandkids.

Terry worked at Kwik Trip when Kwik trip was just getting started in La Crosse. She worked as the office manager for over 20 years after Kwik Trip moved into their present location. Her work there led to valued lifelong friendships.

She especially loved the beach and vacations to the ocean with Larry and her family. Terry was an avid reader and belonged to The Friends of the Onalaska Library for many years, many of which were as president and secretary. She was a coffee lover, and you could always find a Moka or Caribou coffee cup in her kitchen. Terry enjoyed word games and was unbeatable at Scrabble, and she and Larry played Wordle together. She was a long-time member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Lawrence (Larry) Pohja; daughters, Kathy (David) Olson and Kris (Chad) Fey; grandchildren, Jennifer Olson, Sara Olson, Matthew Fey, and Alex Fey; and brother, William (Nadine) Hanson.

Preceding Terry in death are her parents, Leo and Rose.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 10:30 am, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1031 Main St., Onalaska, WI, 54650. Msgr. Steven Kachel will officiate. Visitation will take place on Saturday beginning at 9:30 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow the Mass at Onalaska City Cemetery. Lunch will be served at St. Patrick’s after the burial.

Memorial donations in Terry’s memory may be directed to the National MS Society of Wisconsin.