Michael Keith “Coach” Pahlen was born June 13, 1948 in Des Plaines, Illinois, the son of R.H. and Donna Pahlen. He was raised in Plummer, and graduated from Pershing High School in Plummer with the class of 1966. As a young man, Mike was active in football, basketball, baseball and swimming, all activities that he maintained a passion for his entire life.
Mike attended Fergus Falls Junior College, where he met the love of his life, Bonnie Froehlich, whom he married on June 28, 1969 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Mike completed his education at Bemidji State University (BSU), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and health; and a Master of Science degree in physical education.
While at Bemidji State, Mike served as assistant coach for the BSU men’s and women’s swimming teams, along with his lifelong friend and mentor, senior coach Lee Ahlbrecht.
Mike and Bonnie moved to Superior, Wis. in 1971, where Mike took over as head coach for the Boy’s swimming and diving team at Superior Senior High School, a role he held for more than 32 years. Mike also served 24 years as the Girl’s head swimming and diving coach, 11 years as the Boy’s head tennis coach, and 32 years as a physical education teacher.
Mike would always share that he loved his work and it was proven time and again with the devotion and admiration from his many students and the awards they won. He took great pride in following the continued accomplishments of all of his kids. Throughout his career, he had 38 Academic All-Americans honored by The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. His teams achieved numerous WIAA, dual meet and Lake Superior Conference championships.
Mike was a member of the WIAA Swimming and Diving Rules Advisory Committee 1998-2001. He was also voted runner-up Wisconsin diving coach of the year in 1999. His most recent honor was induction into the Superior Athletic and Academic Hall of Fame in March of 2008.
While Mike’s love for his work was known to many, those closest to him know that his love for his family was even more evident. Mike and Bonnie were blessed with two beautiful children, Jason Lee in 1972 and Jamie Beth in 1974. He also was the proud grandpa of Emily Paige and Benjamin Michael who he said were first in his heart.
Mike enjoyed the outdoors, spending time hunting deer (both bow and rifle seasons) and turkeys, with his brothers, nephews, and close friends. Mike and Bonnie loved to spend time together waterskiing, riding bike, both single and tandem, golfing, downhill skiing and later traveling and riding his Gold wing motorcycle. After retiring, he found a new past time and talent making beautiful Intarsia wood plaques and puzzles as special gifts for many family and friends.
Mike is survived by wife Bonnie; children, Jason Pahlen, and Jamie (Robert) Hunter both of Superior, Wis.; two grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Penny (Steve) Retzer of Moorhead, Scott (Carolyn) Pahlen of Warroad, Craig (Sandy) Pahlen of Lakeville, and Kathy Barzgari of Fulton, Ill.; aunt Jacqueline (Clayton) Moen of Rochester; uncles, Gary Hofius of Red Lake Falls and Jerry St. Michel of Grand Rapids; mother-in-law, Eleanor Froehlich of Fergus Falls; brother-in-law, Gary (Agnes) Froehlich of Fergus Falls and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and father-in-law, Elmer Froehlich.
The visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 8 (today) at Downs Funeral Home in Superior. The visitation will resume at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service Thursday, at Christ Lutheran Church in Superior. The Reverend David Schoessow, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church will officiate. Casket bearers will be Clayton Moen, Jim Waletzko, Larry Hoff, Rick Thomson, Paul Parish and Ron Orlandi. Honorary pallbearers will be Lee Ahlbrecht and all of Coach’s swimmers and divers.
Interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery, Superior. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Superior Senior High School Scholarship Fund or The Hemologic Malignancy-Multiple Myeloma Fund.
Funeral arrangements are with the Downs Funeral Home in Superior, Wis.
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