Mike Charles Pohl

Mike Pohl, age 56 of St. Paul, MN, died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 30th, 2017 when his heart stopped while riding his off-road motorcycle with friends.

Mike was born May 1, 1961 in Bemidji to Don and Janet Pohl. He graduated from Bemidji High School and the University of North Dakota, where he was president of the Sigma Nu fraternity and the Interfraternity Council. He married Kristi Hanson in Bemidji on September 12th, 1987. He spent fifteen years as an insurance salesman and sales trainer for David Kane & Associates. In 1996, he and Kristi opened ACES Flight Simulation which grew after 8 years and moved to the Mall of America where they operated it for an additional 13 years. Mike also developed STEMulation Learning Systems, which provides flight simulator labs for high school STEM programs.

Mike embraced life like few others. He was passionate about his family, his motorcycles, his business, all things mechanical and electronic, history, politics, philosophy, photography, music, skiing, and having fun. But mostly he loved to interact with people from all walks of life and loved hearing their stories and interests.

He is survived by his beloved wife and partner, Kristi, and son Charlie of Duluth, MN; father Don of Bemidji; brothers John (Mary) of Lake Forest, IL, and Bob of Bemidji; father and mother-in-law Dave & Diane Hanson; brother-in-law Kelly (Angie) Hanson, sister-in-law Heather Hanson, all of Bemidji; nephews Max Pohl of Jinhua, China, Kaleb (Emma) Hanson and Riley Hanson of Bemidji; and nieces Elizabeth Pohl of Chicago, IL and Savannah Hanson of Bemidji. He is also survived by his “second family” of fellow off-road motorcycle enthusiasts and a fantastic group of friends from high school & college who have blessed his life with boundless camaraderie and joy.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Janet.

There will be a memorial for Mike on Saturday, October 28th in Bemidji from 2- 6 pm at the Elks Club (the same place as our wedding reception 30 years ago). We are going to celebrate him with cocktails, a tribute beginning at 3 pm, story sharing and laughter and food until 6 pm (and longer if we want to!). Please bring photos and stories and memories to share. The Elks Club is located at 116 4th St. NW in downtown Bemidji.

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