Francis Joseph Pohs

Frank Pohs, age 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 26, 2025, joining his wife June.

He is survived by his children, Ann Pohs, Michael Pohs (Eileen), Kathleen Morroni (Greg): his grandchildren, Christopher Pohs, Katie Pohs, Lauren Pohs, Patrick Pohs, Megan Pohs, and Mary-Joy Morroni. Frank was preceded in death by his wife June (Penberthy) Pohs, brother Henry Pohs, sister Clara “Dolly” Ansay, brother-in-law Ron Ansay and brother-in-law Jesse Penberthy, parents Henry and Clara Pohs, nephew Gregory Pohs, nephew Jerome Penberthy, grandsons Joseph Pohs and Ryan Pohs, and grandchild Christian Morroni. A large extended family of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews also survive him.

Francis Joseph Pohs was born on September 18, 1930, in Denver Colorado to Henry and Clara Pohs (Sedlmayer). Frank grew up in the house that his father, Henry M. Pohs built by hand, in north Denver, just south of 46th and Quitman Street with his mother Clara Pohs, brother Henry A. Pohs and sister Clara E. “Dolly” Pohs, (Later to be Dolly Ansay). His family of German heritage was Roman Catholic and was heavily involved in Holy Family Parish. In fact, his father was involved in building the school. He attended Holy Family Parish School all 12 years, was class president during his senior year, and graduated in 1948. In his youth Frank played baseball all the way through high school and worked at neighborhood grocery stores and did various jobs for neighbors in the north Denver area. During his senior year of high school his father passed away. After high school he continued to work to help financially support his family.

In 1951, he was drafted into the United States Army. He attended Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and was chosen for advanced schooling in Topographical Surveying. He attended the US Army Engineer School at Fort Belvoir in Virginia after which he was deployed to Korea with the 44th Combat Engineering Battalion. He was honorably discharged in 1953.

After returning from Korea, he continued working in grocery stores and also worked at Gardner-Denver. In 1954 he joined the Denver Fire Department and started his firefighter career. He worked at several fire stations including North Denver, Five-Points, Downtown, and ended up at Stapleton Airport, driving the biggest airport firetruck of that era. He worked with the Denver Fire Department for over 30 years and retired as an Engineer. He loved being an Engineer and enjoyed every minute as a firefighter.

On June 4, 1960, Frank married the love of his life, June Lois Penberthy, in a small Catholic church in Evergreen Colorado. June hailed from a small farming town, Lisbon, North Dakota. She left North Dakota to pursue a career in nursing and ended up working in Denver where she met Frank.

Frank built a house in north Denver near 33rd and Wolff Street where he and June lived for over 30 years. Frank and June had three Children, Ann, Michael and Kathleen (Morroni). All attended, Catholic grade schools and Holy Family High School. Later he and June moved to Wheat Ridge, still on 33rd Avenue. They shared 51 wonderful years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling the world together, participated in the Bolder Boulder every year, enjoyed the mountains, daily walks, and getting together with many friends and family.

Frank volunteered at Lutheran Medical Center / Hospital – for over 16 years. He was a lifelong avid gardener/farmer, and the consummate handyman. He enjoyed stamp collecting, playing cards, and loved going to his grandchildren’s sporting and school events. He was a Cub Scout Pack Master, sang in a German singing group, and was a member of the Denver Kickers German Club. He was on the Denver Fire Department Credit Union Board and Advisory Committee for many years. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, and enjoyed hiking, golfing and woodworking.

Memorial donations may be made to one of the following organizations, please click on the organization and you'll be directed to the site:

Little Sisters of the Poor

Retired Denver Catholic Priests

The Jesuits