Obituaries

Myrtle Gladys Poier, 96, longtime resident of Fremont, died on September 26 at home surrounded by loving family.

Myrtle was born on September 13, 1920 in Poplar, Montana to Edwin and Ida Halgrimson. The family moved to Leeds, North Dakota, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. Her father was a farmer and her mother raised six children: four boys- Harold, Art, Kenny and Charlie and two girls- Myrtle and Ruth- all of whom graduated from college. Myrtle earned her teaching degree at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and was also a soloist in the Concordia College Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Paul J. Christianson. She met Harold Poier there and they were married on June 19, 1943 in Leeds. They moved to Mayville, North Dakota where they lived with their three children- Anne, Keith and Becky. Myrtle taught for 5 years in Minnesota and North Dakota.

In 1954, they moved to California and settled in Fremont where they were both educators. Myrtle taught 7th and 8th grade English for 24 years at Centerville Junior High School. Her devotion to her students and high expectations for them can be seen in her many years of sponsorship of the California Junior Scholarship Federation and the Young Authors Contest. Myrtle always inspired her students to have high ideals and to care for others. Her principal told Myrtle that she was “Teacher of the Year” every year!

Myrtle taught Sunday school, bible school and directed the church junior choir for many years. She was also active in ALCW, ladies circle, Daytimer’s bible study, and sang in the adult choir.

Myrtle loved her family more than anything. She created a beautiful home full of love and joy, with lots of delicious food, music, and Norwegian and German traditions. Favorites of the whole family are Norwegian meatballs, lefse and perhay. Her children remember a house filled with the smell of homemade bread baking in the oven and cinnamon rolls with lots of butter! Myrtle and Harold enjoyed taking the family to concerts, musicals, baseball games and days at the beach.

At home, singing around the piano and playing “Eights” were things she loved to do with her family. Her Sunday dinners of chicken and roast beef were beyond compare! She and Harold were married for 57 years, centering their lives on family, work and church. Her beloved Harold died in the year 2000. During the sixteen years after his death, until the age of 95 she was still traveling across the country visiting family, attending graduations, weddings and other family events, always there to support and share in family celebrations and daily life. She lived a beautiful life that touched many lives.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her brothers Harold, Art, Charlie and her husband Harold. She is survived by her brother Kenny Halgrimson of Euclaire, WI, and sister Ruth Eidbo of Walnut Creek, CA., her daughters Anne Bjornson and Becky (Roy) Dahlinger and son Keith (Vicki) Poier, her grand-children Heidi (Andrew) Bjornson-Pennell, Ethan (Sarah) Hipple, Kori (Jeremy) Holtmeier, Kati (Jeremy) Berg, Rebeka (Billy) Denson, Levi (Amy) Poier, Blake (Natalie Loera) Dahlinger, Rachel (Alastair) Lawson and Sarah Dahlinger and her great-grandchildren Ben, Isabella, Nickolas, Jackson, Tasha, Kate, Luke, Ian and Thea.

The “Celebration of Life” service will be held on Monday, October 17th at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 38801 Blacow Rd., Fremont, CA, 94536. The viewing will be at 11:30 a.m. with the service following at 12:30 p.m. A grave-site service will be at 2:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes on Mission Blvd. in Hayward. There will be a light meal served at Holy Trinity from 4:00 – 5:30.

Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.