Kaylene Mary Pofahl, 63, passed away on Oct. 1, 2024, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. She passed away peacefully with her loved ones at her side.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD. Visitation will be held the night prior from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society in Kaylene’s name.
Kaylene Mary Thomas was born in Estherville, IA, on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 1960, to William and Mary Thomas. After graduating Estherville High School in 1979, she moved to Clear Lake, IA, to earn her Cosmetology degree at La James College in Mason City, IA, and work as a hair stylist. While living in Clear Lake she met her future husband Steve, who recalls:
“We were part of separate groups tubing on a river in Wisconsin. While floating down the river I noticed a pretty girl having problems with a leak in her tube; seeing a damsel in distress, I paddled over and offered to make room in my tube so she could finish the voyage. She agreed, and we were married exactly 5 months later to the day.”
Kaylene and Steve were married in Estherville, IA, on Jan. 16, 1982. Together they lived and worked in Mound, MN, Arvada, CO, and East Windsor, CT, before finally settling in Sioux Falls, SD in 1989. There Kaylene paused her cosmetology career to raise her two children, Shelby and Thomas, and volunteer at Sioux Falls Lutheran School. In 2012 she and Steve moved to their lake home on Lake Poinsett, and opened her successful men’s hair salon Thomas & Company in Brookings. The couple ultimately moved to Brookings in 2016.
Kaylene was kind, compassionate, and caring. She was a true ‘people person’ who was dearly loved and will be missed by her family, friends, and clients. She especially loved children had a special place in her heart for her granddaughter Emma, her “goofy goof”. She loved to travel, especially in her motorhome but also abroad. She was also fond of outdoor activities including fishing, tennis, and working in her yard. Her love of life and family carried her through this journey and inspired us all.
She is survived by her husband Steve Pofahl (Brookings, SD); daughter Shelby (Derek) Beilke (Rochester, MN), son Thomas Pofahl (Sioux Falls, SD), granddaughter Emma Beilke; mother Mary Thomas (Estherville, IA); sister Judith (Richard) Crosby (Pavo, GA); and brother Steven (Jan) Thomas (Georgetown, TX). She is preceded by her father William Thomas (Estherville, IA).
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
