Stanley “Stan” Pomberg, 98, of West Point, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at Southeast Iowa Regional Home Health and Hospice in West Burlington, Iowa.
He was born on February 3, 1928, in Ft Madison, Iowa, the son of John and Marie (Manegold) Pomberg. On October 22, 1949, he married Rita Grimwood in Fort Madison, Iowa. Together, they settled on the family farm near West Point, where they raised their three sons and two daughters. His father passed away when Stan was eight years old. Despite this early loss, Stan grew up with a strong work ethic and a deep connection to farming. He began farming at age fifteen and dedicated his life to the land and the agricultural community.
Stan was an active member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, the St. Mary’s Parish Council, and the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree. He was instrumental, along with several others, in establishing an LC Cooperative in southeastern Iowa that benefited many farmers throughout Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri which he was president for nineteen years. Stan with nine other farmers established the Southeastern Iowa Feeder Pig Association in Farmington Iowa. They traveled to Ireland to bring back Large White hogs, a new breed that was flown to New York and transported to the association. He also served for several years on the Lee County Farm Bureau Board and was involved with the Lee County Pork Producers and Lee County Soybean Association. Stan and others from the community established the West Point Care Center in the early 1970s. Stan’s passion for farming was unmatched, using conservation practices such as pattern tiling, terraces, and buffer strips. In addition to raising hogs, they maintained a dairy herd of Holstein cows and sold Grade A milk for twenty years. They also raised calves, mowed hay, and grew corn and soybeans.
Throughout his life, Stan remained focused on two things that meant the most to him: caring for his family and preserving his farming legacy being awarded a Century Farm by Farm Bureau in 2011. He took pride in everything he did, especially preparing for harvest. The combine were always clean and ready for the fields, every piece of equipment was checked and greased, and nothing was ever left out in the rain. Even older machinery was maintained to run like new. Stan made sure everything was ready when it was time to get to work.
Farming was more than a livelihood to Stan; it was what he loved. When he wasn't in the fields, he was watching the weather, checking forecasts, and hoping conditions would hold for productive harvest days. In 2025, although Stan no longer drove the combine, he was still out in the farmyard watching John and Larry work, making sure everything was done right.
Life on the farm will never be quite the same without Stan. Each Fall, a part of him will remain in the fields, in the pride he took in his work, the care he gave to the land, and the love he showed by always being there to support his family. His dedication and example will continue to be part of the family farming tradition for generations to come.
Stan and Rita did a lot of traveling in the United States including Japan, South Korea, Australia, England, Germany, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil and multiple cruises. In their later years, they enjoyed spending a month in Yuma, Arizona during the winter.
Those left to cherish Stan’s memory are his five children: Larry Pomberg and John (Lisa) Pomberg, both of West Point; Linda Ketcham of Marshalltown, Iowa; Linette (John) Boden of Norwalk, Iowa; and Wayne (Angela) Pomberg of Kingwood, Texas.
He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren: Jeremy Pomberg, Logan Pomberg, Yolanda (Joe) Aring, Robin Pomberg, Dawn Quick, Tyler Pomberg, Mikayla Pomberg, Mike Ketcham, Mark (Natalie) Ketcham, Stephanie (Jason) Adamoyurka, Nathan (Krystal) Boden, Maria (Dakota) Kittle, Andrew (Hilary) Boden, and Daniel Boden; as well as thirteen great-grandchildren: Trevor (fiancée Emma), Derek (Tarryn) Ketcham, Makenzie and Lexi Ketcham, Zoey, Jack, Cole, and Rita Adamoyurka, Wyatt Boden, Isabelle and Elijah Boden, and Elizabeth and Catherine Quick.
Stan was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 74 years, Rita; his parents, John and Marie; his son-in-law, John Ketcham; and his granddaughter, Kerri Ketcham.
A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. with a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 22, 2026 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in West point.
Memorials has been established in his memory for St. Mary’s Catholic Church or West Point Fire & Rescue.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
