Emma Poffenbarger

Funeral services for Emma Poffenbarger, 90, of Knoxville, will be held
Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home
in Knoxville. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. A luncheon will
be held at the funeral home following the burial for a time of continued
fellowship.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 15, from 4:00 until 6:00
p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Knoxville First
United Methodist Church Capital Campaign, where Em was an active and
longtime member.
Emma Louise was born August 31, 1935, in Tracy, Iowa, to Dal and
Blanche (Calvert) Kline. She grew up alongside her siblings, Doris, Jeff,
Skip, Jerry, Lin, and Betty. The family lived near Tracy, Bussey, and Attica
before settling just southwest of Knoxville. Em graduated from Knoxville
High School in 1952. Em worked for the Knoxville VA for several years until
she was promoted to the most important job of mother.
Em was united in marriage to the love of her life, Dwight Poffenbarger, in
1956. Together they built a life on the farm, working side by side and raising
their family. After the boys – Bryan and Mike were born, she was Mom and
full-time farm wife.
Em was the kind of woman who simply never stopped. She worked hard
every single day, helping with hogs, tending to chores, and working in the
fields, all while keeping the house running. No matter how busy life was,
she always made sure her family was taken care of.
She was known for her cooking, and anyone who ever worked alongside
the family looked forward to her meals during planting and harvest. But
what meant the most to Em was not the work itself, it was who she was
doing it for. Her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, her
sisters, and all of her nieces and nephews were the center of her world.
She showed her love in the way she lived, by being there, by helping, by
giving whatever she had without hesitation.
For many years, Em served as a leader of the Friendly Guys and Gals 4-H
Club, and she took pride in teaching and encouraging others. She loved
gardening, especially her flowers, and she never missed a Hawkeye
football or basketball game. She also enjoyed traveling, with memorable
trips to Mackinac Island and Branson. But no matter where she went, home
and family were always what mattered most.
After Dwight passed away in 1994, it was a tremendous loss, but Em kept
going with the same strength she had always shown. She leaned into her
family even more, always making time for her grandchildren and later her
great grandchildren. Whether it was a visit, a meal, or simply being there
when she was needed, she never missed a chance to show up for them.
Em passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 12, 2026. She
was preceded in death by her parents, Dal and Blanche Kline; her
husband, Dwight Poffenbarger; and her siblings, Doris Williams, Jeff Kline,
Skip Kline, and Jerry Kline.
She will be deeply missed by her sons, Bryan (Melissa) Poffenbarger and
Mike Poffenbarger; her grandchildren, Seth (Brianna) Poffenbarger, Bryce
(Staci) Poffenbarger, and Travis (Haley) Poffenbarger; her great
grandchildren, Addison, Harper, Braxton, Rylyn, Lainey, and Baby P on the
way; her sisters, Lin Williams and Betty McRoberts; and many nieces,
nephews, relatives, and friends.
Em’s life was defined by hard work and devotion to her family. She gave
her time, her energy, and her heart to those she loved, and because of that,
her legacy will live on in each of them.