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Ethel Louise (Kuhlman) Pounds was born on Sept. 6, 1945, to Frederick and Roberta (Clough) Kuhlman in Des Moines. Ethel left this earth on Sept. 14, 2026, at 81 years of age.
Ethel grew up in Storm Lake, including graduating from Storm Lake High School in 1964. She loved riding horses with her friend Barb, fishing and most of all, the numerous family gatherings where she could spend time with cousins Candy and Susan along with the rest of the family.
In young adult life, Ethel married Hal Carmack, where she enjoyed entertaining people with her musical talent on the drums. A second marriage to Richard White brought her son Tim, who she adored and bragged about every chance she could. Ethel not only showed love and compassion to her family, but went on to graduate from Cherokee School for Practical Nursing becoming an LPN. She spent years as an LPN and working on the EMS crew. Ethel went back to school to obtain her BA in social work. This once again showed Ethel’s genuine heart and her compassion for helping others.
Ethel’s love for the Lord showed every day in her character. She took any opportunity to help those who needed it. Later in life, Ethel married Norman Pounds, where she welcomed his five children in the process. Ethel did not hesitate to step into the role of mom for the youngest of those children, Darrel.
The church family in Newell was important to her and she cherished pastor Tim. As age began to limit her ability to go to church, Ethel enjoyed listening to her husband Norm preach in online church services. This connection led them to develop a special bond with Chris and Brad from Ohio.
While in care center, she and Norm enjoyed listening to audiobooks together. After Norm’s passing, Ethel kept her vitality for life going. She played Bingo, participated in the grandparent program and enjoyed the visits with animals. Ethel’s family was able to witness the lasting effect she has on those around her as they watched staff at the care center come in one by one to say their goodbyes to her. They called her momma. Each staff member had a story to tell of her kindness and… orneriness. Everything from teasing them to singing along even if it was the wrong words. She embodies the words “lead by example.”
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bob Kuhlman and Fred Kuhlman; husband Norm; stepdaughter Beth; stepson Bryan; and many aunts, uncles and beloved cousins.
Ethel is survived by her son Tim White; stepson Darrel Pounds; stepdaughter Gayle (Rick) Barnett; stepdaughter Diane (Zac) Fox; and many grandchildren, cousins and those she adopted along the way.
