Louis R Pottratz

POTTRATZ, LEININGER, HENDRICKS

Posted By: Pat Frette (email)
Date: 1/15/2009 at 11:51:11

Louis (Louie) Robert Pottratz Jr., age 90, of Boone and a resident of the Eastern Star Masonic Home of Boone, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2008 at the Boone County Hospital of Boone.
Louis was born on December 30, 1917 in Marinette, Wisconsin, the son of Louis R. Sr. and Clara (Lippert) Pottratz. He graduated from Marinette High School in 1935 and moved to Boone in 1936 to work for his uncle's at Lippert Brothers Construction Company. On May 20th 1942 he married Dorothy Leininger and they later divorced. They had one child Craig L. Pottratz. Louis was an active and devoted member of the Trinity Lutheran Church most of his life. He served on the board of Trustees, chairman of the Fellowship Club and sang in the choir for over 50 years. Louis was an active member of the Iowa State Guard and in 1944 joined the US Army. He served in the European Theater with the Timber Wolves 104th Infantry during WWII. In 1958 he purchased Lippert Brothers Construction Company and renamed it Boone Construction and Ready Mix. After a long and successful career he retired and sold his company in 1983.
On November 26th, 1974 he married his beloved "Katie" Kathleen Hendricks Leininger. They enjoyed traveling, family, friends and their Vizla dog companions. Louis enjoyed bird hunting, golfing and fishing. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW, served as president for the noon Kiwanis Club and later was a member of the Lions Club. He was a member of the City Board of Adjustments for 12 years, a charter member of the Boone Scenic Valley Railroad, a long time member of the Boone Golf and Country Club and was on the Salvation Army Board.
He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Sr. at an early age, his mother, Clara, his step-father, Martin Donaldson, his step-sister, Ruth Quiett, his daughter-in-law, Donna Pottratz and brother-in-law, Charles Hendricks.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Kathleen of Boone, IA., son, Craig Pottratz and wife Susan of Boone, IA., step-son, David Leininger and wife Charlotte of Bentonville, AR., sister-in-law, Dorthea Hendricks of Boone, IA., 3 grandchildren, Jill Accardo (Paul) of Oswego, IL., Joy Eldridge (Mark) of Spirit Lake, IA., Dan Pottratz (Ruth) of Ankeny, IA., 1 step-grandson, Spencer Leininger of Bentonville, AR., 7 great grandchildren, Colleen and Claire Accardo of Oswego, IL., Jeremiah and Jonah Eldridge of Spirit Lake, IA., Atticus, Axel, and Magnus Pottratz of Ankeny, IA.
His body has been cremated. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 29, at Trinity Lutheran Church at 12th & Boone Streets in Boone. Rev. Lindsay Watkins will officiate. Burial will be in the Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone. Full military honors and presentation of the US Flag will be conducted at the graveside by the Boone Veterans Council.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 28, at the Walter ~ Schroeder Funeral Home at Fifth & Story Streets in Boone from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Family will be present from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday at the church from 8:30 a.m. to the time of service.
The family request in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Walter ~ Schroeder Funeral Home at Fifth & Story Streets in Boone is handling the arrangements.
Boone News Republican