Olan Wesley Pottorff 1918-2009

POTTORFF MARKER PETERSEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/31/2009 at 14:27:34

Mapleton Press
6 August 2009

Olan Wesley Pottorff was born May 8, 1918 at Mansville, Wyoming, the son of Leonard and Dolly (Marker) Pottorff. He passed away on July 28, 2009 at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, Iowa.

Shorty moved with his family to Fort Scott, Kansas and later to Remsen, Iowa at the age of 14. He was then on his own and found work and friendship. While working for the REC he met Lois Petersen of Pierson, Iowa. They were married June 11, 1941. They moved to Ute, Iowa in 1966 and on to Moorhead in 1984.

Shorty’s life’s work was in farming. He was skilled at Operating a large hog operation. He also did a great deal of custom bailing in later years he mowed numerous lawns in the community.

Over the years, Shorty was faithful to his church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Ute. He was also a dedicated member of the church dart ball team.

He would often take in children of family members for extended periods of time when they needed help. He was a generous man, known for never turning down anyone that was in need.

Hobbies he enjoyed included almost any woodworking project that he enjoyed sharing with family and friends especially at Christmas time.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ute, Iowa, with Pastor Ed Brandt officiating. The message in music included Congregational hymns “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Rock of Ages” and “Amazing Grace”. Creta Teut was the organist.

Pallbearers were Josh Beeck, Christopher Beeck, Dylan Beeck, Connor Beeck, Michael Schelm, Nicholas Schelm, Bryan Pottorff andBryan Ruffcorn. Honorary pallbearers included Kimberly Ruffcorn, Brenda Dungun, Samantha Isaac, Weslkey Potterff, Heather Stamps, Brandon Crippen and Kylke Pottorff.

Visitation was held on Friday, July 31, 2009 beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. a Armstrong Funeral Home in Ute, Iowa. Interment was in St Clair Cemetery, Ute, Iowa.

Survivors include, Lois, his wife of 68 years, five children, Judy Gimbel and her husband Harvey of Onawa, Iowa, Candice Crippen and her husband Doug of VanBuren, Arkansas, Karleen Beeck and her husband Steve of Charter Oak, Iowa, Mark Potterff and his wife Karen of Mulberry, Arkansas, and Laramay Adams and her husband Jim of Alma, Arkansas, 14 grandchildren; 123 great grandchildren and three great grandchildren on the way; and three sisters, Dorothy Hovey and her husband Harlan of Nevada, Michigan, Grace Hill of Fort Scott, Kansas and Bertha Toby of Oraville, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son Dennis Pottorff; one great grandson, Riley Beeck; one brother, Calvin Pottorff and two sisters Vera Ogren and Iva Bly.

Armstrong Funeral Services was in charge of the arrangements