Obit: Potter, Raymond J. (1923 – 2000)
Contact: Ken Wood.

----Surnames: Potter, Hogan, Moorehead, Ringquist, Freund, Van Ert, Lyall

----Source: Daily Tribune (Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County, Wis.) Tues., 22 Feb. 2000

Potter, Raymond J. (1 Nov. 1923 – 19 Feb. 2000)

Raymond J. Potter, 76, of 610 13th St., S., Wisconsin Rapids, died the morning of Sat. Feb. 19, 2000, at Riverview Hospital.

Services were today at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Thee Rev. John Hogan officiated. Burial was in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites by the Buckley-Baldwin Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 2534.

Mr. Potter was born Nov. 1, 1923, in Greenwood, to Homer and Loretta (Moorehead) Potter. He married Betty Ann Ringquist in Spencer on Sept. 10, 1949.

Mr. Potter lived most of his life in Wisconsin Rapids, working 40 years at the Rapids Division of Consolidated Papers, Inc., retiring in 1985. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942 and served until 1945, flying 49 missions as a gunner on a B-24. Many of the missions in which he participated – including the Polesti oil fields – can be read about in World War II history books. His crews also were involved in bombing missions in southern France and Romania. His military service did not end in 1945. Mr. Potter was a member of VFW Post No. 2534 and volunteered at the Veterans Home at King. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Potter loved the out-of-doors, and his sons shared many memorable times hunting and fishing with him. His family was very important to him. He also loved his garden; it was his pride and joy. The fruits of his labors were shared with many.

The concept “one day at a time” became very important to Mr. Potter as he struggled with cancer, but with the help of God, and the help of those who loved him, he maintained a positive attitude.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Anne; two sons, Michael (Linda Knoll) Potter, Menomonie, and Richard (Sandra De Byl) Potter, Nekoosa; two daughters, Sandra Potter and Linda Freund, both of Wisconsin Rapids; one brother, John Potter, address unknown; one sister, Mary Jane (Alois) Van Ert, Rudolph; one sister-in-law, Norma Potter, Marshfield; three grandsons, Travis (Amy) Potter, and Curtis and Christopher Freund, all of Wisconsin Rapids; one granddaughter, Teresa (Craig) Lyall, Menomonie; and one great-granddaughter, Kelsie Lyall, Menomonie.

Higgins Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, was in charge of arrangements.