Rene Potter
A delayed Celebration of Life will be held for Rene Potter on Tuesday, August 10 at the Springfield Golf Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The public is invited and a short service is planned at the Cottonwood River bridge south of #1 green commencing at 11:00 a.m.. The service at the river and the clubhouse will be officiated by Chaplain Noel Wetter of St. John’s Lutheran Home. The public and family is invited to share stories, anecdotes, and thank you’s during that time.
Rene was born on April 26, 1926 in Minneapolis, MN She passed away on March 30, 2020 at St. John’s Home in Springfield. For most of her adult life she was a lifelong resident of Springfield, except for about 10 years when she resided in the St. Cloud area. She moved back to Springfield and resided in the Library Apartments prior to taking up residence for the last eight or so years at St. John’s Circle of Care in Springfield.
Rene grew up in Minneapolis and Willmar, and after high school graduation, took a job in New York modeling wedding dresses. After a period of time, she came back to MN and enrolled at Hamline University where she met Vernon “Bud” Potter at a Hamline baseball game ‘date’, set up by Bud’s friend Duane Meyer. Bud and Rene were married on October 4, 1947 and took up residence in Springfield, where Bud ultimately owned Potter’s West Side Auto. Rene was a full-time Mom, wife and homemaker. She enjoyed raising her family, being a ‘Paffrath Mom’, numerous church activities, social clubs, cross-stich work, and knitting.
She is survived by her daughter JoAnn (Steve) Erbes of Apple Valley, MN; sons Jim (Denise) Potter of Farming, MN; Jeff (Sheila) Potter of Omaha, NE; and Jack (Ann) Potter of Monticello, MN. She greatly loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren, of which she had nine and 11 respectively.
She was a wonderful woman and had many friends wherever she went. She is loved deeply and admired by her family, forever.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, please donate to St. John’s Home on Rene’s behalf.