Ruth Potratz

Ruth Potratz, 83, resident of the Baptist Nursing Home, went to her permanent home with Jesus on September 18, 2009. Services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday at Century Baptist Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Dr. Gordon Stork officiating. Burial will be held in Clermont, IA. Visitation will be held at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm Sunday where a time of sharing will begin at 8:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Ruth L. Potratz was born in Clermont, IA, on April 17, 1926, to Otto and Clara Krueger. She married Willis Potratz on August 27, 1948. Five children were born to this union. Following high school Ruth attended Gates Business College, Waterloo, IA. During WWII she was employed at the Fayette County Rationing Office and then as bookkeeper for Baechler’s General Store. Immediately after marriage, they moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where her husband attended college and seminary. They pastored churches in South Dakota, North Dakota, and California, prior to serving in Area Ministries in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Ruth’s passions, which she followed during her entire active adult life, were music, serving as a church office secretary, supporting her husband in ministries and caring for her family. Her spiritual gifts were in music and hospitality. She became a church organist in her youth and was a sought after piano accompanist during her active life. She leaves her legacy: “One thing I have learned is to be happy where you are. Each place has its own beauty depending on our attitude. My favorite verse is Philippians 4:8, ‘Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, think on these things.’” Grateful for her life and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, she leaves her husband of over 61 years, Willis; her son, Steven Laurie, Pismo Beach, CA; her daughters, Eloise, Stockton, CA, and Leora Tim Herrmann, Bismarck; her son, Nathan Tracey, Orange Park, FL; and her six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter; her parents; her sister, Kathryn; and an infant brother. Memorials may be given to the Crystal Springs Baptist Camp, 4848 36th St NE, Medina, ND, 58467, or to the Gideons International Local Chapter, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN, 37214.

Ruth Potratz

April 17, 1926 - September 18, 2009