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Potratz, Dona Jean Mitchell
Dona Jean Mitchell Potratz, 84, of Waukee, formerly of Tama, passed away Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, at Village Legacy Pointe in Waukee under the care of Hospice of Central Iowa. A Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama, with Pastor Thomas Dowling officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. Memorial visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Dona was born Nov. 26, 1929, in Algona, Iowa, the daughter of Noble and Edna (Peterson) Mitchell. She attended Algona schools, graduating in 1947. Dona was employed in the offices of Rath Packing Co. and John Deere Tractor Works in Waterloo before her marriage. On Aug. 28, 1949, she was united in marriage to Arthur (Mike) Potratz at the Lutheran Church in Whittemore, Iowa. Three children were born to this union, Gayle, Gary and Gina.
They lived in Stratford for three years, then for 20 years in Denison, where she worked as a bookkeeper-receptionist for KDSN radio. They were residents of Tama for 40 years and she was employed at the Tama Clinic, the Family Health Center in Toledo, and Willett & Rathjen Law Office in Tama. She enjoyed proofing “The Country Register” for many years.
Dona kept a daily diary for 70 + years and had many hobbies, including bridge, needlework, quilting, and crafts.
Dona was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama, Tama Civic Women and the Tama-Toledo Country Club.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Mike of Waukee; her children, Gayle (Dave) Elgin of West Des Moines, Gary (Brenda) Potratz of Lincoln, Neb., and Gina (Wes) Kaufman of Robins; seven grandchildren, Aaron, Adam and Andrew Potratz, Jennifer and Susan Elgin, Sarah (Austin) Spooner and Natalie Kaufman; and one brother, Willis L. (Arlan) Mitchell of Lancaster, Calif.
Preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers, Willard L. Mitchell and Carol W. Mitchell; and one sister, Marjorie E. Walborn.
Memorials may be directed to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Kitchen Fund.
Published Dec. 31, 2013 in The Gazette
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