Potthoff, Eleanor Marguerite

Eleanor Marguerite Potthoff

2/8/1916 - 10/26/2012

Eleanor Marguerite Potthoff was born Feb. 8, 1916, to Charles and Alma Snell in Algona, Iowa. She was educated in Iowa public schools in Algona, Dayton, and Pilot Mound. She served as a WAVE in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945, attaining the rank of Pharmacist Mate Second Class. She was employed at the Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. from 1946 to 1954. She and Roy A. Potthoff were married

June 19, 1953. They had 47 very happy years together. Roy died June 15, 2000.

Eleanor loved to sing. She was one of the soprano soloists at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dayton, Iowa, St. John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines and First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Gorrine Neaffe Goussef was her voice coach for 12 years. Eleanor was a member of the Madrigal Music Club in Des Moines and the Musical Literary Club in Marion. She was also a member of the Sorosis Club in Marion and the PEO Sisterhood.

Eleanor cherished her many friends and kept in touch with them through the years. She was proud of her Swedish heritage and enjoyed preparing a Swedish Smorgasbord when she entertained her friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lillian Toyne; brother, Howard Snell; and sister, Alberta Golly. A sister, Ivadell Snell, died in infancy.

She is survived by a son, Gregory J. Potthoff, a daughter-in-law, Karen Potthoff, and two granddaughters, Kathleen Potthoff and Megan Potthoff.

She was a member of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido, Calif. If desired, donations may be sent to the Community Lutheran Church Building Fund, 3575 East Valley Pkwy., Escondido, CA 92027.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her but she leaves her love and she wants you to love and take care of each other.

Published Nov. 5, 2012 in The Gazette