Obituary of Walter Potts

POTTS: Walter Potts passed away peacefully at the Hafford Special Care Center March 20, 2011 at the age of 95 years. He was born April 1, 1915 at Woodmore, Manitoba, the 5th of 13 children born to John and Edith Pott. In 1929, the family of 6 boys and 2 girls moved from Greenridge Manitoba by train. For the first 2 years they lived in the hills north of where Emile Lamontagne now lives. It was from here that Walter attended Camp Lake School. Then they moved to the south west quarter of section 24 where Blanche Pott now resides. He left school to farm with his dad and found work with several area farmers. When he went threshing, he took along his black and white dog. The dog would not allow anyone to disturb him or play practical jokes on him if he was sleeping in a straw pile. In 1942 alter purchased the half section where Donald and Linda now live. He farmed this land in early years with a team of four horses. October 11, 1946, he married a local girl by the name of Olive Creary. They started with a few cows and chickens and over time built up a substantial herd of cattle. They milked cows, sold the cream and eggs to put groceries on the table. They were true farmers who lived entirely on what the farm produced. They cleared and broke the land, first with horses, then a tractor and breaking plow and finally a caterpillar. In 1953, they built a new house where they raised their four children. In 1981, Walter and Olive retired from the farm and bought a house in Shell Lake. For the next 5 years he continued to drive to the farm everyday to help Donald. They had about 12 years together before Olive got sick and had to move to a nursing home. Walter drove every Wednesday and Sunday to visit her, and then Donald and Linda drove him every Sunday. In 2005 he broke his hip and was no longer able to care for himself. He was cared for in Leoville, Rabbit Lake and lastly in Hafford. He cherished the visits with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and friends. He lived a quiet faithful life. Walter will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Walter leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 64 years, Olive Potts of Canwood, SK., his children: Don (Linda) Potts of Shell Lake, SK., Clara Brown of Shellbrook, SK., Barry (Kathryn) Potts of Shellbrook, SK., Greg (Sandra) Potts of Shell Lake, SK., 14 grandchildren & 27 great grandchildren, his sister Emma Hodgson of Saskatoon, SK., his sisters in law: Verna Creary of Shell Lake, SK., Blanche Pott of Shell Lake, SK Numerous nieces, nephews & friends. he was predeceased by: his parents John & Edith (Post) Pott his brothers: John, Stewart, Zina, Arthur, twins William & George, Fredrick, & Hugh his sisters: Florence, Grace, and Gertrude, his wife's brothers: Garnet and Clinton Creary, his brother in law Wilfred Hodgson, his sisters in law: Ernestine Pott & Hazel Creary, a son in law Clifton Brown, a grandson Armand Brown, a great grandson Michael Williamson The funeral service was held Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 at 2:00 pm from the Shell Lake Lions Hall with Rev. David Jensen officiating. The soloist was Bill Martodam and the eulogists were Glenda Henry and Karen Lafond. His pallbearers were Bruce Potts, Brent Potts, Tyler Potts, Tony Potts, Kevin Henry and Phil Lafond Donations in memory of Walter may be made to the Shell Lake Cemetery Fund. Interment took place in the Shell Lake Cemetery. Beau"Lac" Funeral Home were entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Email condolences will be forwarded to the family. www.beaulacfuneralhome.com