Walt E. Potter Obituary (1935

Walter E. Potter, the son of Mary (Berne) and Orry Potter, was born September 29, 1935 at Denver, Colorado. He departed this life on Monday, July 11, 2011 at Mary Lanning Memorial Healthcare in Hastings, Nebraska at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 12 days. Walt spent his childhood years in Denver, where he received his formal education. A veteran of the United States Marines, he enlisted to serve his country following his graduation from high school. He was discharged on May 12, 1957. He returned to the Denver area where he was employed as a concrete finisher until 1973. On July 15, 1972 Walt was united in marriage with Jone Morgan at Denver. In 1974, they moved to Republican City, Nebraska where they began their career in the restaurant business, opening Little Mexico. They sold that business and returned to Denver for a short time. In April of 1976, they moved to Inavale where they owned and operated Gala Gardens Retirement Inn. Walt and Jone also opened Elavani Little Casa restaurant at Inavale and continued in the business with locations in Hastings, Smith Center, Kansas and Red Cloud, retiring in 2000. Following his retirement, Walt continued to work part time at Gala Gardens, helping his daughter, Kyla Maudlin, with the business. In his leisure time Walt enjoyed working in his yard, feeding birds, and the company of his little cameo dog. He had an appreciation for the beauty of nature and looked forward to the trips he and Jone made traveling in their motor home. He was happiest when he was just enjoying his home and spending time with family. He especially embraced and cherished time spent with his grandkids. Preceding him in death were his parents; a son, Mark Allen; daughters, Terry and Tammy, a grandson; and his daughter, Kyla Maudlin on May 8, 2006. Left to treasure his memory are his loving wife, Jone Potter; son, Shane Brumbaugh of Inavale; 8 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; a step-son, Mike Ford of Arizona; a sister, Joyce Hiett and husband Ed of Phoenix, Arizona; a brother, George and wife Leatha "Snooky" of Golden, Colorado; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Saturday, 10:30 a.m., July 16, 2011 at the Revival Tabernacle Church in Red Cloud with the Rev. Darrell Sutton officiating. Interment with military graveside honors was at the Red Cloud Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home 241 West 4th Avenue Red Cloud, NE 68970 Tel: 402-746-2500 williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com