Surnames: Potocnik, Anderson, Nielsen, Christensen, Paulson, Williams, Johnson, Unbehaun, Ritchay, Neumueller, Casey

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Thu, Dec 30, 2004

Potocnik, Margrete Ann (20 May 1912 - 27 Dec. 2004)

WITHEE -Margrete Ann Potocnik, 92, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2004, at Clark County Health Care Center in Owen.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee. A brief Eastern Star service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday in the Nazareth Church Hall. At 11:30 a.m., a processional will lead the family back into the Nazareth sanctuary for the funeral service conducted by Pastor Bryan Anderson.

She was born May 20, 1912, to Jacob and Jensine Magdalene (Nielsen) Christensen in Spring Valley, Minn. The family moved to a farm north of Owen in 1917.

Margrete graduated from Owen High School and Central State Teacher's College in Stevens Point. She taught in rural one-room schools, including Elmhurst.

On Oct. 5, 1935, she married John Potocnik at Nazareth Lutheran Church. Two daughters were born to this union, Karen Mary and Kristi Ann. Margrete and John farmed with her parents and in 1940 the two families formed Christensen and Potocnik farm which expanded to 240 acres over the decades of operation. The Christensen-Potocnik farm was sold in 1965 and the couple moved to Owen, where they lived until July 2000. Margrete worked in Dan's Department Store for several years. She loved learning and enrolled in numerous night classes at school, including German and pottery. Margrete and John moved to the Angelus Retirement Community, Colby, in July 2000. On Jan. 30, 2004, the couple moved to Clark County Health Care Center in Owen.

Margrete was a life-long member of Nazareth Lutheran Church. Margrete and John were organizational leaders of Parks Happy 13 4-H Club for 25 years, celebrating the diverse achievements of numerous members. Other organizations she valued and served many roles include Eastern Star, Clark County Fair Board and Homemaker's Club. She enjoyed playing cards with friends, volunteering at church, Clark County Health Care Center, Owen, fair and welcoming newcomers to the community with her home baked bread. Together, John and Mararete enjoyed traveling and helping family and friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen (Elliott) Paulsen, Balsam Lake, and Kristi Ann (Roger) Williams, Cottage Grove; her grandchildren, Rory (Dana Johnson) Paulsen, Troy (Debbie Unbehaun) Paulsen, Landon (Ann Ritchay) Williams, Stephanie Williams; and great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Emma and Tyler Paulsen. Her sister-in-law, Mary Neumueller, Elsie Potocnik and Hattie Potocnik-Casey, also survive her.

She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 69 years, John; her brother, Harald Christensen; and her parents.

Ritchay Funeral home of Wisconsin Rapids is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials May be made in Margarete's name to Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee.

Stevens Point , Wisconsin Central State Teachers' College

In 1927 Stevens Point Normal School became Central State Teachers College and began offering four-year teaching degrees. When post-World War II enrollment became less centered on teacher training and more focused on liberal arts education, the Wisconsin State Legislature intervened, elevating the school to a Wisconsin State College with the authority to grant bachelor's degrees in liberal arts. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia