Obit: Potocnik, Edward Lee #2 (1923 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Homan, Koprivniker, Laube, Potocnik, Rajaofera, Rice

----Source: WIGM/WKEB Obituaries (Medford, WI) 9/24/2015

Potocnik, Edward "Eddie" Lee (8 MAY 1923 - 20 SEP 2015)

Edward "Eddie" Lee Potocnik, age 92, of Withee, passed away at the Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center on Sunday, September 20, 2015.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 26 at 1:00 PM at the United Church of Christ in Owen. Pastor Asafa Rajaofera will officiate. Family and friends are welcome on Friday, September 25 from 5:30 until 7:30 PM at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen and from 12:00 PM until time of service on Saturday at the church. Military Honors will be provided by Lublin American Legion Post #547, Owen American Legion Post #123 and the Owen-Withee Vets Club.

Edward was born on May 8, 1923 in Taylor County, the son of Joseph and Anna (Koprivniker) Potocnik. He received a welding certificate from the tech school in Marshfield. Edward worked on ships in Superior until enlisting in the US Army-Air Force. He served during WWII in Europe and was a POW in Germany.

After his honorable discharge, he returned to Owen. On June 26, 1947, Edward was united in marriage to Berniece Laube at the United Church of Christ in Owen. He then started his own business, Withee Electric, which included working on electrical, refrigeration and water systems. In the early 1950's, they started raising turkeys commercially while continuing his other work endeavors. Edward retired in 1990.

From 1990 - 2003, Edward and Berniece traveled and lived in a 5th wheel RV, visiting grandchildren, and touring the United States, including Alaska and Mexico and Canada. They also traveled to Europe retracing Eddie's steps as a POW.

He loved fishing, hunting, dancing and visiting with family and friends. Most importantly, Edward loved being with his family.

He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Owen and was a member of the choir and a proud member of Owen American Legion Post #123, the Owen-Withee Vets Club and the EX-POW Post in Marshfield.

Edward is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Berniece of Withee; three daughters: Eileen Potocnik of Eau Claire, Kathy (Dave) Rice of Spanish Fork, UT and Janice (Don) Homan of Salem, UT; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a brother-in-law, Harold (Fern) Laube and Harriet Laube, both of Owen; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers and two sisters: Joseph, Jr., Frank, Tony, Bill, Carl, Anna and Alice.

Edward's family would like to thank the staff at Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center for the care he received the past three years where he resided.

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