Jan. 26, 1918 – Jan. 10, 2018
Dorothy Agnes Potter, 99, of Sweet Home entered the loving embrace of our Lord on Jan. 10, 2018, days before her 100th birthday.
She was born in Wabasso, Minn. at her grandmother’s home. She was the youngest of John T. and Nancy A. (Smith) Hollenbeck’s children.
She joined two brothers, Glen and William, and three sisters: Viola, Luella, and Mary.
The family lived on their homestead southwest of Sentinel Butte, N.D., with all the children attending both country schools and high school in Sentinel Butte.
Dorothy graduated in 1935 and two years later moved to Bellingham, Wash., with her sister Mary. In 1940 the girls moved to Ketchikan, Alaska for the summer and there she met the love of her life, Charles Potter. They were married in 1942 and lived in Ketchikan for their 47 years of marriage.
In 1952 they took in a family of four foster children, Michael, William, Janey and David Johansen, whom they raised as their own.
Dorothy loved being a stay- at-home mom when they were young. She was always grateful God gave her this opportunity.
Her greatest love was that she was able to raise the four children to be mature and responsible adults. She enjoyed cooking, embroidering, gardening and homemaking.
Prior to the children becoming a part of their lives, Dorothy worked as a manager in the Montgomery Ward Credit Department. After the children were grown she worked as a manager of the Credit Union at the Georgia Pacific Pulp Mill.
The family lived on the coast and enjoyed boating, camping, fishing and just being active in the wonderment of Alaska.
Dorothy remained at her home in Ketchikan until moving to Sweet Home in 2005 to be with her sister Mary. She has resided at Wiley Creek Retirement Community since that time.
Both she and Mary enjoyed praising their Lord at the Mennonite Church in Sweet Home.
Her foster children, William and David Johnansen, nieces Karen May, Dottie May, Mary Jane Olesen and Viola Schillo, nephew Pete Wilson, numerous grandnieces, nephews and friends will miss the pleasure of her smile, the twinkle in her eye, her quick wit, and her positive attitude.
Dorothy is joining her husband Charles Potter; two foster children: Michael Johansen and Janey Smith; parents John T. and Nancy A. Hollenbeck; two brothers, Glen and William Hollenbeck; three sisters, Viola Wilson, Luella May and Mary DeLong in the loving arms of our Lord.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Wiley Creek Community. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.