Mary Jeanene Potter

Mary Jeanene Potter, the daughter of Dewitt C. and Olga A. (Zimmerman) Potter, was born on May 26, 1929, in Panama, Iowa. She was raised in Panama and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Panama in 1946. Mary studied education at the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, for two years, and then taught school in Nebraska for two years. On September 5, 1950, she began working at Mutual of Omaha Insurance in Omaha. Mary worked in the claims department, and eventually held the position of Department Supervisor. She left Mutual of Omaha on November 1, 1987, when she began working with the Union Pacific Railroad. After working at Union Pacific for four years, in September, 1991, Mary retired and moved to Panama.

Mary was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama. Although her favorite color was blue, she was an avid Nebraska Big Red fan, holding University of Nebraska-Lincoln football season tickets for several years. She enjoyed working, and loved her job at Mutual of Omaha.

Mary J. Potter died on Sunday, November 14, 2004, at her Panama, Iowa, home. She had reached the age of 75 years, 5 months, and 19 days.

Preceding Mary in were her parents and one brother, Romuald Potter. She is survived by one brother, Jeron (Lee) Potter of Sun City West, Arizona; seven nieces and nephews, Minda R. Glazier of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, William J. Potter of Middletown, Rhode Island, Barbara J. Potter of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Teresa A. Macedo of Riverside, Rhode Island, Robert W. Potter of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Mary L. Potter of Kissimmee, Florida, and Michael J. Potter of Portsmouth, Rhode Island; and other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, November 19, 2004, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa, with Father John Dorton celebrating. Bob Mages served as the musician. Honorary casket bearers were Lisa Thomsen, Kim Mickels, Ann Lesiak, and Amy Recker. Active casket bearers were Bill Potter, Butch Potter, Jim Stessman, Pat Stessman, Jim Ratigan, and

George Schwery. Burial was in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Panama, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.