Emma Lou Potts

Emma Lou Potts, age 97, of Utica, South Dakota, died Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice House in Yankton, South Dakota. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton, South Dakota, with Reverend Jeff Otterman officiating.  Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton.  Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.

Pallbearers are Darin Hunhoff, Kevin Hunhoff, Nathan Hunhoff, Kaden Hunhoff, Bernie Hunhoff, and James Voetmann.  Honorary pallbearers are Hannah Hunhoff, Zachary Hunhoff, and Molly Hunhoff.

Emma Lou Potts was born March 31, 1927, on the farm near Trimont, Minnesota, to Ralph and Elvera (Ek) Randall.  She grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Trimont.  She worked as a receptionist for the local doctor in Trimont for a few years and then married Frank Potts on September 20, 1947, at First Lutheran Church in Trimont.  They farmed in Minnesota for a few years and moved to Yankton in 1958.  Emma Lou worked in the cafeteria for the Yankton School System and later became the cook at Kochi Restaurant in Yankton.  

They moved to their acreage near Utica, South Dakota, where Emma Lou kept an immaculate home and enjoyed tending to her flowers and listening to music.  She was a wonderful cook and baker and enjoyed having coffee and playing cards with her friends and family.  She was a wonderful mom and was always there, helping whenever she could.  She especially loved the time she could spend with her grandsons and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Patricia (Mark) Hunhoff of Volin, South Dakota; two grandsons: Darin (Heather) Hunhoff of Lakeville, Minnesota and Kevin (Jill) Hunhoff of Utica, South Dakota; five great grandchildren: Nathan, Hannah, Zachary, Kaden, and Molly; sister, Judy Voetmann of Armstrong, Iowa and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 73 years, Frank Potts, and brother-in-law, Axel “Junior” Voetmann.