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Arlene C. Potratz, age 78 of Oshkosh, died at Evergreen Retirement Community Friday morning May 18, 2007. She was born in Oshkosh to Thomas and Ruby (Fisher) Jones on September 23, 1928. She met George Potratz and on December 28, 1946 they got married in Chicago. He preceded her in death on March 23, 1998.

Arlene was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. She graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1947. She was active as a 4-H leader, several school PTA's, sports and music booster clubs, and Winnebago County Extension Homemakers. In 1982 Arlene helped organize "The Rainbow Friends" of Park View Health Center Pavilion. She worked as a Red Cross Volunteer at local area blood banks and volunteered at Mercy Medical Center. Arlene was also a member of Rachel Circle and Globelites at her church. For many years she worked part time at J.C. Penny at the catalog desk.

Arlene is survived by eleven children: Susan Berg of Oshkosh, Thomas (Anna) of Brookfield, Diane (Thomas) Nelson of Reno, Nevada, Robert (Marilyn) of Oshkosh, Linda (Dr. Mark) Karrels of Janesville, James (Margaret) of Oshkosh, Alan (Danni) of Waukesha, Mindy (David) Smith of Oshkosh, William of Oshkosh, Nancy (Andrew) Laatsch of Highland Park, Illinois, and Timothy (Heather) of Weyauwega; grandsons: Marek (Valrry), Jesse (Stacy), Benjamin, Alex, Trevor, Samuel, and Noah Potratz, Michael and Calvin Laatsch, Lloyd Minick, Brett and Peter Smith, and Luke and Tyler Karrels; granddaughters: Cindy (Brian) Kumbier, Karen (Jon) Kness, Noel (David) Weber, Elizabeth Schenck, Jacki Potratz, Stacy (Nathan) Brusius, Kelly Potratz, Natalie Ellenbecker, Jodie Smith, Lauren Laatsch, Chelsea Karrels, Paula and Naomi Minick, and Miranda Potratz; great-grandchildren: John and Cameron Kumbier, Ainsley Kness, Gavin Weber, and Isabelle and Tom Schenck. She is further survived by her sister, Dorothy Flanagan; sisters-in-law: Margaret Potratz, Geraldine Potratz, Shirley Potratz, Ruth Potratz, and Beulah Binder; and brother-in-law Harry Reffke.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, George; daughter, Margie Potratz-Butler; son, Roger Potratz; and many other family members.

Funeral services for Arlene will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 808 N. Main Street, with Reverend Joel Olsen officiating assisted by Vicar Brian Cain. Family and friends are invited to a time of visitation and sharing of memories on Monday, May 21, 2007 at Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels, 1025 Oregon Street, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and at the church on Tuesday, from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Omro Union and Junction Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Evergreen Care Assurance Fund. Condolences may also be shared with the family online at www.seefeldfuneral.com

Seefeld Funeral and

Cremation Services

(920) 236-7750


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