Ella H. Potratz age 99 of Oshkosh, died at Evergreen Retirement Community on Sunday, February 8, 2009. Ella was born in the town of Eldorado on October 28, 1909 the daughter of John and Marie (Schultz) Schumacher. On January 25, 1930 she married Ernst A. Potratz. They enjoyed 42 years together until his death on September 27, 1972.

The fun of the party, Ella was authoritive and loving. She was a long time member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church of Nekimi. She was a homemaker and helped out on the farm. In her spare time she loved playing cards, especially, Parcheesi. Ella loved to be with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking time to play with each of them. Never to be forgotten is Ella's cake making abilities.

Surviving Ella are: her children, Valeria (Chet) Nitz of Michigan, Leo (Agnes) of Oshkosh, David (Lois) of Oshkosh, and Ronald (Shirley) of Van Dyne; 18 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Gertrude Hencke; sister-in-law, Mabel Schumacher; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Ernst, Ella was preceded in death by one infant grandchild, four brothers, and five sisters.

A funeral service will be held for Ella at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran of Nekimi, 491 Old Oregon Road. A time of visitation and sharing memories will be held TODAY from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels, 1025 Oregon Street, and again at church on Wednesday from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the service. A memorial is being established. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.

Special thanks to the staff of Manorview at Evergreen Retirement Community and Heartland Hospice for the care given to Ella and her family.

Seefeld Funeral and

Cremation Services

(920) 236-7750