Nelda Potter

Nelda Fern Potter, age 74, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019, at her home, surrounded by her family.    She was born March 28, 1944, in rural Cedar County, near El Dorado Springs, Missouri, the daughter of Eldon and Virginia “Bertie” (Felty) Teague.  Nelda was born at home, in the same house that her father was born, and also the house that her grandfather built.  She attended Forest Grove, a one room schoolhouse located a quarter mile from her home.  Nelda graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1962.  She went to Mercy School of Nursing in Fort Scott, Kansas, and graduated in 1965.  Nelda created lifelong friendships with her thirteen classmates that have lasted over 50 years, and they referred to themselves as the “Mercy Girls”. Nelda married Wilmer Lee “Bill” Potter in 1966 in Fort Scott, Kansas.  They moved to Greeley, Colorado and together had three children, Jonathan Lee, Jenna Rae, and Julie Kay.  In 1979, the family returned to Kansas to live in Garnett.  Nelda worked at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kansas after graduating from nursing school.  While living in Greeley, Colorado, she worked at Weld County General Hospital, where she was able to participate in the opening of the Cardiac Care Unit.  After moving back to Garnett, Nelda worked at the Anderson County Hospital until she retired. Growing up, Nelda was a member of the Concord Missionary Baptist Church in El Dorado Springs, Missouri.  She was also a member of the First Christian Church in Garnett. Nelda had unshakeable faith in God and love for her family.  Walking into her home you would immediately know what was important to her as she had multiple passages of scripture everywhere and pictures of her kids and grandkids everywhere.  She spent countless hours in God’s word and attending every event and activity possible that her kids and grandkids were involved in, from music concerts to ballgames and church activities.  Nelda was a fighter.  She battled cancer off and on for over 20 years and finally claimed the ultimate victory and she is finally forever free of cancer and with her Lord.  She greatly impacted the lives of many as she always pointed everyone she knew to Jesus.  She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed.  She fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the Faith.  Nelda was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill Potter in 1996; and her sister, Norma June Ullrich. She is survived by her children, Jonathan Potter and wife Kelly; Jenna Wight and husband Gerad, all of Garnett, Kansas; Julie Corbin and husband Chris of Dederick, Missouri; grandchildren, Jonathan and wife Amanda, Joel and wife Ashley, Jordan, Joshua, Virgil, Bryar, Gabriel, Josiah, Emma, Lily, Rilie, Jason, and Kris; great grandchildren, Kael, Drake, Devan, Tristen, Katie, and Ethan; two brothers, Neale Teague and wife Gayle of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; Lendon Teague of Austin, Texas, and a host of friends and family.   Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, January 11, 2019, at the First Christian Church, Garnett, Kansas.  Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Hazel Dell Cemetery, El Dorado Springs, Missouri.  Family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Nelda Potter Memorial Fund and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com