Freda Marie Larson Potts, 92
Freda Marie Larson Potts' life journey of 92 years ended on Friday, March 25, 2011 at the home of her oldest son in Omak, Wash., where she had resided for the past two years. Freda died peacefully in her sleep.
Freda was born on December 18, 1918 in Stanley, WI, the daughter of Edward and Emma Larson. She was the fifth of six children and was raised on the family farm near the Town of Worden, Wisc. Her father Edward was a pioneer resident of the Stanley area. Upon completion of grade school, Freda began working in the Stanley area.
On March 18, 1941, she was united in marriage to Lawrence W. Potts of Gilman, Wisc., and they moved to Milwaukee, Wisc. Freda was a devoted spouse and homemaker for 68 years and she was a most wonderful and loving mother for her eight children. Freda taught her children to love one another as she loved each of them. She enjoyed embroidering and was an excellent seamstress. She brewed a great cup of coffee!
Upon retirement in 1978, Freda and Lawrence settled in Coeur d'Alene. Until his death in June of 2009, they divided their time between the log cabin home that Lawrence had built in the Yaak region of northwest Montana, and visiting their children and grandchildren. Lawrence and Freda spent their winters in the warmth of the southern tip of Texas, fishing, beachcombing, and enjoying the company of their many snowbird friends.
Freda is survived by her eight children, daughter Fredaine (Bob) McMillan, of San Diego, Calif., sons Larry Jr. (Sheryl) of Omak, Wash., Bruce (Rosie) of Sparks, Nev., daughter Jeaneen (Allen) Weinbrecht, Glendora, Calif., sons Carl of Quilicene, Wash., Bill (Marci) of Sparks, Nev., Keith (Patti) of Jacksonville, Fla., and Kevin (Jennie) of Post Falls, ID; 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; sister Esther Karnes of Medford, Ore., sister-in-law Mary (Bill) Taylor, brothers-in-law Fred Potts, Paul Potts, Ray Potts, and Phillip (Shirley) Potts; many nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Freda was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence, her parents, Edward and Emma, brother Leonard, and sisters Vivian (Hubert) Duce, Laila (Russell) Gorsengor, and Ruth (Gene) Fisher.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 1, at St. Pius Catholic Church in Coeurd'Alene, with Rev. Roger LaChance presiding. Freda will be buried beside her husband Lawrence at Forest Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene, immediately following the Mass.
Please visit Freda's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com