Emma A. Potter

Emma A. Potter, 97, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2024, at St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna.  She was born on April 25, 1926, in Appleton to the late Frank Van Agtmael, and Agnes (Milheiser) Van Agtmael, and married Melvin A. Potter, Sr., on January 3, 1943. 

Her life was filled with what she cherished most - her family. She was never happier than when she held a child in her loving arms.  Throughout her life, also enjoyed driving fast in fancy cars, painting ceramics, doing needlework, collecting glass and crystal Christmas ornaments, watching soap operas, and listening to classic country music, which included her favorite songs The Ballad of Ira Hayes by Johnny Cash and He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones. 

Emma will be missed by her children:  Lawrence "Larry" (Verlea) Potter of New Braunfels, TX, William “Willie” (Barbara) Potter of Combined Locks, Betty Braun of Neenah, Kathleen “Kathy” Mislinski of Kenosha, Penny (James) Bowen, and Frank (Donna) Potter of Appleton.  She is also survived by her grandchildren: Carol (Dale) Llanto of Airway Heights, WA, Larry (Chris) Potter of Green Bay, Lance (Steve Carbin) Potter of Madison, Leah (Brian) Desens, Jon (Jen) Olson of Appleton, Brenna (Chet) Hunt of Green River, UT, Tom (Cesilyn) Sebastiani of Hesperia, CA, James (Alison) Young of Sun Prairie, Jennifer (Kurt) Mueller of Neenah, Katie Jo (Steve) Schommer of Kenosha, Paige (John) Boyle of Racine, Brett Logan of Lewisville, TX, Jamin (Sarah) Bowen of Appleton, Jeffrey Bowen of De Pere, Megan (Tyler) Brundridge of Oregon, WI, Abbey Bowen of Milwaukee, Jacob (Kayla) Potter of Madison, 37 great-grandchildren, 23 great, great-grandchildren, 2 great, great, great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin A. Potter, Sr., son, Melvin A. “Mel” Potter, Jr., daughter, Bonny L. Pennington, son-in-law, James “Jimmy” Braun, daughter-in-law, Marla Potter, grandsons, Charles “Chuck” Potter and Edward “Eddie” Abell, granddaughter, Kirsten Potter, brothers, Henry “Pete” Van Agtmael, Earl F. Van Agtmael, and Frank W. Van Agtmael, and sister, Caroline J. Grutzmacher. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna to honor her legacy. 

Her family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of St. Paul Villa Assisted Living and St. Paul Hospice Services for the extraordinary and loving care provided to our beloved mother and grandmother. You are truly God’s special servants. 

A memorial service will be held at Wichmann Funeral Home, located at 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton, on Wednesday, February 21 at 1:30 p.m. with Dr. Keith Doyle officiating. A visitation will begin at noon and will last until the time of service. 

Emma will be laid to rest in Highland Memorial Park, next to her husband, immediately following the service.