Sandra Potter

Sandra J. Potter passed away surrounded by her loving family, while under the compassionate care of Ava's House Hospice, on September 29, 2024, at the age of 83. Sandy was born on July 1, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the second of three girls born to James and Augusta (Adamson) Hall. She began her love of travel at a very young age. Being an army brat, she lived in Missouri, Colorado, Virginia, and the country of Japan by the time she was in 8th grade. Her freshman through junior years were spent at Antilles High School at Fort Buchanan on the island of Puerto Rico, where she was a cheerleader and excelled on the volleyball, track and swimming teams. It was in Puerto Rico, where she could play year around, that she discovered her passion for the game of golf. After her family was transferred to Fort Ord, California, she completed her senior year at Monterey Peninsula High School, graduating in 1959 and went on to one year of junior college. In August of 1960 she met the love of her life, US Army Lieutenant Donald C. Potter, on a blind date. They were married 3 months later on November 22, 1960 and welcomed their only child, Donna Darlene, on December 29, 1965. As a military wife, Sandy lived on various Army Posts including, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Benning, Georgia; and Fort Sill Oklahoma. After Don's retirement, they also lived in Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin, and finally settled in South Dakota, first in Winner and later just outside Sioux Falls, near Lennox. Sandy loved advocating for, and teaching, children. She was a Girl Scout troop leader and also worked in the school system as a teacher's aide, the Guidance Counselor secretary, and served on the school board. She was an ardent supporter of her daughter's pursuits during high school and beyond. She loved to attend high school band and choir concerts, volleyball and softball games, and was always up to chaperone field trips. Sandy had a very strong faith and was an active member of the United Methodist Church, where she also taught Sunday School. An avid reader, Sandy also loved bowling, swimming, gardening, playing cards, anything to do with Christmas, rooting for her beloved Nebraska Cornhusker football team, was always up for a trip to the casino, and music of all kinds but, above everything, she loved to travel!! Together, she and Don, saw most of the United States and some of Canada. It never took very long after returning from a trip before she would start planning and packing for the next one. Sandy radiated happiness, loved to laugh, loved her family and could find the good in almost any situation, but she was also very honest and was never afraid to speak her mind if needed. Her motto was "Bloom Where You Are Planted". This perfectly sums up how she lived her life and the joy she found in meeting new people and discovering new places. Grateful to have shared her life is her husband of over 63 years, Don; her daughter, Donna (Rich) Shimek; her sister, Mary Ann (Jack) Day; her sister, Iris (Bill) Lofquest; her sister-in-law, Anita Potter; her lifelong best friend, Ruth Patrick, and a host of nieces and nephews and their children, spanning several generations. Sandy's family invites you to join them for an informal memorial visitation at the Holiday Inn Express, Winner SD on Sunday October 13, 2024, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. Sandy's light touched many lives over the years - she will be greatly missed, but always remembered with great love!