Travis W. Potter

IN MEMORY OF
TRAVIS WHITNEY POTTER

BORN
July 2, 1926
Sheldon, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
March 12, 2016
Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Saturday, March 19, 2016
United Methodist Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Kevin Gingerich Officiating

Visitation will be after 2:00pm Friday, March 18, 2016
with the family present from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday
at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

MUSIC
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
How Great Thou Art
Sung by: Wil George
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
In The Garden
Amazing Grace
Organist: Barb Burns

CASKET BEARERS
Grandchildren
Renae Roos Travis & Kristi Roos
Rochelle & Josh Hughes Jessica & Tom Zimmerman
Kayla & Peter Matkowski

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa

Military Rights Presented by:
McGlothlen-Cowie American Legion Post #145 of Sheldon.

After the graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to join
the family for lunch in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements under the care of
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa

TRAVIS WHITNEY POTTER

Travis Whitney Potter,the oldest son of Thomas W. and Mildred (Drown) Potter was born July 2, 1926 in Sheldon, IA. He, his older sister, Hazel and two younger brothers, Bob and Jim, were raised on the family farm homesteaded by his great-grandfather in 1876. Travis attended country school through the 8th Grade graduating as Valedictorian of OBrien County. He graduated from Sheldon High School in 1943. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy attending radio school in Hawaii and joining the 3rd Fleet in the South Pacific during WWII. He served on the aircraft carriers, USS Bennington and USS Lexington. After his discharge from the service, he returned home to farm. Travis married Glenda Rae Baerenwald on December 27, 1947 at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon, IA. After their wedding, the couple made their home on a farm east of Archer for 12 years and then moved to the Potter Family Farm south of Sheldon. Travis and Glenda were blessed with three children; Tom, Lori and Dennis. Upon their retirement in 1988, they moved into Sheldon. Farmer Cooperatives were an integral part of Travis farming business. He became involved at the local level serving on the Sheldon Farmers Coop Oil Company Board, then on the Iowa Institute of Cooperatives Board of Directors, Ames, IA. He was elected to serve on the District Farm Credit Board of Omaha. Then he was appointed to the Bank for Cooperatives National Committee, Washington, D.C. Later he served as a Charter member of CoBanks Board of Directors. Then he was appointed to the Farm Credit Council and was instrumental in enacting the Farm Credit Act of 1987. Glenda passed away on June 14, 2009 in Sioux City, IA. Travis remained in their home until his passing on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon, IA, reaching the age of 89 years, 8 months and 10 days.
Travis was an active member of the Sheldon United Methodist Church, serving as a trustee, chairman of both the finance and pastor parish boards. He served on several boards in Sheldon, the Hospital Board, Library Board, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Historical Society Board and was a member of the Morning Kiwanis, Eagles Club, the Sheldon American Legion and Sheldon Golf and Country Club. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, reading, attending and watching sports; and spending his summers at Lake Okoboji. But his greatest happiness was when he was surrounded by his family.
Travis is survived by his children; a daughter, Lori and her husband, Bryan Roos of Mahtomedi, MN; and a son, Dennis and his wife, Jan Potter of Sheldon, IA; five grandchildren, Renae Roos, Travis (Kristi) Roos, Rochelle (Josh) Hughes, Jessica (Tom) Zimmerman, Kayla (Peter) Matkowski; and eight great-grandchildren, Maddi, Jaxon, Jaeger, Maverick, Lauren, Tommy, Owen and Hunter; a sister-in-law, JoAnn Potter of Austin, MN; a special friend, Eleanor Rowenhorst of Sheldon, IA; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda; a son, Tom; his parents, a sister, Hazel Hof and two brothers, Robert and Jim Potter.

TO TRAVIS

My Darling! My Darling!
I love you so!
Its breaking my heart
To see you go!
Your bed will be empty!
Your room so neat!
Empty at the table
Will be your seat!

God hasten the war
To an early end!
And thy aid to us
That are left, please send!
Bring our boy, Dear Lord
Safe home again.
That a normal life
May be his
Dear Lord, thy help please send! 1942

THE END OF THE TRAIL
When weve almost reached the end of the trail,
And are able to sit and dream.
When the cares of life are over and past
And our days and nights serene,
No more need our hearts be burdened with care
Oer worldly troubles no more need we fret,
Were waiting the call of the Lord of all
To sail with Him into the Sunset. 1948

Poems written by Travis mother, Mildred Potter