Rolland Bruce Potter
September 24, 1936 ~ December 20, 2013
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Rolland Bruce Potter, 77, of Seneca, passed away Friday, December 20, 2013 at his home.
Funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 27, 2013 at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Bill Hoffman officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery, Seneca with military honors. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 26, 2013 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.
Rolland Bruce was born September 24, 1936 to Rolland O. and Hazel (Miller) Potter in Seneca. He graduated from high school at Faulkton in 1954. He helped his father that summer and went to the technical school in Fargo to study welding and mechanics that winter. During the next couple years he worked for Wilhelm Construction, the Berry Ranch north of the Potter Farm before volunteering in 1957 for the U.S. Army. The Army sent him to Korea for 13 months in the artillery just south of the DMZ.
When he came home in 1958, he helped his father on the farm, worked construction, and did dragline work. He also met his future wife, Janice Binger, whom he married on Valentine’s Day in 1960. He had taught himself drag line operation, dug water dugouts in cattle pastures in South Dakota and North Dakota, excavated bridge sites on the Cheyenne River and east of Yankton, and prepared an irrigation pumping site north of Pierre on the Missouri River. He was recognized statewide as one of the best dragline operators at the time.
He took over as the Standard Oil distributor at Seneca, and moved their house from the farm to Seneca to be closer to the Standard Oil operation and be available to neighbors needing fuel, furnace repair, and greases and oil for their equipment. He was also still farming and helping his father.
Bruce loved his cattle and being at home. He also enjoyed the Seneca Coffee Crew, polka music, visiting with people and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Seneca Methodist Church and the IOOF lodge.
He will be greatly missed by his children: Rolland (Carol) Potter of Seneca, Connie Woodring of Brookings, and Brian (Shiela) Potter of Faulkton, 12 grandchildren; one brother, Willard (Marion) Potter of Belle Fourche; one sister-in-law, Bev Stoner of Albuquerque, NM and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice in November 1993; one sister, Adella (Alford) Martschinske; and one brother-in-law, Tim (Shirley) Binger.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Bruce’s arrangements
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Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, may they bring you comfort.
you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of your loss Bruce one great guy always had a smile on his face he will be miss
So saddened to hear of the loss of your dad and grandpa, we have known Bruce for many years and he will be missed. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Doug,Brenda,Falyn,and Cole
Sorry to hear about Bruce. My Condolences.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May God grant peace and strength.
The Kleffman Family
Please accept my deepest sympathies to the whole Potter family. Your father was one of the first patients I met when I first started working in Faulkton. He was an inspiration to me for several reasons. I was happy to call him a friend as well as a patient. I will miss him greatly!! May God Bless your family in this time of loss.
So sorry to hear about Bruce. Our prayers are with you.
Thinking of the entire Potter family at this difficult time. So sorry.
I’m so sorry to hear about Bruce. I have such fond memories of him and Janice in Seneca. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our Sympathy to all of Bruce’s family.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I always enjoyed talking with Bruce. He will be greatly missed he has touched many in his lifetime!
My sincere condolences to you and your family. Revelation 21:4 make this promise, it says: ” And he (God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither will morning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” What a beautiful promise, we all look forward, from our loving Creator, (Jehovah God, Psalm 83:18). May the God of peace be with you and your family.
Sincerely Yours,
Brandy Molina
Sorry to see you go old buddy. See you later. Larry