Marian Jean Potts

Marian J. Potts, 93, of St. Paul, died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Brookefield Park in St. Paul.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. Rev. Alex Borzych will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. The family requests that everyone dress in casual attire.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. parish rosary.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Marian was born on Jan. 31, 1931, on a farm north of St. Paul, the daughter of Edward R. and Marie (O’Neill) Mannlein. She grew up on the farm and attended Howard County rural schools in the area and graduated from St. Paul High School. After graduating she began working at the ASCS Office in St. Paul.

She was united in marriage to Howard E. Potts on Nov. 29, 1952, at St. Paul. The couple first lived in St. Paul and in 1955, they moved to Monrovia, California, where Howard was a refrigeration apprentice. The couple returned to St. Paul in 1956, where they started Potts Plumbing & Heating. Marian assisted Howard with keeping the books for the business, which they owned and operated until retiring in 1980.

Howard died on Nov. 21, 1995. Marian continued to live in her home until earlier this year, when she moved to Brookefield Park.

She was a lifetime member of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and its Council of Catholic Women and she and Howard were longtime chairpersons of funeral dinners. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 119 of St. Paul, the Howard County Medical Center Auxiliary and volunteered at the Hospital Thrift Store. Her and Howard were also members of the Cornhusker Chapter of American Ex Prisoners of War of Grand Island.

Marian enjoyed playing cards, dancing, traveling and casino trips. She was an avid bowler for many years and loved hosting family gatherings. 

She is survived by her daughters, Sheila Perkins and J.R. Ewing of St. Paul, and Monica Potts of Colorado Springs, CO; grand pups, Teddy and Bella; brother, Gene Mannlein of Arizona; sister-in-law, Dinah Mannlein of Naples, FL; a special niece, Sue Ellston of Grand Island and numerous other nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Howard, she was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Deborah Potts on April 7, 2024; siblings and spouses, Floreta “Flora” Potts, Florence and Virgil Clark; Elaine Hurt Foster and Toot Foster and Buddy Hurt; Bill and Carol Mannlein; and Anita Mannlein.