Arline Potter

Arline F. 90, most recently of Pleasant Prairie, WI, and formerly a 23 year resident of Winthrop Harbor, IL, died on Friday, December 20, 2013, at her home with her family by her side after a valiant fight with cancer. She was born June 13, 1923, in Portland, Oregon to Gilbert and Camerina French. Her father was an engineer with American Can Co. which had the family moving often and living in many parts of the US including New Orleans and Hawaii. This laid the foundation for much travel later in life. She enjoyed travel in her motor home with her late husband, Jim. They visited all parts of the US and parts of Mexico. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Family always came first. Arline taught them the joy of family, the benefit of hard work, the wonder of inquiry about life and lessons for self-sufficiency. She was truly an independent woman long before it was a movement. She was a proud patriot who served in the Women's Army Corps in World War II while her husband Jim served in Europe. This service laid the ground work for one of her favorite relationships, a 65 year membership in The American Legion Lake County Women's Post 1122, This engagement provided many friendships and a vehicle to express her commitment to country and the men and women who served in the armed services of our great country. Her industrious role model was manifested through work at home and on the many jobs she held - waitress, ward clerk at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, retail clerk, and volunteer. The last few years she greatly enjoyed her Friday lunches at the Cake Box Bakery in Zion with her lady friends. Survivors include a son, Terri Lynn (Carla) Potter of Bonita Springs, FL; daughters, Andrea Petreman (Fred) Rode of Pleasant Prairie, WI, and Sue Ann (John) Becker of Evanston, IL; grandchildren, Michelle (Ben) Johnson, Amy (Ralph) Nyberg, Georgia (Cesar) Lopez, Sarah (Eric) Persson, Suzannne Potter (Jamie) Formanek, Matthew Potter, and Daniel (Bekah) Ashton; and 13 great-grandchildren. Arline was preceded in death by her husband, James Potter; brothers, Gilbert and Lou French; sister, Anna Mesec; and great-grandchildren, Adam Nyberg and Madeline Lopez. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 27, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion, IL. Visitation will be Thursday, December 26, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggesedt to American Legion Charities, The American Legion Donation Processing, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or March of Dimes.