Betty Pothast

November 30, 1928 - June 5, 2020

Betty Jane Pothast, age 91 of Fort Dodge, formerly of Spencer, died Friday June 5, 2020 at the Simpson Health Center, Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. Graveside Services will be Friday, June 12th at 10:00 AM at North Lawn Cemetery, Spencer, Iowa. Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00 AM at the Convention Center, Clay County Fairgrounds. Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fort Dodge is entrusted with services. Betty Jane (Bradley) Pothast the daughter of Loy Vern (Brad) and Wilma Jeanette (Murphy) Bradley was born November 30, 1928 in Omaha, NE. Betty's early childhood years were spent in Oakland and Wakefield, NE. The family later moved to Red Oak, Iowa where she attended and graduated from Red Oak High School in 1946. She then attended and graduated from Iowa State University in 1950 with a degree in Home Economics. Betty moved to Spencer, Iowa where she worked as a County Extension Home Economist. Prior to moving to Spencer she worked as a County home Economist in Cass County and in Prowers County, Colorado. Betty married Norman Pothast January 6, 1957 in Red Oak, Iowa, and the couple made their home on a farm near Spencer where they worked as partners in their farming operation raising purebred swine. Betty remained interested in farming all of her life. Betty accompanied her husband on a People to People farm tour of Europe which was the beginnings of becoming a world traveler through her life. The couple hosted Japanese Foreign Exchange students. She was later employed by Iowa Lake Community College as a Learning Center Coordinator. Betty also worked for many years as a substitute teacher in the Spencer area. For 22 years Betty served as a 4-H and Open Class Fair judge. She was a member of University Women, Questers, Federated Women's Club, Farm Bureau, Garden Club, First English Lutheran Church where she also taught Sunday School, Naomi Circle, Lake Township Trustee, recipient of ISU Alumni Key Award and longtime Cyclone Supporter. Betty Pothast was a strong woman in her own right. She spent her long life blessed with good health, happiness and a strong faith. Betty was a dedicated wife and mother who was loving, nurturing and supporting of her entire family. Betty encouraged others to do their best and her generosity to other will be remembered. Betty is survived by her daughter Jean Silverman and life partner/spouse, Tim Irons, Sioux Falls, SD. Son: Grant (Kim) Pothast, New York, NY. Daughter: Ann (Chris) Knobbe, Fort Dodge, IA. Sister-in -law: Beverly Hanson, Stratford, IA. Grandchildren: Sarah Silverman, Molly Silverman (Mike Doucette), Morgan Pothast, Jake Pothast, Taylor Pothast, Charlie Pothast and Thomas Knobbe. Special Friend: Lowell Carlson, Dickens, IA. Nieces, nephews, cousins, along with a host of friends and relatives. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Norman, parents Loy Vern (Brad and Wilma Bradley, infant sister: Bonnie Lee Bradley, brother: Rex Bradley, father and mother-in-laws: Earl and Elsie Pothast, brother-in-law: Derald Hanson. Betty's strong woman wish was that in lieu of flowers, memorials be left to the First English Lutheran Church Pre-School, 1311 East 18th Street, Spencer, Iowa 51301.