Dean Potter, 82

Dean Potter, 82, of Kalispell, “passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” on May 3, 2012, after an eight-year courageous and inspirational journey with colon cancer. He passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his wife, Alice, and his loving family.

Dean was born on Feb. 14, 1930, in Crosby, N.D., to Earl and Ida Potter. He lived in Dooley, Mont., as a young boy, and later Kila where his mother taught school in a one-room country schoolhouse. He was a smart little boy and skipped second grade, making him only 16 years old when he graduated from Flathead County High in 1946.

Following graduation, he furthered his education at Montana State in Bozeman, graduating with a degree in teaching. While on break in Kalispell, he met the love of his life, Alice Halvorson. They dated only three months before marrying on Dec. 30, 1950.

Dean served nine years in the National Guard during their first years of marriage.

 After receiving his teaching degree, he taught two years alongside his mother in Marion, and one year in Kila. He and Alice lived in a one-room teacherage. In 1953, their son, David, was born and a year later, their daughter, Janet.

In 1955, he gave up teaching and moved the family to Hungry Horse where he began a new career at Anaconda Aluminum. They soon moved to Columbia Falls. In 1968, he accepted a job with Bonneville Power Administration. This new career took the family to Anaconda for two years, and then on to Wenatchee, Wash., for another two years before returning to their home in Kalispell in 1973. Dean retired from BPA in 1993.

Following retirement, Dean enjoyed his time as a volunteer at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He also started a music group, The Golden Reruns. They entertained at many nursing homes and events throughout the valley. Dean was a talented musician, self-taught in many musical instruments, including guitar, harmonica, button accordion, fiddle and mandolin.

Dean and Alice were very involved in Bethel Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. Dean was a man of few words, but when he spoke, you knew he meant it. He loved to tell a story or a joke, he loved music and he loved his family and friends.

Dean and Alice enjoyed entertaining in their home where the evening always ended in playing cards or a board game with friends or family. In earlier years, they loved to camp with their grandson, Sam, and also took many trips with their fifth wheel to the Oregon coast which they enjoyed so much.

Following retirement, they also enjoyed several bus tours and two cruises to Alaska.

Dean will be missed for his love of life, never giving up until his body said it couldn't go on; he never complained. He was an inspiration to his family and friends and many others at Northwest Medical Oncology who are fighting this same battle. We want to say a special thank you to Dr. Ward, Justine, Lois and Kathy and the other staff at Northwest Medical Oncology for loving Dean, taking such good care of him and treating him like family. And also towards the end of his journey, a special thank you to KRMC Home Options/ Hospice, especially to Karen H., Lori, Janet, Wendy and Bob. We love you all.

Dean is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Alice; son, David Dean Potter, and Angela, of The Dalles, Ore.; daughter, Janet, and Orland Leland, of Kalispell; sister, Enid Tronson, of Spokane; grandson, Samuel Dean, and Krista Nunnally of Kalispell; granddaughters, Amanda and Mike Moreno of Neets Bay, Alaska and Ashley Potter of The Dalles; and great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Samuel Dean Jr., Nunnally of Kalispell. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him so much joy the last few years. He loved you all very much. He was also survived by several nieces and nephews and many friends who were like family to him.

“We will miss you more than we can say, and Valentine's Day will never be     the same again. We love you, Dad!”

Memorial gifts may be given in Dean's name to the Northwest Healthcare Foundation Volunteer Fund towards the ER campaign; or to the Bethel Baptist Missionary Fund.

Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, where the family will greet friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, at Bethel Baptist Church, 936 Fourth Ave. W., in Kalispell.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Dean's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Dean's tribute wall.