Royce Potts

Royce Elaine (Walters) Potts moved from her home at Westview to her heavenly home on July 29, 2023. She was born January 24, 1926, on a farm outside of Bertrand, Nebraska. She was the fourth of five daughters born to Della and Roy Walters. As a member of the 'greatest generation,' she grew up experiencing the dirty 30s and the hard work required for her parents to maintain their family farm. The five 'Walters Girls' developed a wonderful bond that lasted almost a century as all of them lived into their 90's. The strong and amazing faith of their mother, Della, was not only shared with her daughters but has gone on to influence so many of her grand and great-grandchildren.

After her graduation from Bertrand High School, Royce and her sister Maybelle moved to Denver, Colorado, and worked at Montgomery Ward and the Denver Country Club. They moved back home to the family farm near Bertrand to care for their mother following a serious illness. Royce eventually went to work in a drug store in Oxford, Nebraska, where she happened to meet a handsome young man by the name of Les Potts.

Royce attended the Midwest Academy of Beauty in Lincoln and then opened her own shop, while Les attended the University of Nebraska. They would marry in Beaver City, Nebraska, on September 10, 1949, and spend the next 50 years together. When Les graduated from medical school, they moved from Arnold, Nebraska, to Warroad, Minnesota, and finally settled in Grant, Nebraska, in 1960. Their family grew to include four children: Leslie, John, Genie, and Debbie.

As the wife of a small-town general practitioner, she took on many extra duties at home and supported her husband in his medical practice. They enjoyed many adventures over the years as they pursued their love of farming, horses, boating at the lake, racquetball, and the Senior Olympics.

Royce had a gift for making things beautiful and loved putting her gift to work in her home and her yard and in crafting beautiful pieces of art with crewel yarn, sequins, and beads. She loved antiques and collecting, but more than anything, she had a tremendous love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Holiday planning and entertaining friends were things she enjoyed tremendously.

Her work ethic followed her into her 80s; she continued to work in various stores in Ogallala, where she made many friends and enjoyed dressing up to go to work. Later in life, she and her sister Maybelle took many cruises, including a trip through the Panama Canal when they were both over 80.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; sons, Leslie and John; and her four sisters, Genevieve, Dolores, Maybelle, and Marie. She leaves many cherished memories with her children, Genie (Gaylord) Bishop and Debbie (Rick) Tatum; Daughter-in-laws, Karen and Darlene Potts; Grandchildren, Regina Carlini, Sean, Seth, and Dustin Potts, Jared (Missy) Potts, Jennifer (Joe) Tatum, Chad (Steph) Miller, Leah (Charlie) Wescoat, Jayson (Deanne) Bishop, Aaron (Jessica) Bishop, and Tara (Drew) and Kylie Croup; and 29 greatly loved great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Western Sky Community Care Center. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhomecom, where the services will be streamed live.

Services will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Grant Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery at Grant.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 2 pm until 5 pm at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.