Josephine “Josie” Potthast

Sunday, November 28, 2010

4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Monday, November 29, 2010

8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

St. Paul Church, Highland, IL.

Mass of Christian Burial

Monday, November 29, 2010

11:00 a.m.

St. Paul Church

Josephine “Josie” Potthast, 86, of Highland, IL, died Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

She was born August 31, 1924 to Joseph and Theresa (Nee Ottensmeier) Zurliene, in Aviston, IL.  On May 7, 1946 she married Norbert Potthast, at St. Francis Church, Aviston, IL.

Josie was a member of St. Paul Church, Highland, IL, where she was a Eucharistic Minister and Sunday school teacher.  She was a Kirchenfest Grass roots leader, volunteer, and role model.  She belonged to Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Daughters of Isabella, Hospital Auxiliary, and St. Ann’s Altar Society.  She was a member of Highland Garden Club, Moose Lodge and Moose Heart in Edwardsville, IL, Kitchen Band, Joy Singers, Red Hat Ladies, Royal Neighbors, Highland Historical Society and Madison County Farm Bureau.  She was a 4-H supporter and a Madison County Fair Merchant.  She was a long-time supporter and fund raiser for the American Heart Association.

Josie helped out on the family farm as a child, and then she worked at the Shoe Factory and Egg Factory before her marriage.  She was an Amway Distributor, Ams/Oil Distributor and Co-owner of N. Potthast Lawn Equipment and Green House with her husband from 1956 to 1980.

She was a designer of one-of-a-kind costumes.  She shared her talents at events, parades, and parties.

She is survived by: 5 Children, Mary Esther (Robert) Muentnich, Collinsville, IL, Marvin (Connie) Potthast, St. Rose, IL, Melvin (Dayna Johnson) Potthast, Glen Carbon, IL, Myron (Patricia) Potthast, Columbia, IL, Marsha Jo (Adelbert “Bert”) Elliott, II, Highland, IL; 13 Grandchildren, Michele (David) Muentnich Sheahan, Scott (Stephanie) Muentnich, Kelly (fiancé Brian Timmons) Potthast, Chrisa (Brad) Potthast Leezer, Carrie (Tyler) Potthast Kramer, Kimberly (Nick) Potthast Rahar, Craig E. (Nicole Hastings) Potthast, Linda (Peter) Potthast Sambor, Andrew (Mary) Potthast, Jacqueline M. Elliott, Jonathan T. (Samantha) Elliott, SrA Valerie L. Elliott, Stephanie D. (fiancé SrA Michael A. Krohn) Elliott; 11 Great-Grandchildren, Hannah and Brendan Sheahan, Madeline and Sophia Muentnich, Abbigail Leezer, Ethan and Cora Potthast, Alyssa Sambor, Lucas James Potthast, Breanna N. and Alyssa R. Elliott; 1 Brother, Ferdinand Zurliene; 5 Sisters-in-law, Irene Zurliene, Margie Zurliene, Mary Zurliene, Ruth Potthast, Betty Potthast; 3 Brothers-in-law, Doyle Reynolds, Anthony “Tony” (Ruth) Potthast, Ferdinand (Joan) Potthast.

She was preceded in death by: Her Parents, Joseph and Theresa Zurliene; Husband, Norbert Potthast; Son, Mark Potthast; Brothers and Sisters, Louise (Gregory) Hazelhorst, Theodore Zurliene, Loretta (Claude) Stimson, Otto (Florence) Zurliene, Charles Zurliene, Joseph Zurliene, Frederic Zurliene in Infancy, Lavina Zurliene in Infancy; Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Emma Potthast at Birth, Ernest Potthast, Quinton Potthast, Sr. Mary Agnes Potthast, Cornelia Reynolds, Donald Potthast, Alice Zurliene.

In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Church, Heart Transplant Association or Highland Historical Society.

Visitation: Sunday, November 28, 2010, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Monday, November 29, 2010, 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at St. Paul Church, Highland, IL.

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, November 29, 2010, 11:00 a.m., St. Paul Church

Clergy: Rev. Paul Kala, Parochial Vicar

Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Highland, IL.

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL