Harold E. son of Lester and Neola Reynolds Potter, was born December 13, 1914, in Guthrie County, Iowa. He attended the Audubon Schools; as a young man he began farming.

On July 4, 1938, Harold was united in marriage with Gladys I. Henriksen. Three children, Charlotte, Sandra, and Russell were born to this union. Harold lived at Dunlap where he was a trucker. Later, he moved to Dow City where he was a grain elevator manager; finally, Harold was a fertilizer salesman, retiring in 1976. Harold's wife, Gladys, died in 1989.

On October 1, 1994, Harold was united in marriage with Bernice Jansen Ruhde. They made their home in Manning.
Harold had been in failing health this winter and entered the Manning General Hospital where he died early Wednesday morning, March 13, 1996, at the age of 81 years and 3 months.

Besides his first wife, Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gilbert; and an infant sister.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice, of Manning; his children Charlotte and her husband, Neal Carstens, of Dow City; Sandra McCutcheon of Dow City; and Russell Potter of Austin, Minnesota; two step-children: Roxanne and her husband, Randy Collins, of Warrensburg, Missouri and Russell Ruhde and his wife, Deb, of Hinton, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Cristi Hidding, Cindi Staley, Chari Ueding, Teri Soto, Mike McCutcheon, Tim Potter, and Megan Potter; two step-grandchildren: Stuart Collins and Amy Ruhde; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters; Irene Hick of Guthrie Center; Lois and her husband, Lyle Linn, of Audubon; Pete Potter and his wife, Hazel, of Mitchellville, Iowa; and Edna Haskins of Kimballton; his mother- in-law, Kathrine Henriksen, of Denison; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Harold loved to dance and was a member of the Polka Club of America. He enjoyed fishing and traveling and spending winters in the south. Harold was a member of United Methodist Church in Manning.

Services were held Saturday, March 16, 1996 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ohde Funeral Home in Manning. Officiating the service was Reverend Larry McAlpine, United Methodist Church in Manning. Serving as organist was Janet Myer and vocalist Craig Ruhde. Interment was in the Dow City Cemetery. Casketbearers were Tim Potter, Mike McCutcheon, Gene Hick, Wayne Hick, Mike Potter and Richard Haskins. Honorary Casketbearers were Emmert Paulsen, Fritz Baldwin, Fred Spreng, Frank Case, Vernon Bielow, Roger Mohr and Dale Lafrentz.