Fred D. Pottorf, Jr….July 17, 1926 – January 11, 2016

Funeral services for Holly, Colorado resident, Fred Pottorf will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2016 at United Methodist Church in Holly, CO. Interment will follow at Holly Cemetery in Holly, CO. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2016 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, CO.

Fred Duain Pottorf, Jr. was born on July 17, 1926 in Hastings, NE. to Fred and Eva (Vilmur) Pottorf , Sr. Fred and his family moved to Loveland, CO. while Fred was in grade school. His family then moved to Kremmling, CO. where he graduated high school. Fred worked in the Middle Park Times newspaper office in Kremmling as a “printer’s devil”. In 1945, he joined the Navy where he served 15 months. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Fred went to the University of Colorado in Boudler, CO, where he graduated from journalism school in 1951.

Fred married Helen Colmery on April 22, 1952 and to this union 4 children were born, Annette, Rick, Kent, and Sharon. After working for the paper in Ordway, Fred had a chance to work for the Holly Chieftain in 1952. Fred bought into a partnership with the newspaper, eventually owning the same newspaper, and a publishing company with Helen. They sold the newspaper to the Lamar Daily News in 1975. The business continued as a publishing company until 1995, when they retired.

Upon retirement, the Pottorf’s started enjoying fishing, camping trips, and visiting relatives. Fred had a setback in health in 1993, but recovered enough to buy a travel trailer in 1994 and enjoyed many camping trips thereafter. Fred and Helen even took a 5 week trip to see the Eastern United States in 1996. Fred had another setback with health problems in 2001 and a heart attack in 2006. Following the recovery of his health issues, Fred and Helen took several very enjoyable bus tours for a few years.

Fred has served on the Holly Town Council, Lions Club, American Legion, Holly Commercial Club, Holly scout master, lay speaker and board member for the United Methodist Church in Holly, and board for the Lamar Area Hospice.

In August of 2013, Fred entered the Holly Nursing Care Center, where he resided until passing away on January 11, 2016 at the age of 89.

Fred is survived by wife, Helen of 63 years; daughter, Annette and husband, Jerry Rudrude of Casper, WY; son, Rick, and wife, Sherry Pottorf of Indianapolis, IN; son, Kent and wife, Ann Pottorf of Garden City, KS; and daughter, Sharon and husband, Sam Valdez, of Winter Park, FL; sister, Bea and husband, Barry Georgopulos of Denver, CO; sisters-in-law, Glenda Pottorf, of Eugene, OR, Suzie Pottorf, of Lochbouie, CO, and Mary Pottorf of Tucson, AZ; 14 grandchildren and 6 great-granddaughters plus 1 great-granddaughter on the way; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Richard, Dale, Rodney, and George; sister, Patsy; and granddaughter, Abigail Pottorf.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lamar Area Hospice, Holly United Methodist Church or donor’s choice in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, CO, 81052.

For more information or to leave online condolences, please visit www.valleymemorialfc.com.