JoAnn Potter

JoAnn Potter passed away peacefully on February 28, 2024 with her daughter, Sherri, by her side. JoAnn was born on January 22, 1935 in Eagle, Colorado to Gordon and LaVeta Whittaker.

Growing up on her family ranch on Brush Creek in Eagle, Colorado, JoAnn cherished the memories of her childhood. JoAnn and her brother Jack were always up to no good, with Jack typically leading the way. The five siblings, Bill, Jack, JoAnn, Mary and Jerry took on the everyday responsibilities of tending to the ranch by raising cattle and sheep after their long walk back up the hill from school. The siblings would ride in the back of the family pick-up truck bouncing up and down to help the truck get traction up the road to the ranch during the winter months.

JoAnn shared countless stories from her youth. From the siblings linking hands to grab the electrical fence surrounding the pasture just for some fun, skiing at the Whittaker Ski Hill that her father, Gordon, started for the town of Eagle, and working for $1.75 a day at the Lucky G J Dude Ranch in Gypsum.

JoAnn and her husband of 56 years, Dewaine Potter met when JoAnn was working as a waitress at the Harrison’s Cafe in Eagle in 1956. JoAnn and Dewaine, along with their son, Jack, spent the next 15 years chasing oil rigs around the Rockies before moving to Anchorage, Alaska in 1969. The family adopted their daughters, Sherri and Bobbi, before giving birth to their son, Rhett.

Dewaine and JoAnn moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1992 to be closer to family. JoAnn always stayed close to her relatives, visiting them as often as she could. JoAnn will always be remembered for her selflessness, being the family caregiver and never leaving an animal in need to fend for itself. JoAnn welcomed everyone into her home with open arms and never missed an opportunity to share stories of her life with her children and grandchildren.

JoAnn is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Rosie Whittaker (Aurora, CO); brother, Jerry Whittaker (Grand Junction, CO); son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Terri Potter (Anchorage, AK); daughter, Sherri Potter (Grand Junction, CO); daughter, Bobbi Adzima (Anchorage, AK); son, Rhett Potter (Salt Lake City, UT); and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Dewaine; brother, Bill; sister, Mary Ann and brother-in-law, Joe; sister-in-law’s, Fran and Candy.