Neil K. Potter, 85, of Griswold, IA died Thursday morning, April 22, 2010 at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Neil Kenneth Potter was born on the Potter family homestead southwest of Griswold, IA, on May 15, 1924 the son of Ira Cornelius and Gladys Pearl (Gifford) Potter. He attended country schools and graduated from Griswold High School in 1943. In 1944 he was called to serve his country in the US Army during WWII. He was a part of Company C, 382nd Infantry, 96th Division serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. He saw combat in Okinawa and helped with postwar operations in the Philippines. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home to the farmland he loved in Pottawattamie County. On August 1, 1948 he was united in marriage to Ruby Mae Hackett at Oakland. They farmed southwest of Griswold for 40 years until Ruby's death on October 4, 1988. Neil continued to live there and work the land for another 22 years. Neil was a member of the Griswold United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of Griswold American Legion Post #508, served as its Commander and later Chaplin for many years and held offices on the county and regional level.

Preceding Neil in death were his parents, his wife, his daughter Nancy Jean Hansen on January 31, 1982, his son-in-law Frank Dees, his brothers Allan and Delmar, one nephew and one grandnephew. Upon Neil's death, he became an organ-tissue donor.

Neil is survived by his two daughters; Marcia Beer and Donna Dees of Omaha, and his three sons; Kenneth (Diane) Potter of Belton, TX, Curtis (Pamela) Potter of Chillicothe, OH and Norman (Linda) Potter of Lewis, IA. Also surviving are his 10 grandchildren; Jacqueline and Jennifer Beer of Omaha, Ryan (Trish) Dees of Clovis, NM, Brenda (David) Johnston of Omaha, Benjamin (Celeste) Potter of Charlottesville, VA, Michael Hansen of Atlantic, Kayla and Deidre Potter of Chillicothe, OH and Blake and Reba Potter of Lewis, 2 step-grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 1 niece, 5 nephews and several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 26, 2010 at 10:30 at the Griswold United Methodist Church, Pastor Leila Blackburn officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Flint Cemetery. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold and the family will be present from 2:00 to 4:00 Sunday afternoon. A memorial fund has been established.