Doris Geneva Pothast

Doris G. Pothast, 87, of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 23rd, at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Friday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.


Doris Geneva Ingvalson Kittelson Pothast was born on August 12, 1921 in rural Spring Grove, MN, the daughter of Ingman and Henrietta Josephine (Bersie) Ingvalson. She was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church and attended the Newhouse rural school near Spring Grove and Exie rural school in Winneshiek Co., IA. Following her father's death when she was in the 8th grade, Doris worked as a housekeeper for several area families. On March 7, 1945 she married Orville Kittelson at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, north of Decorah, IA. They farmed together in Highland Township until Orville's death in 1955. She moved to Spring Grove where she worked at the factory and also at a clothing store in Caledonia, MN. On April 26, 1957 she married Donald Pothast at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union, IA. Doris and Don lived in Waukon, IA, where she did alterations for Jacobi's Clothing, sold Avon products, and gave hearing tests for AEA at numerous area schools.

Doris was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon where she was active in the Altar Guild, WELCA, Ladies Circle and served as a sponsor for Luther League. She enjoyed playing cards and having coffee and visits with her friends and neighbors, often doing their hair for them as part of the visit. She was a good cook and baker and her Norwegian rosettes were always in high demand. Her dog, Tuffy, was a faithful companion for many years. In spite of a busy life and working in numerous jobs, Doris' passion was always her family. Many wonderful times were spent together playing cards and games, visiting on the phone till the wee morning hours, and enjoying all-day shopping excursions. She was extremely devoted to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband Don Pothast of Waukon; 4 daughters, Doreen (Larry) Nolting of Cedar Rapids, IA, Lynn (Roger) Ellefson of Waterville, IA, Pam (Larry) Dundee of Waukon, and Lori Knutson of La Crosse, WI; 12 grandchildren, Kim (Mitch) Johnk, Nikki (Jason) Sullivan, Ross and Kristin Ellefson, Stacy (Eric) Wyninger, Christie Dundee, Joshua, Amanda, Josiah and Seth Tallman, Heather Medd, and David Knutson; 11 great-grandchildren, Austin, Karlee, and Morgan Johnk, Logan, Brady, Justine, Kaden, and "baby-on-the-way" Sullivan, Riley and Shelby Wyninger, and McKenzie Medd; a sister, Avis Glasrud, and a sister-in-law, Mavis Ingvalson, both of Spring Grove, MN; and a very special family friend, Liz Hart of Waukon. She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Orville Kittelson; 3 brothers, Alvin, Gilman, and Tilferd (Pearl) Ingvalson; 3 sisters, Leona (Roy) Tyrebakken, Irene (Herbert) Larson, and Bernice (Harold) Gjere; and a brother-in-law, Paul Glasrud.

Honorary casketbearers are her nieces and nephews, Don Larson, Diane Sherburne, Janet Wold, Harriet Holland, Sharon Luidahl, Gary Glasrud, Terry Ingvalson, Holly Thorsen, Sandy Chaput, and Dean Ingvalson. Casketbearers are Ross Ellefson, Joshua, Josiah, and Seth Tallman, David Knutson, Mitch Johnk, Jason Sullivan, and Eric Wyninger.