Carol Elizabeth Potratz

Carol Elizabeth (Miller) Potratz, born July 24, 1928, on her family’s Iowa farm, passed peacefully on July 11, 2026, surrounded by the legacy of a life marked by faith, service, and love.

Carol was the first child of Karl and Rose Miller and grew up in a home deeply rooted in Christian faith and family. From an early age, she learned the rhythms of caregiving and responsibility as her family welcomed siblings and relatives into their home. This early foundation shaped a life defined by compassion, humility, and devotion to others.

Raised in the Baptist church where generations of her family worshiped, Carol’s faith was central to her life. She professed her faith and was baptized at age nine and remained a devoted follower of Christ throughout her life, continually seeking a deeper relationship with God.

A gifted musician, Carol began piano lessons as a young child and used her musical abilities in church, ministry, and teaching for decades. She excelled academically and graduated as valedictorian of her high school class at age sixteen. She later attended Wheaton College, where she earned her BA in Music and prepared for a life of ministry.

Carol married Lorimer Dale Potratz, her lifelong love, and together they served churches and ministries across the United States and Canada. As a devoted pastor’s wife, mother, and partner in ministry, Carol faithfully supported her husband’s calling while raising five children. She served tirelessly as a church musician, teacher, homemaker, and mentor, creating a warm and welcoming home wherever they were called.

Later in life, Carol and Dale fulfilled their early missionary passion through international ministry, serving and encouraging missionaries across the globe. Following Dale’s passing in 1999, Carol continued to live out her faith with grace, finding new ministry opportunities, nurturing deep friendships, and remaining committed to missions, Bible study, and her family.

In January 2025, COVID significantly impacted Carol’s brain function, leading to a gradual decline. Even so, her peaceful spirit, gentle presence, and enduring faith continued to draw people to her, offering quiet comfort and grace to all who knew her.

Carol is lovingly remembered by:

Her five children and their spouses: Dan Potratz (Rhonda) of Billings, MT; Beth Kinnan (Gary) of Topeka, KS; Phil Potratz (Karen) of Murfreesboro, TN; Steve Potratz (Lindsay) of Overland Park, KS; and Rebecca Cussen (Dennis) of Stilwell, KS.

Her twelve grandchildren: Natasha Potratz (Joe Stout), Kristy Kinnan, Katrina Kinnan, Nicole Chambers (Christopher), Nathan Potratz, Joshua Potratz (Jordyn), Matthew Potratz, Mindy

Cussen, Katy Shellito (Austin), Sergei Creech, Tania Creech (Brandon Johnson), and Masha Creech.

Her seven great-grandchildren: Abigail Chambers, Madeleine Chambers, Ezekiel Chambers, Elizabeth Chambers, Andre Shellito, Milo Johnson, and Braylen Johnson.

She is also lovingly remembered by her sisters, Evelyn Lamb (Sam) and Clarissa Hoefler (Ed), as well as many extended family members, friends, and spiritual family whose lives were deeply touched by her faith, kindness, and unwavering devotion to Christ.

Her life stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness, the power of a servant’s heart, and a legacy of love that will endure for generations.

Memorial gifts may be made in Carol’s honor to Community Bible Study (communitybiblestudy.org)