Mary Joan Potts

YANKTON, S.D. — Mary Joan Potts, 81, Yankton, S.D., formerly of Fordyce, died Nov. 3, 2020, at the Angelhaus Senior Living, Yankton, S.D.

Private Family Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 6 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce, with the Rev. An Duy Phan officiating.

Burial was at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Fordyce.

Private visitation was Friday morning at church until service time. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Pallbearers were her grandsons, E.J. Escamilla, Jorden Escamilla, Travis Potts, Tyler Potts, Brady Potts and Adam Dorfman.

Mary Joan was born Dec. ,23, 1938 in Yankton, S.D., to Russell and Mary (Zavadil) Bunge. She grew up in Yankton and graduated from Mount Marty High School. Mary Joan started working for the Yankton Medical Clinic after high school. She married Roman Theodore Potts Oct. 13, 1959, in Fordyce.

While raising her four children, she began her marketing career at Gurney Seed and Nursery, Yankton, in 1970. Joan truly enjoyed working on the layout of the catalog with the printing and publishing firm in Chicago. After Gurney’s closed its doors, Mary Joan decided to retire.

Mary Joan was a member of the St. John the Baptist Church. She loved traveling, cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading and had hundreds of books in her collection. Mary Joan also enjoyed painting in watercolors.

Mary Joan is survived by her three children Renee Escamilla, Torrington, Wyo.; Julie Potts, Glendale, Ariz.; and Mike Potts, Norfolk; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roman, Nov. 7, 2011, at the age of 77; son, Jeff Potts; and grandson, Michael Escamilla.