Edwinna Mae (Hosmer) Potenski, born April 26, 1923, Clay Center County Hospital and was the eldest daughter of three of Edwin E. (Pete) Hosmer and Susanna (Kretz) Hosmer. She was a mother, grandma and a great-grandma. At the age of 97, Edwinna succumbed to the COVID 19 virus on the afternoon of November 6, 2020. She graduated from Clay Center County High School in 1941. She attended Brown Mackie Business School in Salina, Kansas Edwinna started working in Washington D.C. at the Defense Department in 1942. Shortly after, she met her husband Bill Potenski who was stationed on a ship there. They met at a roller rink and got married in Washington D.C. and Rose Marie was born there. Edwinna and Bill returned to Clay Center where a few years later, in 1950, they built their home on Lincoln street where Edwinna lived the rest of her life. Edwinna loved to bake dessert and made all kinds of cookies, cakes and pies and continued to bake all her life.
With her husband, the late William J Potenski and her son, the late Ron, they purchased Hosmer Sheet Metal Company from her father, Edwin E. (Pete) Hosmer in 1974. Her family, through her father and grandfather, Henry L. Hosmer, has owned a business in Clay Center since 1919. Her grandfather was a “tinner.”
Edwinna was an active member in her community where she belonged to the American Legion Auxilary and was the longest continuous member of 88 years. She was the ”Poppy Lady” of the year in 2017. She served in many offices during her lifetime and some of them included: vice-president, president, Membership , Historian, Executive board, Junior Activities, Child Welfare, Poppy Garden, Treasure, Constitution & Bylaws, Audit Committee, Membership, Girls State, Past Presidents and most recently on the Executive Board. Edwinna was a faithful member and will be greatly missed.
Edwinna was also an active member of the local V.F.W. and was a past-president. She was member of the Clay Center Busines and Professional Women’s Club since 1972. Edwinna was selected as Woman of the Year in 2002-2003. She has served as local treasurer, secretary, historian, scholarship chair as well as serving on the calling committee and numerous other committees.
Edwinna spent her early years raising five children She loved gardening, fishing and talking with her friends. She especially enjoyed cooking and baking was her passion. Edwinna not only baked for her family but also donated and shared her “goods” with others whenever possible. She also made and canned pickles, beets, green beans and tomatoes and tomato juice and salsa. Her cubboards were always full and she was ready to share her big supply. All were welcome to her home and especially to her dinner table.
Edwinna will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her; both family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin E. (Pete) Hosmer and Susanna (Kretz) Hosmer, her husband William (Bill) J. Potenski, son, Ronald D. Potenski,and her sisters. Betty Seese and Marie Anderegg. Edwinna is survived by her children, Rose Marie (Jim) Wilson of Fairfax Station, VA, William E, (Kathryn) Potenski of Clearwater, KS, Nancy J Stedl of Antioch, IL., Peggy (Phil) Williams of Abilene, KS. And her grandchildren Jason Stedl of Antioch, IL, Matthew (Bonny) Stedl, of Chicago, IL, John (Pooja) Stedl of Santa Monica, CA, Nicholas (Chelsea) Potenski of Olathe, KS, Christopher (Alyssa) Potenski, of Blue Springs, MO, Bennett (Amy) Williams of Joplin, MO, Preston of Burbank, CA, Tyler (Catherine) Williams of Fairbanks, AK; Great-grand children, Andrew, Rohan and Kamran Stedl, Cole, Adeline, Ella Williams and Henri, Louisa Williams and David and Alexandria Potenski.
Visitation: 3-6 PM, Thursday, November 19 at the funeral home. Family and friends will need to wear masks that cover the nose and mouth to enter.
Graveside services will stream live at 11 AM at https://www.facebook.com/nsrfuneralhome In person attendance is limited to family only