Ron was Born July 21, 1948 to William Joseph and Edwinna Mae (Hosmer) Potenski in Clay Center, Kansas. At the age of 72, Ron succumbed to the COVID 19 virus on the evening of November 5, 2020 He graduated from Clay County Community High School in 1966 and attended Kansas State University before enlisting in the Navy, May 6, 1968. He served during the Vietnam War aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington based in Pensacola, FL. Ron received a National Defense Service Award while in the Navy. He was discharged January 30, 1974. He returned home to Clay Center that year, obtained his electrician and plumber licenses and with his father and mother started their business of Potenski and Son Heating and Cooling. Ron, also, worked as a substitute rural mail carrier and eventually became a full-time rural mail carrier for the Clay Center Post Office. He retired from the Post Office and continued to work at his business of Potenski and Son Heating and Cooling until his death. Ron was an active member of the community through the support of the American Legion, serving on the board of C & R Credit Union, as a City Council Member, and as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Clay Center. Ron’s first love was his gardens and growing and tending all his vegetables. He grew many varieties of tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, cucumbers and green beans in particular. The garden produced an abundance of vegetables so that his mom, Edwinna, could can and freeze all she wanted but they always had enough to give away to friends and neighbors. His second love came later in life. He found the joy of Polka Dancing and that is where he met his dancing partner for life, Althea Kenkel. They traveled from Texas to Minnesota to Ohio and in between to Polka dances and festivals and made many friends during their adventures. They were often seen dancing on Molly B’s Polka Party on RFD TV. Ron loved his cat, Blackie, and would spoil him all the time. Ron loved his family very much. He was known to spoil his nephews and they loved his dearly.
Ron was with his mother every day and often twice a day. Ron was very caring, loving, and had a bright smile and a sense of humor. He was a best friend anyone could have. Ron was extremely articulate in everything he did; he always went above and beyond. He enjoyed life and will be greatly missed by all his family and all who knew and loved him.
Ron was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edwin E. (Pete ) Hosmer and Susanna (Kretz) Hosmer, and his father, William (Bill) Joseph Potenski He was survived by his mother, Edwinna, who outlived him less than 24 hours, also a victim of the COVID 19 virus. He is survived by his siblings, Rose Marie (Jim) Wilson, William E. (Kathryn) Potenski, Nancy Jean Stedl, and Peggy Ann (Philip) Williams, nephews, Jason, Matthew, and John L. Stedl, Nicholas and Christopher Potenski, and Bennett, Preston and Tyler Williams as well as great- nephews and nieces, Andrew Stedl, and Rohan and Kamran Stedl, Cole, Adeline and Ella Williams, and Henri and 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