Fortโฃ Dodge โLoses โคVeteran, Heavy equipmentโฃ Operator Daniel Potratz
SACRAMENTO,โฃ CA – Daniel Paulโ Potratz, 75, a former โคFort Dodge resident adn veteran of theโ U.S.โ Airโฃ Force, died peacefully September 18, 2024, at a VA Hospital in Sacramento, California, following a โขshort illness. Potratz’s passing marks a loss for the Fort Dodge โcommunity, โคwhere he spent his formative โคyears and remained connected โthrough family and remembrance events.
Born october 8, 1949, in โEmmetsburg, Iowa, to Paul and Lois โค(Kelly) Potratz, Dan’s life journey took him from rural Whittemore, Iowa, to a distinguished career โoperating heavy equipment with the Operating Engineers local 3 โคUnion in California. โHis dedication toโ hisโฃ craft spanned โdecades, culminating in a 2018โ retirement, and his story reflects a commitment to service-both in the military and through his work-that resonates with many in the region. A Festivity of Lifeโข will โbe held Novemberโฃ 2nd in fort Dodge, offering an possibility for friends and family to honor his memory.
Potratzโ was raised in Whittemore before hisโ family relocated to โFort Dodge, where he attended fort Dodge seniorโ high. Following graduation, he โhonorably served in the U.S.โค Air Force from 1968 to 1972. Upon his return toโ civilian life, โฃhe began a long tenure with National Gypsum, working there until 1988. That year,โฃ he moved with his family to Sacramento, California, where he joinedโฃ Operatingโ Engineers Local 3, becoming a skilled heavy โequipment operator.
He is survived by his wife, Scarlett; children, โฃSal (Deanya) Potratz and Carey โฃPotratz; grandchildren, Keely (Brodey) Huffman, Danica Potratz, Keahi Potratz, and Lyman Potratz; great-granddaughter, Adalee Huffman; brothers, Jim (Karol) Potratz, Jonโ (Sandy) Potratz, and Mike Potratz; sisters, Sandiโ (Robin) โDancel, Karen (Jim) Grove, โฃand Mary Potratz, along with her daughter, jordan; and numerous โคnieces and nephews.
Potratz was preceded in death by hisโ parents, Paul andโ lois Potratz, andโ his son, Corey Potratz. The celebration of Life will take placeโฃ at Rides Banquet Center in Fort Dodge โfrom 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2nd.