Arleen Potratz

Arleen Anita Irene Potratz (née Nitschke), age 92, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully at Parkview Health Center on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Arleen was born on November 9, 1932, in the town of Eldorado, Fond du Lac County, to Harvey and Edna Nitschke. On June 7, 1952, she married the love of her life, Carl "Duke" Potratz, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Nekimi.

Known affectionately as "Ma" to not only her family but also to the entire neighborhood, Arleen's greatest joy was caring for her family and creating a warm, welcoming home. She embraced her role as a devoted mother and homemaker, pouring love into everything she did. Outside of home, she worked at Miles Kimball Co., Standard Kollsman Co., and SNC Manufacturing, where she retired after 31 years in 1998.

Arleen cherished family summer vacations camping near Wabeno, playing endless games of sheepshead, and hosting gatherings that centered around laughter, food, and friendship. She hosted weekly dinners, and her door was always open for anyone who wanted to stop by for a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and a good chat.

Arleen is survived by her brother, Roger Nitschke; and her children (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!): Debra (Michael) Cushman; Calvin (Theresa), Warren (Janice), Glenn (Pauline), Russell (Wendy), Jeffrey (Susan), and Gregory (Amanda), all of Oshkosh; and Stanley (Chris) of Boscobel, WI. She is also survived by eighteen grandchildren - Christopher (Brittany) Potratz of Chillicothe, OH; Daniel (Amanda) Potratz of Stoughton, WI; Amy Koch of Dousman, WI; Allyson (Kelly) Rennebohm of New Berlin, WI; Bryan (Deyv) Potratz of Salt Lake City, UT; Zak (Kate) Potratz of Minneapolis, MN; Christine Cushman (Lee Nichols); Michael (Ann), Jennifer, Alexander, Madisen, Joseph, Elizabeth, Abigail, Caitlyn, and Benjamin Potratz, all of Oshkosh; Sammy Hernandez of La Crosse, WI; and Michele Chacon of Racine, WI - along with eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; her parents, Harvey and Edna Nitschke; sister, Dorothy Achterberg; brother, Donald Nitschke; sisters-in-law, Betty and Jan Nitschke; brother-in-law, Ivan Achterberg; and nephews, Gary and Tom Achterberg. She was also preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Albert and Anna Potratz; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Lawrence (Mildred) Potratz, Gilbert (Alice) Potratz, Elda (Art) Strey, Margaret (Harvey) Ahlswede, Ruth (Ray) Tessendorf; and an infant sister-in-law, Edna Potratz.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Arleen's "second family" the staff at Parkview Health Center for their kind, compassionate, and exceptional care. We are sure that if she could thank you in person, it would be accompanied by one of her many stories. She loved and appreciated every day with you.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 14, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home Westside, 100 Lake Pointe Drive, Oshkosh. A service will follow, officiated by Parkview's Chaplain Dan Krause. Interment will take place at Lake View Memorial Park, on Saturday, November 15, at 11:00 a.m.