Nathan C. Potratz

Nathan C. Potratz (age 75) passed away peacefully in his home in Omro on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.  He was born on March 10, 1947, in Oshkosh, the son of the late Victor and Margaret (Wilke) Potratz.

Nate was an Army veteran, having served a four-year tour at the Iron Curtain in Germany both protecting and supplying West Berlin.  He was formerly employed with Sommerfeld Welding, C. R. Meyer, and with P.G. Miron Construction as an operating engineer.  He also worked with his brothers at Potratz Concrete Pumping.  He was proud of the many area buildings he helped construct, such as Miller Park, Wisconsin Tissue Mills, and the Fox Cities PAC.  He used “retirement” as an opportunity to do the work he loved best—farming with his son—which he continued until the very end.  He also enjoyed hunting trips with his brothers, nephews, and grandsons.  He was passionate collector of tractors and guns.  Nate’s work ethic, his enthusiasm, and his zest for life despite all the adversity of his later years were an inspiration to all who knew him.

Nate is survived by his wife, Sharon Potratz; children Tina (Jim) Schettle and Nick Potratz; grandsons Nathan and Seth Schettle; siblings V. Jay (Nancie) Potratz, Brenda (Tom) Ellis, Tony (Vicki) Potratz, Sid (Carol) Potratz, Renny (Nancy) Potratz, and Lonny (Cheryl) Potratz; sisters-in-law Jo Potratz, Dorothy (Pat) Szymik, Debbie Murray, and Shirley Griffen; as well as innumerable nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his siblings Sadonna Gurley, Daniel Potratz, and siblings-in-law Mary Potratz and Greg Murray.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, April 29, 2022 at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home, 100 Lake Pointe Drive (on the corner of Witzel Ave. and Lake Pointe Drive).  Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Friday from 1:00 pm until the time of the service.

Nate’s family wishes to extend enormous gratitude to all the caregivers who assisted Nate through his last year of life: the staff of Edenbrook of Oshkosh, Aurora Medical Center, Aurora at Home, St. Luke’s Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital, Cabulance and especially his private caregivers.  Your exceptional care and compassion were a tremendous blessing both to Nate and to us.