Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Nelda Pearl Potter, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, friend, and life-long Oregon resident, passed away on Aug. 19, 2026, at the age of 92 while residing in Florence Oregon. She is survived by her four children: Marc Potter, Paul Potter, Steve Potter and Sheila Blacketer; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was born in The Dalles, Oregon, on Aug. 24, 1933, to Paul and Alma (Haynes) Benedict. She attended grade school and graduated high school in Dufur, Oregon, and then she was accepted to Northwestern Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, to pursue a degree in education. On Oct. 1, 1955, Nelda married Rodney Gary Potter, a veteran and local sawmill worker. Throughout her life, Nelda worked as a kindergarten teacher, an Avon representative, and as a recorder in the offices of the Dufur Ranger Station and the Dufur City Hall.
Nelda was a spiritual woman who was involved in many church activities, including playing the piano, leading worship during services, and teaching Sunday school. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.
There will be a viewing between 2–6 p.m. on Sept. 12 at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home, located at 1100 Kelly Ave., The Dalles. A funeral service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the Dufur Christian Church, 315 Harrison St., Dufur, Oregon. Pastor Tim Fain will officiate.
Columbia Gorge News, Sept. 9, 2026
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
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Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.