Nancy Lee (Wonser) Potter

Nancy Lee Potter of Farmington, Michigan, passed away gracefully after a long battle with COPD on June 6, 2025 at the age of 89. She was born in Roxand Township, Michigan to Roy and Harriet (Calkins) Wonser.

Nancy was married to Gerald for 64 years. She was the loving mother of Debbie Potter and Jerry Jr. (Ellen) Potter, as well as a devoted grandmother to Zachary, Jack and Jacob Potter. She is also survived by her dear sister Ardyth (the late Durwood) Dow; nephews: Craig (Ongria) Dow, Kevin (Melanie) Dow, James (Linda) Potter, Gregg (Alison) Potter, Mark (Paula) Potter, Brian (Joey Pierre) Potter; nieces: Theresa (Charlie) Silm and Stephanie (Stephanie Lewis) Potter.

Nancy grew up on a farm and enjoyed raising and riding horses as a member of the FFA. She was the first female to compete in a tractor pull at the Eaton County Fair in 1955 where she placed first in her age group. After graduating from Grand Ledge High School, she went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Michigan State University. During her summer vacations, she waited tables at the now demolished hotel on Grand Island. She has always loved horses and lighthouses and detested U of M sport teams.

After Nancy and Gerald got married, at the Chapel on the MSU campus, they moved to Pontiac where she started teaching kindergarten. She later became a homemaker when they moved to Farmington. She was always active in her children’s lives and was the president of the Longacre Elementary PTA and the newly formed Farmington Soccer Club. She went to all of Debbie and Jerry’s sporting events and even tolerated the band concerts. She also contributed to the community with her membership in the Michigan Auxiliary Jaycees and maintained beautiful flower gardens at her treasured home on Oakland Street.

As her children got older, Nancy became instrumental in the advancement of soccer referees in the area and was a referee scheduler for Michigan Youth Soccer Association. She also spent time as a store clerk for Melnick’s Curiosity shop in downtown Farmington. This is where she developed a habit for collecting teddy bears. Later, she would use her creative skills to make dried flower arrangements, and most recently, wonderful homemade cards and scrapbook pages.

Visitation: Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a Funeral Service from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, 33603 Grand River Avenue, Farmington, Michigan 48335. Nancy’s favorite desserts will be on hand to share.

Graveside Interment: Friday, June 13, 2025 at noon at Meadowbrook Cemetery in Roxand Township, Michigan (GPS Coordinates Latitude 42.755500, Longitude –84.90280 Highway M43, four tenths of a mile from the intersection of M-43 and Mulliken Road) Luncheon immediately following at Roxand Township Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Residential Hospice Foundation: www.residentialhospicefoundation.org.