Bob Pottorff

Bobby Ray Pottorff, Sr was born on December 6th, 1936, to Glenn and Leona (Cook) Pottorff at the family’s home in Mt Ayr, Iowa. He was the third of six children. He passed away peacefully on July 12, 2023, at Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Bob graduated from Mount Ayr High School in 1956. He wanted to serve in the military alongside his lifelong friends, but an early childhood tragedy left Bob’s leg severely scared and limited in its use. This never limited how he lived his life.

He worked for Harrison Link shortly after high school delivering and picking milk and eggs. Bob also was a truck driver hauling gravel and dirt, and a magazine salesman. Between 1956 and 1958, he left Mount Ayr to go to California on 2 separate times; once to work for a Standard Oil Company and once to work for a bank. Upon returning home, he hauled hay and started shearing sheep with his father Glenn and sold cars with his cousin, Calvin. He also sold Insurance for a while and discovered his love of racing out at the Mount Ayr Racetrack until 1971. During that time, he managed and operated the Fina station in Mt Ayr sometime in the late 1960s to early into the 70’s. He then focused on building fences. He and his crew built many all over the United States that still stand today. His most joyous job was his last one which was working at Terrible’s Casino in Osceola as a card dealer. In his retirement, Bob enjoyed traveling.

On September 20th, 1958, he was united in marriage to Jane Clark of Creston, Iowa. Then later, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Wood in 2002 at Mount Ayr, Iowa. Bob’s family grew to have 9 children.

Bob was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, in-Law, cousin, and a good friend. He connected in so many positive ways to everyone he met. Strangers did not stay strangers for long.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Mary Ann (Wood) Pottorff of Mount Ayr, Iowa; his children Rhonda (Mike) Almquist of Essex, IA, Pam (Archie) McCord of Grant City. MO, Tilena (Jory) Dunlap of Mount Ayr, IA, Randy (Angie) Pottorff of Winterset, IA, Mike O’Malia of Belmont, WI, LeAnne (Pat) Walsh Cherokee, IA, Shawn (Katie) O’Malia of Montgomery, AL; his grandchildren James Meek, Michael Meek, Samantha (Skylar) Meek, Rufenaught, Alex (Dustin) Bonjour, Nixie Pottorff, Logan Meylor-O’Malia, Garrett Cameron-O’Malia, Lansdon O’Malia, Jonn (Hillary) Walsh, Jenna (Drew) Jacobson, McKayla Hartle, Hali (William) Vandermark, Triston O’Malia, Ashley (Troy) Gilmore, Alicia (Austin) Pratt, Aaron Almquist, Adam Almquist, Bradley McCord, Sydney (Jarred) McCord, Wesley (Sarah ) McCord; many great grandchildren; his brother and sisters Delores (Lee) Ayers of Webster City, IA, Glenda (Paul) Kasper of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Janet Perry of Ellsworth, IA, and Gary (Gloria) Pottorff of Indianola, IA; other relatives; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by 2 of his sons, Bobby Ray Pottorff, Jr of Mount Ayr, IA and Kevin Wayne O’Malia of Waukee, IA; his sister Rojean Loughry; parents Glenn Edward Pottorff and Leona E (Cook) Pottorff and many loved and treasured in-laws.

A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided later.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 22, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm with a celebration of life service beginning at 4:00 pm, all at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr.