Rudolph R. Potratz, Jr., 82, of Iowa City, formerly of Readlyn, died Monday, November 13, 2017, at Windmill Manor in Iowa City.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2017, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn with Rev. Ronnie Koch officiating. Interment will follow at the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held for an hour preceding the funeral service at the church on Friday. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. 

Rudolph Richard, Jr. son of Rudolph, Sr. and Agatha (Dettmering) Potratz was born July 11, 1935, on the family farm, rural Westgate. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Westgate and received his early education at St. Peter Lutheran School and Country School, rural Westgate. On July 11, 1954, he was united in marriage with Shirley Buhr at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. The couple made their home in Stanley, prior to moving to Tripoli in 1969. They remained in Tripoli until moving to Readlyn in 1979. Rudy worked at Chamberlains in Waterloo for forty years. He moved to Iowa City six years ago due to health concerns and to be closer to family. Rudy was a long time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn and enjoyed camping.

Rudy is survived by his eight children, Lorna Potratz of Waterloo, Marnita Gerhardt of Center Point, Michelle Potratz of Center Point, Loren Potratz of Iowa City, Calvin Potratz of Iowa City, Kermit (Robin) Potratz of Fayetteville, North Carolina, James Potratz of Center Point, and Jeff Potratz of Center Point, five grandchildren, Denise (Aaron) Brislawn, Aaron (Harmony) Gerhardt, Jenniphyr Seay Forrest Potratz, and Taylor Potratz; five great-grandchildren and one on the way; three sisters, Doris Gruetzmacher of Oelwein, Verla (Jack) Mullins of Center Point, and Elinor (Lee) Alshouse of Marion;  one brother-in-law, Bob Bartels of Oelwein; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, and wife, Shirley, who died in 1992, he was preceded in death by his brother, Milton Potratz; and five sisters, Marlys Homeyer, Paula Meyer, Rudina Dallenbach, Melba Huebner, and Eileen Bartels.