Pat Landstrom, age 90, of Huron, passed away Monday, April 23, 2018, at the Huron Regional Medical Center. Her funeral service was held at 10:30 AM Thursday at the Congregational United Church of Christ. Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery. A memorial has been established at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Huron.
Patricia Jean was born in Huron on January 8, 1928, to J. Keith and Helen (Wilkens) Potter. She was Valedictorian of every grade from K through 12, graduating in 1945. She was first chair violin as an HHS freshman. Throughout her school years and later she played in an orchestra that performed for events all over eastern South Dakota. Starting at age 12, she helped her parents at Potter's Shoes after school, holidays, and every summer. As a young girl she learned to be a dancer and acrobat. She used to walk on her hands down the entire block at 12th and Illinois! She was invited to perform at events including one for South Dakota Governor, Tom Berry.
She began college at University of South Dakota, and became a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, (as eventually did her daughter and granddaughter) later graduating Rockford College in Illinois, 1949.
After college she lived in Minneapolis, and during that time she worked at a brokerage firm; Dayton's shoe dept.; as an instructor for a modeling school; and as secretary for the Minneapolis school board. Soon she met Tom. They had such great times together and became good friends with members of the original Lakers basketball team, Jim Pollard and George Mikan. Pat and Tom were married at the Congregational Church in Huron, June 1953. In 1955, they joined the family business, Potter's Shoes. Pat devoted herself to it, became the owner, and worked full-time until the age of 88.
She was a loyal 90-year member of the Congregational United Church of Christ, and also contributed resources and time to many Huron community organizations. Pat was one remarkable person and an exceptional example of the greatest generation that lived gratefully and selflessly.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Bush) Fullerton, Huron; three sons, Bob (Jane), Huron, Jim (Karen), Holmen, WI and Todd (Carrie), Omaha, NE; five Landstrom grandchildren, Jeff (Mandi), Tanner (Emma), Sam, Elaina and Anna; step great-grandchild, Jaxon; and close cousins, Bob Potter and Bill Jones.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2012.