In Loving Memory

Beth Elnora Potts

Beth Elnora Potts, age 95, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2024 in the loving care of her daughter, Kathy.  Beth was born on December 1, 1928 in Deer Park, Washington to Clarence and Mary (Weaver) Gardiner.

Beth was raised in the Spokane area, attending school in the Mead School district.  Immediately following her graduation with the class of 1947, Beth would begin her postsecondary education, enrolling in St. Luke's nursing school.  It was here that she would meet William "Bill" Potts, a neighbor recently returned home from WWII, that she would quickly fall in love with.  The school's policy at the time was that women attending nursing school were not to be wed, meaning that Bill and Beth had to patiently bide their time until her nursing school was complete.

Just one day after her graduation, and during the largest snowstorm seen in years, Bill and Beth were wed on February 2, 1951.  The newlyweds would settle down on Moran Prairie, south of Spokane, and would welcome their first child, Kathy, in May of the following year.

Bill and Beth would go on to purchase a dairy farm, relocating to Chewelah with their daughter, Kathy in 1957, with Beth's parents joining on an adjacent farm a few years later.   The family would be complete with their son, Mark, whom they welcomed in 1963.  Beth would continue to work at St. Joseph's hospital overnight several nights a week for a time, although she would soon decide to remain at the home full time to raise the children while Bill painstakingly worked the dairy farm.

In her free time, Beth maintained flower and vegetable gardens with her husband Bill, along with a healthy number of indoor plants- a hobby her daughter, Kathy, happily continues.  She also had a curio cabinet constructed by Bill which housed her collectible dog figurines, and was an avid reader of Christian literature, from faith-based fiction to Christian history, Beth loved books that glorified the lord.

Beth was preceded by her loving husband, William "Bill" Potts; her parents, Clarence and Mary Gardiner; and her son-in-law, Stephen "Steve" Murbach.

She is survived by her children, Kathleen "Kathy" Murbach; Mark (Amy) Potts; her grandchildren, Staci Kerner, Shawn Murbach, and Stephen Murbach; and a brother-in-law, Tom Potts.

A period of public visitation for Beth will be held Monday, February 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chewelah Baptist Church, with her funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Beth will be laid to rest beside her husband, Bill at the Chewelah Memorial Park Cemetery.  Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory have been entrusted in care.