Harriett Ackerson Potmesil, known to everyone as Polly, passed away at age 91 in Alliance, Nebraska on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Polly enjoyed her last days on earth smiling, sharing stories and singing along enthusiastically with family to favorite songs from the 1940’s to the present. Her faith in God’s love was strong. Polly was preceded in death by her husband of over 55 years, James Vaclav Potmesil, her parents Clifton and Harriet Ackerson, her older sisters Kathleen “Pat” Foote and Chris Houseman, her daughter Kathleen Jo Potmesil and son Shannon Potmesil. Polly is survived by four children: Chris (Jean) and husband Ken; Stuart (Wanbli); Scott (Becky); and Reed (Lance) Dye, many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and two good childhood friends whom she stayed in touch with till the end, JoAnne Tuin and Ted Jeary.
Polly’s memorial service will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church in Alliance at 515 Emerson Ave with Reverend Sue Spencer officiating. Per Polly’s wishes, the memorial date was set so that March calving season and branding would not be disrupted and visitors could enjoy the green grass of the Sandhills.
Polly was born on November 21, 1932 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her childhood was full of adventure, visits with cousins in Minnesota and Michigan and making fast friends wherever she was. As was true for much of her generation, her father’s World War II Army deployment brought on several moves. These included living with extended family in Milan, Michigan and then moving to be with her parents at Army posts near Monterey, California and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. She returned to Lincoln after the end of the war and graduated from Northeast High School.
Polly attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and was a devoted member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. In the summer of 1953, she took a summer job on the Briggs family ranch and she was “thrilled with everything in the Sandhills”. That is where she first met Jim Potmesil, a rancher from a neighboring ranch. They were married in First Plymouth Church, Lincoln. Polly and Jim began their life together on their ranch at the end of the trail north of Antioch, living and working there for decades as their family grew and they worked hard to develop their herd. Polly and Jim completed an American Breeders short course in Wisconsin in 1961 where they learned the veterinarian artificial insemination techniques for more successful cattle breeding. She was the first woman to complete this training and together she and Jim significantly expanded its use in their herd.
In the early 1960’s Polly was instrumental in improving access to their ranch and all their neighbors’ places along the rutted sandy prairie trail which was difficult to use in just about any weather. Polly gathered support for and successfully lobbied agencies such as Federal Farm to Table funds and the Nebraska Legislature for funding to provide an oil road for the 14 miles from Highway 2 at Antioch. Polly was a member of and participated in the “Cowbelles” organization which was the ladies auxiliary of the Nebraska Stockgrower’s Association. Polly also maintained a managing role in the ranch for years. She filled the table with delicious homegrown steaks or pot roast with all the trimmings, helped to feed many a hungry branding crowd, enjoyed rodeos throughout the ranch country, planted lovely flower beds and sang and danced when the spirit moved her. Ranch life may have been isolated but she made sure to keep her family connected to the rest of the world. Polly warmly welcomed family from near and far, several international exchange students and great hired helpers into her home and kept in touch with many over the years.
Polly’s circle was wide and she will be missed by many, for her smile, her opinions, her life fully lived and her love. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Ft. Robinson Post Playhouse in Polly’s name. Checks may be made out to Post Playhouse, Inc., and mailed to Post Playhouse C/O Jim Gardner, Casey Peterson CPA Firm, P.O. Box 447, Chadron, NE 69337 or donate online at: www.postplayhouse.com/support. You can also call Em Laudeman, development director, at 574-261-8840 to make donations over phone or with questions.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.