Helen Claire (Colmery) Pottorf was born to Frederick William Colmery and Edith Lyle Dallam Colmery on September 29, 1929, in Harlingen Texas. She went to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 2, 2024, at the Meadow Wind Assisted Living in Casper, Wyoming with her family by her bedside. Helen was the only child in this family, and she grew up in San Benito, Texas. She always reminisced about growing up near the Gulf of Mexico in the southern tip of Texas, experiencing the beauty of the Gulf but also the furious nature of hurricanes. At an early age Helen figured out that picking cotton was not her cup of tea.

Helen left home for college to the University of Colorado in Boulder to study nursing. There she met her soulmate, Fred Duain Pottorf, Jr. They married on April 12, 1952, and spent 64 years together in Holly, Colorado. Instead of going into the nursing profession, she partnered with Fred in the ownership and operation of the Holly Chieftain and then the Holly Publishing Co. from 1952 to 1995. After retirement Fred and Helen continued living in Holly but enjoyed travel throughout the US visiting family, friends and joining several bus tours to parts of the US they had not visited.

Helen was a highly active member (along with Fred) in the Holly United Methodist Church, as a choir member, women’s club member, and held many positions within the church board over the years. Helen had a servant’s heart, and she gave much of her time and talents to many activities within the church, such as assisting with BINGO and other activities at the Holly Nursing Home, the yearly Holly Fair dinner, and Christmas Bazaar. She also belonged to other organizations in the community, such as the Holly Alumni Association, Holly Commercial Club, and Holly Historical Society. She was always ready to help neighbors that were shut-ins or ones suffering from their own ailments. One of Helen’s close friends recalls that Helen’s main “group” was the myriad of friends that she reached through her phone. Helen was a committed organizer, a devoted friend, and mentor to many people throughout the Holly community. After she moved to Casper, she became active in her facilities’ social programs, enjoying making new friends, and assisting those friends as best she could. She also enjoyed being an active member of the women’s club at the First United Methodist Church in Casper.

Helen is survived by her four children: Annette (Jerry) Rudrude of Casper, WY their 3 children, Brett (Diane) Rudrude of Cibolo, TX their 3 children Raygan, Sydney, Mackenzy; Melanie (Jim) Giannelli of Richmond Hill, GA, their 2 children, Arianna and Lyla; Wendy (Eddie) Reyes of Casper, WY,  their 3 children Emma, Adela and Eddie; Richard (Sherry) Pottorf of Easton, PA, their 3 children, Brad Pottorf of Fairfax, VA, Ryan (Jenn) Pottorf of Bloomsbury, NJ their 2 children Arabella and Caleb, Andrew (Nora) Pottorf of Cambridge, UK; Kent (Ann) Pottorf of Garden City, KS, and son Hud Floyd of Marina Del Ray, CA; and Sharon (Samuel) Valdez  of Oviedo, FL their 3 children Jalisa (Rob) DePriest of Grand Junction, CO, Darien Pottorf-Dixon of Wildwood, FL, and Matthew (Michael) Ross, of Orlando, FL, brother-in-law Barry Georgopulos of Denver, CO, and sister-in-law Suzie Pottorf, of Lochbuie, CO.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Edith; her parents-in-law, Fred, Sr., and Eva Pottorf; husband of 64 years, Fred; brothers-in-law, Dale, Rodney, and George; one sister-in-law, Bea; and granddaughter, Abigail Anne Pottorf.

The family plans to hold a memorial service in Summer of 2025, in Holly, CO, at the Holly Methodist Church, with inurnment in the Holly Cemetery to follow.  Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s name to the Holly Methodist Church or the Holly Historical Society. Valley Funeral and Cremation is in charge of arrangements.