Alvin Helmer Potratz was born June 9, 1929 in Donnybrook, North Dakota the son of Albert and Grace (Helmer) Potratz.

As a young man, Albert worked on his family farm in North Dakota and was a milkman. On December 2, 1950 Alvin was united in marriage to Donna Harland at the Lutheran Church in Dallas, North Dakota during a blizzard. Through the next 75 years their love survived many other storms of life. The couple lived in Moorhead, Minesota for a few years, before moving to Illinois in 1959. Alvin was an over-the-road truck driver and a proud teamster, and received the safety award for 42 years of driving excellence. He retired from John Deere as a transporter.

Alvin always helped others in need, whether it was a stranded motorist, a mother in need or helping build garages. Big or small, he answered any request for help. He was also very mechanically inclined, Alvin designed and built a near exact replica of the famous North River Steamboat or Clermont as it is commonly known. He also enjoyed restoring antique trucks, tractors, threshers and thresher engines. Fishing was another favorite pastime for Alvin. However, those who knew him best will remember his practical jokes, he had a great sense of humor and loved pranking friends and family. In their retirement years, Alvin and Donna enjoyed winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Alvin passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at the Comfort House, in Pella, Iowa, at the age of 97 years.

In addition to his parents, Alvin was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Diane Marie; daughter, Kathleen and her husband, Michael and his brothers, Albert, Jr. and Willis.

Those left to honor Alvin’s legacy include his devoted wife of 75 years, Donna; children: Julie (Don) Waltenberger of Pella and Mark (Brenda) Potratz of Festus, Missouri; four grandchildren: Benjamin (Brenda) Antoline of Champaign, Illinois, Grant Antoline of Champaign, Illinois, Katja Waltenberger of Waterloo, Iowa and Anya Waltenberger of Pella, Iowa; 2 great-grandchildren, Emma and Evan Antoline and many other family members and friends.

Alvin has been cremated and a private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Comfort House of Pella, Iowa.