Anita Louise Stuen Potthoff

January 20, 1925 - August 24, 2019

Posted

Anita Louise Stuen Potthoff, beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, and Port Townsend resident for almost 70 years, died August 24, 2019 in Anacortes at the age of 94.

The youngest of four children, Anita was born in Tacoma on January 20, 1925 to Ole J. Stuen and Agnes Hougen Stuen, and grew up in Parkland in a house on what is now the site of Stuen Hall on the Pacific Lutheran University campus. Ole immigrated from Norway in 1902 and was a professor and librarian at Pacific Lutheran. Prior to marriage, Agnes worked as Dean of Women Students at Pacific Lutheran; her father, Johan Hougen, came from Norway as an infant in 1857, became a Lutheran pastor, and served congregations in the Midwest and Tacoma. A lifelong Lutheran, Anita was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran High School, and from Pacific Lutheran College (PLC) in 1946 with a degree in English and a minor in Botany. An excellent student at PLC, she sang in the Choir of the West, was selected May Queen her senior year, and edited the student newspaper. Highlights of her early adulthood included a trip to visit her sister Elizabeth, serving in the WAVES on the East Coast, and a journey to Norway via ocean liner with her father in the summer of 1947, where she enjoyed a three-month visit getting to know her Stuen relatives and practicing her Norwegian.

After graduation, Anita worked in the main office at Pacific Lutheran, where she met Neil Potthoff, who entered the college after serving in the Army Air Force during the war. They married on August 21, 1948 in Belfair. They moved to Port Townsend in January, 1949, where Neil became the first male teacher at the grade school. Over the years, Anita kept busy with their four children, yet still found time to participate in church and community activities. She was a long-time faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she sang alto in the choir, served as treasurer of Grace Lutheran Women, and was involved in the Monday quilting group. She was also active in the P.E.O. Anita had many interests from which her family benefitted: she was a talented seamstress and knitter, particularly of beautiful Norwegian sweaters; grower and arranger of lovely flowers; baker of delicious pies, cakes, and cookies – her blackberry pie was particularly appreciated; and cake decorator. Anita loved to garden, play bridge and pinochle, attack crossword puzzles, and was a voracious reader; we were awed by her ability to recite poetry. She embraced her Norwegian heritage and attended Hougen family reunions held at different locations around the country.

Anita is survived by her four children: Nancy Huling (Rick) of Lake Forest Park, Kari Bishay (Alan Moore) of Anacortes, Lora Ott (Jack) of Shelton, Joel Potthoff (Jody) of Woodinville; ten grandchildren: Kendra Huling Uhler (Dave); Amy Ott Anderson (Mike); Dane Ott (Christine); Stefan Bishay (Jessicia); Tessa Bishay; Alexa Huling (Aidan Penttila); Jaclyn Ott Rhoades (Jonathan); Derek Huling; Zachary Potthoff; Chloe Potthoff; and by seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving her are eleven much-loved nieces and nephews. She is remembered with fondness by many of her Hougen cousins. Anita was preceded in death by her husband Neil on September 3, 2018.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Lighthouse Memory Care in Anacortes and to the team from Hospice of the Northwest for their kind and loving care of Anita during her last months.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Port Townsend on October 13 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial gifts in Anita’s name can be directed to Grace Lutheran Church.