Potterton, Donald "Gene"

Donald "Gene" Potterton, age 90, of Dodgeville, formerly of Mineral Point, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 26, 2026 at Lafayette Manor in Darlington.

Gene was born July 12, 1935 in Dodgeville to Glen and Myrtle (Jewell) Potterton and grew up on the family farm in rural Mineral Point. Farming was his life right until the very end. He loved a good conversation about farming and we all enjoyed every single one of his farming stories and experiences. Gene graduated from Mineral Point High School in 1953. On May 1, 1954 he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Kinsman. They were blessed with four children. Pat was taken from him much too soon and he was left to raise his young children, with the help of his mother and mother-in-law, Edith Kinsman. On September 24, 1965, Gene married Betty Hagenston and they enjoyed nine loving years before her passing in November of 1973.

On his birthday in 1974, he married Carol Huxtable Trace and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends on July 14, 2024. This was a big milestone that Gene was so happy to achieve. His next mission was to see his 90th birthday. He met that one too and was surrounded with love of his family this past July.

Gene was an avid hunter, having taken many trips out west with his best friend and brother, Glenn, Jr. Gene was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mineral Point and also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also bowled for many years, and my, did he like to have fun!

Gene is survived by his wife, Carol of Dodgeville, his daughter Debbie (Steve) Douglas of Grant, FL, sons, Mick (Lucy) and Dan (Kris), daughter, Penny (Tim) Coogan, all of Mineral Point, and stepdaughter, Brenda (Bryon) Gander, of Boscobel. He is further survived by his grandchildren and their families, Troy, Travis, Tricia, Jamie, Mike, Matt, Justin, Morgan, Brady, Carly, Kelsey, Quinn, Ross, Samantha and Kaylla, along with 35 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Murphy, Monona, WI, sister-in-laws, Marilyn Trevorrow, Mineral Point, Edith Hunter, Dodgeville, Miriam Hagenston, Muscoda, Karen Wolf, Madison and Joan Huxtable, Dodgeville, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his former wives, Patricia and Betty, his brother, Glenn, Jr., sister, Thelma Symons, granddaughters, Tracie Kahl and Tiffany Orth-Waterman, three stepsons, Brian, Brad and Bruce Trace, and great grandsons, Huxton and Brixx Potterton, as well as many in-laws.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Mineral Point.  Pastor Lorri McGranahan will officiate.  Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Monday from 9:00 until 11:20 AM at the First United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank Debbie James Rideout and the staffs of Agrace, Upland Hills hospital and Lafayette Manor for their exceptional care of our dad. Your kindness won't be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the First United Methodist Church would be appreciated.

Gorgen Funeral Home

www.gorgenfh.com