Holly Gray Potelle, daughter of James “Jim” and Nancy Gray (Middleton) Watkins, was born December 24, 1956 in Wichita, Kansas.

She passed away Monday, June 18, 2012 near Viola, Kansas from injuries received in a motorcycle accident while returning home from Wichita.

Holly graduated from Southeast High School, Wichita in 1974 and attended college at Kansas State University in Manhattan, where she met her future husband, Jeffrey Potelle.

On May 19, 1979, she was united in marriage with Jeff in Wichita and this union was blessed with three children, Lucien, Genevieve, and Grayson.

In 1994, the family moved to Rago where Holly was a “stay at home Mom” for her family. When Lucien joined the Sunnyside 4H Club at Harper, Holly became active with the Harper County 4H Fair, judging needlepoint and helping her children with their pigs even naming each of them. . She was also active in Boy Scouts and three years ago, received the Silver Beaver Award which is Boy Scout’s highest award. Holly was an avid motorcyclist and enjoyed riding. She became instrumental in forming the Toy Run, held annually in Wichita. She was also an active member the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church in Harper.

In 2000, Holly returned to Newman University in Wichita where she completed her bachelor’s degree in education. She even took her children to class with her when necessary and would substitute teach while completing her education.

Holly began teaching 7th and 8th grade English at Harper Junior High School. She also was active with the Harper Junior High TSA and helped with Tom Bonetti with TSA at Chaparral High School. In 2011, Holly was recognized as TSA Teacher of the Year at the National Conference.

Holly was preceded in death by her father and mother.

She will be deeply missed by her husband, Jeffrey “Jeff” Potelle; her sons, Lucien and Grayson; and her daughter, Genevieve Potelle, all of Rago, Kansas; two brothers: Richard Watkins of Emporia, KS and Robert Watkins of Wichita, KS; other relatives and many, many friends.

Friends may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at the Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Harper.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Chaparral High School in Harper County, Kansas with Pastor Alan Stucky officiating. Interment will be held at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, east of Harper, Kansas.

Memorials may be given in memory of Holly to T.S.A. at Harper Junior High School or to the Wichita Toy Run and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 613 W. 14th St. - Harper, KS 67058, is in charge of arrangements.