Thelma Lucile was born on April 12, 1920 in Coin, Iowa, the daughter of Clement Gardner and Lida Carrie (Christy) Polsley.  Thelma grew up on a farm outside of Coin with her brother Melbern and sister Frances.  She attended school in Coin and graduated from Coin High School in 1938.

On March 1, 1941 Thelma was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Potter in Glenwood, Iowa.  In 1942 Kenneth joined the United States Army.  While state-side Thelma followed him to various Army bases in the states.  Upon Kenneth's discharge in December of 1951 the couple moved to Omaha.  While living in Omaha they became big fans and season ticket holders to the Omaha Knights Hockey Team.  They also enjoyed watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers play football.  Thelma loved to garden and enjoyed canning and making preserves.  She was an outstanding cook, seamstress, and homemaker.  She was an excellent writer of poetry.  She surprised many family members with a special poem written for them on their birthdays.  Annual fishing trips to Minnesota were enjoyed as she showed off her skills in reeling in the "big one".  Scenic car trips visiting friends and relatives were always a highlight of their summers.   In 2015 Thelma and Kenneth moved back to Shenandoah.  They attended the Coin United Methodist Church.

On June 9, 2022 Thelma entered into eternal peace at the blessed age of 102 at the Accura Healthcare Center in Shenandoah.  Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Clem and Lida Polsley, husband Kenneth Potter, their infant son Kenneth LeRoy, sister Frances Polsley Hovermale and brother Melbern Polsley.  Those left to cherish her memory include her niece Phyllis Stake of Shenandoah and nephew Larry Polsley and wife Sandee of Omaha along with other relatives and dear friends.