Pamela “Pam” Kay Pottorff, 65, of Sioux City, IA, passed away surrounded by her family on May 7, 2025. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m., at St. James Global Methodist Church.  Visitation will be Friday, June 20 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at St. James Global Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City. The service will be live streamed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@stjamesglobalmethodistscia

Pam was born on November 10, 1959, in Cherokee, IA to Richard and Virginia (Egger) Wightman. In 1965 her family moved to Sioux City.  She attended Washington Elementary, East Junior High and East High schools. While in Junior and High school she was the drum-major for the marching bands, and a Varsity Wrestling cheerleader her senior year. She graduated from East High school in 1978.  She attended Wayne State College for one year, then entered the workforce as a secretary.  She returned to college as a non-traditional student to finish her college degree at Briar Cliff College. She got her first teaching job in Jackson, Nebraska, after two years she took a job with the South Sioux City School district teaching Reading, then in her final years teaching Language Arts.  She taught for 22 years at the middle school before retiring in 2022.   While teaching at South Sioux City she earned her master’s degree in education from Morningside College.

She was united in marriage to Dennis Pottorff on June 14, 1980, in Sioux City.  They lived in Wayne, Nebraska, while Dennis finished his college degree and worked for Wayne State College and the Wayne State Foundation as a secretary. The couple moved to Rapid City, South Dakota in 1982 to start Dennis’ teaching career. While in Rapid City she was employed by the State’s Attorney’s office as a legal secretary and public health secretary. They spent many hours enjoying themselves living in the Black Hills. While living in Rapid City they welcomed their first son Matthew in 1985.  In 1987 the family returned to Sioux City where she worked as a secretary for various employers. In 1989 Josh was welcomed to the family. Spending time with her sons became a major focus for Pam.  She was a Cub Scout den leader for her sons and supported them in their scouting and school activities.  While working at Western Iowa Technology Community College she returned to college and finished her education teaching classes.

She helped start, and then ran, Food 4 Kids back-pack food program for students at Whittier elementary school.  This program continues today feeding needy students and their families attending Morningside elementary.  She did a large amount of grant writing to ensure that the Food 4 Kids program would continue to have funds for many years. She was a member of St. James Global Methodist Church for 60 years.  She enjoyed gardening, her golden retrievers Delta and Retta and spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Dennis Pottorff; parents, Richard and Virginia Wightman; sons: Matt (Jennifer) Pottorff and Josh (Lauren) Pottorff; grandkids: Michael, Tegan, Kaitlyn, Mallory, and Jaxson; siblings: Tim (Sharon) Wightman and Pat (Phil) Jones.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents and beloved golden retrievers Sally, Nala and Maisy.

In lieu of flowers Pam requested donations to Food 4 Kids c/o St. James Global Methodist Church, 2032 S Cypress St Sioux City IA 51106