Obituary: Carter Potter

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Creighton, South Dakota

Interment

Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Creighton, South Dakota

Visitation

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

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In memory of

Carter Potter

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Monday, June 23, 2025 at his grandparent's ranch in Creighton at the age of 14

Carter Jay Potter was born on November 23, 2010 at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas Valley, Nevada to Jessee and Sherry Potter; he was welcomed by his proud older brother, Aiden. In February 2015, Jessee, Aiden, and Carter moved to Philip, South Dakota, where he lived until his passing.

Carter could illuminate any room with his joy, kindness, and boundless curiosity. He asked endless questions and loved figuring out how things worked. Sometimes to his parents' dismay, he could be found taking things apart - broken or not - just for the challenge of figuring out how to put them back together. A bit of a risk-taker as well, Carter liked climbing to the top of the tall pine tree in his backyard from the time he was a small child.

Fueled by an innate passion for the outdoors, Carter's favorite pastimes were bass fishing and deer hunting with his dad, and camping and traveling with his family. He often reminisced about trips to see family in Michigan and couldn't wait to go back there for the next adventure. Carter also enjoyed being a part of the Philip Scotties junior high football team and hanging out with his cousins and friends.

After finishing the eighth grade in May, Carter spent most of his time at his favorite place - his grandparents' ranch in Creighton. There, he cherished his time with his Grandma Doris, sister Julie, and cousins, but he spent the majority of his time helping and looking up to his Papa Fred, learning the ins and outs of life on the ranch. Carter was particularly fond of raking hay and going fencing with his cousin Weston. The highlight of his summer was rebuilding a go cart with Papa Fred. They got it to run one time and, as Fred recalls, "his eyes lit up with excitement." Carter recently told Jessee and Rose that he was never going to leave the country because it was where he wanted to be and there was always work to be done. Although we were not ready and there is still work to be done, Carter's last breath was taken on June 23, 2025 - on the ranch he loved, doing what he loved.

Carter is lovingly remembered by his father and step-mother Jessee and Rose Potter of Philip and mother Sherry Potter of Nevada; brothers Aiden Potter and Jensen Finster; sister Julie Eisenbraun; maternal grandparents Fred and Doris Eisenbraun of Creighton and Tonie and John Sprague of Adrian, MI; paternal grandparents Kimberley and Bill Nicholas of Michigan and Jerry and Kim Sparkman of Michigan; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Creighton with Pastor Christopher McCarthy officiating.

Interment will follow at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Creighton.

In honor of Carter the family requests that every one dresses casually as he always hated dressing up.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 14 Philip, SD 57567.

FUNERAL SERVICE
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - 10:00 a.m.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Creighton, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Pastor Christopher McCarthy

MUSIC
"Children of the Heavenly Father"
"God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It"
"Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won"

USHERS
JT Moon - Josh Geigle

PALLBEARERS
Matthew Eisenbraun - Weston Koedam
Robert Meade - Nick Cox - Vicente Martinez
Devon Ehlers - Wes Potter

INTERMENT
Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Creighton, South Dakota

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Praying for everyone who is hurting. You are gone too soon, but we will see you in heaven. ~ Jayson D. Brown Guam (7/2/2025)
A parent's worst nightmare!! Remember it is okay not to be okay. Take all the time you need to grieve. I pray that with the strength only God can give and with your family, fur babies, and memories that you can find the path to healing. Rose, from what I know of you, Carter was blessed to have you as his parent. Jessee, I only met you once, but your smile and love of animals showed a man that had so much love and kindness. Please know I will be praying for you, along with many others, that you find some peace. ~ Roxy Formanek PHILIP (6/30/2025)
Roseanne Fred and Doris sorry for your loss you are in my prayers. ~ Tracey L Feldman Box Elder (6/26/2025)
Jesse, Rose and family, I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless you! ~ Casey D. Weaver Wall SD (6/26/2025)
So sorry for your loss ~ Sheryl Sether Hot Springs (6/26/2025)
So sorry for your loss. ~ Christie Stewart Wales, Michigan (6/26/2025)
So sorry to hear of your loss.My prayers and thoughts are with you in this most difficult time. ~ Tootie Formanek York,Nebraska (6/25/2025)
Sending love and sympathy to Carter's entire family. May the memories of your precious son sustain you in these difficult times. ~ Ron & Marilyn Gartner Interior SD (6/25/2025)
Jessee Potter and family. I am so sorry for the loss of your son. Praying for each and every one of you. ~ Shane Webb Nashville, TN (6/25/2025)
Jessee, Rose, Doris,Fred, Matt and Candice and families, so sorry about your loss. May the Lord help through the pain of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Alisha McConnell Kadoka (6/25/2025)
Jessee, Rose and family,
I am so sorry. This life is not fair and does not make sense, at all. Stay strong. ~ Samantha Weems Philip (6/25/2025)
No amount words will help ease the pain from the loss of a child. I pray the family finds comfort in the Lord and that he may wrap his arms around Carters family in this time of pain. Rest in peace sweet Carter, you will be missed by everyone ~ Michaela Lavender Philip (6/25/2025)
So sorry to hear about your loss of your son. There is nothing more heartbreaking and painful than losing a child. May God wrap you in his loving arms and comfort you in this difficult time. ~ Nicole Dennis Philip (6/25/2025)
Carter, for all the times we had disagreements and arguments I wanted to say sorry one last time and I will miss you deeply just know that I love you a lot ~ Julie Eisenbraun Philip, SD (6/25/2025)
Carter you were a great friend, always making me laugh. I wish we could hangout one last time... ~ Lathe Morrison Philip south Dakota (6/25/2025)
Carter, you were a great friend in my life. It's sad to see you go so soon just at the age of 14. You were always the person bringing joy at the table and sparking a conversation. May you now rest in a better place up above. To the family, I hope you receive all the prayers and the sympathy I have for you. - Your Friend Kory ~ Kory Iwan Philip, SD (6/25/2025)
Nothing can be as traumatic as losing a beloved child. May God almighty wrap his mighty arms around you in this time of grief! I pray his guardian angel carried your son into Jesus's arms. Our sincere condolences Jessee and family. ~ Carmen Fees Philip,SD (6/25/2025)
Carter, I don't know why I always ignored you when you wanted to be my friend. All I can do now is regret not being closer to you. Why'd you have to and die on me, man? Who am I supposed to call when I wanna do dumb stuff now? ~ Jaxon Romero Philip, SD (6/25/2025)
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our daily prayers. ~ Mark and Alyson Fauske Eden Prairie, MN (6/25/2025)
My sweet boy. I miss you so much. I have no words. This world lost a beautiful soul. I love you and I can't wait to be with you again my son. Love mom. ~ Sherry Potter Las Vegas NV (6/25/2025)
My heart hurts for all of you. I cannot imagine the pain you are going through. My deepest sympathies to you all. ~ Kim Petersen Philip/Des Moines (6/25/2025)
Jessee,Rose and Julie my deepest sympathy to you all!! ~ Gina Thorson Philip sd (6/24/2025)
We have lost a beautiful wholesome soul. Heaven is a little better today because of you Carter. Please accept my condolences to all. ~ Papa Bill Adrian (6/24/2025)
Sorry for your loss ~ Travis Engel Wall (6/24/2025)
You took a bit of my heart with you sweet boy. I know you are in heaven setting off fireworks and tending your own ranch. I'm so glad you were doing what you loved when the Lord took you home. We love you to the moon and back and we will see you on the flipside. I hope you knew how much you were loved. Forever. Granny. To be absent in the body is to be in the presence of the Lord ~ Kimberley Nicholas Adrian, MI (6/24/2025)