Crystal A. Potts, 83, of Effingham, KS passed away on Thursday, July 9th, 2026, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, KS surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lancaster, KS, with Rev. Elizabeth Carr officiating. Burial will follow in Lancaster Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church or to the Effingham Library and may be sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home who is handling the services. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Crystal was born on Nov. 5th, 1942, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Bryan and Elsie (Young) Seegel. She graduated from Avoca High School, Avoca NE, in 1960. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Peru State College, Peru, NE. Crystal taught elementary school for 33 years. For 11 years she taught in 1 room schools in Nebraska. She taught 3rd grade for USD #377 for 22 years, retiring in 2000. She was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lancaster, KS. Crystal enjoyed reading, doing puzzles and playing cards.

She married Dennis Horns in 1962. He preceded her in death in 1975. She was later married to Jim Potts on December 26, 1977. He survives of the home in Effingham. Additional survivors include a daughter Denise (Jeffrey) Smith, Effingham, KS, a son Charlie (Betsey) Potts, Savannah, MO, 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Her parents, first husband, a son John Horns, her brothers Darrel and Dean Seegel, a sister Maxine Emshoff and a grandson Bryan Cummings preceded her in death.

The family will miss Crystal greatly but are secure in the knowledge that she is home with the Lord. And we are taking her long-repeated advice phrases to us that “It will get better” and “This too shall pass”.