Menu
Dorothy Porter
Dorothy F. Porter, 88, of Le Mars, died Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars.
Dorothy Frances Porter was born Oct. 24, 1934, in Iowa City, one of four daughters born to Clarence and Marie (Morris) Woodyard. She was raised in Estherville, where she graduated from high school. Following high school, Dorothy worked as a housekeeper for a family in Estherville.
She later worked at a dime store with the sister of Richard Porter. She began writing letters to Richard while he was serving in Korea. They were later united in marriage on Nov. 3, 1954, in Estherville. The couple made their home on a farm in Exira. They farmed there for three years before moving to Atlantic, where they managed a county home. It was there that their first two children, Kimberly and Michael, were born. They moved to Albert City, to manage a county home. Their youngest, Jeannette was born in Storm Lake.
The family moved to Mason City, to supervise the IOOF nursing home. In 1976, the Porters moved to Le Mars, to act as administrators of the Plymouth County Home. This later became Plymouth Life and ultimately the Pride Group in 1996. Dorothy retired in 1996 and remained in Le Mars.
Dorothy was an active member of the Le Mars Church of Christ. Throughout the years, she participated in numerous capacities including chairing the missions committee with Richard. They also helped build the current church property.
Dorothy enjoyed playing card games, puzzles, and Bingo. She decorated cakes, made ceramics, and knitted. She was an avid follower of the show, Days of Our Lives.
Grateful to have shared her life is her husband of 68 years, Richard Porter of Le Mars; her children, Kimberly Porter, Michael (Sheri) Porter and Jeannette (Michael) Kinney, all of Le Mars; grandchildren, Amanda (Lucas) Moore of Cedar Falls, Megan (Jon) Hataway of Aurora, Colorado, Travis (Maren) Kinney of Des Moines, Whitney Porter of Remsen, and Ty Porter of Cedar Falls; great-grandchildren, Lily, Asher and Layna Moore, Eli Hataway, Willow, Aspen and Rowan Porter; sisters, Ellen Evenson of Evansville, Indiana, and Joanne (Douglas) Higgins of Clarinda; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister and her husband, Donna and Roy Lyman; and a brother-in-law, Reuben Evenson.
Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 4, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Pastor Luke Cargin of the Le Mars Church of Christ will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m., Friday, March 3, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume at 9:30 a.m., Saturday.
Arrangements are with the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed through mauerjohnsonfh.com.