Karlstad - Helen Porter, 90, died Saturday, January 27, 2001 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad with Rev. Gary Halverson officiating. Kathy Englund was the organist, and Dion Larson was the soloist. Special music was provided by Lacey, Katrice and Ashley Hewett. Casketbearers were Tim Porter, Tom Porter, Todd Porter, Steve Porter, Dion Larson, Ben Larson and Jon M. Petersen. Interment was in Karlstad Cemetery with Collins Funeral Home of Karlstad in charge of the arrangements.
Helen Agnes Johnson was born on September 8, 1910 near Greenbush, the daughter of Gust and Betsy (Twistol) Johnson. When she was five years old, she moved with her family to Pelan township of Kittson county near Karlstad where she grew up and attended school. Helen was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad.
On August 12, 1931, she was united in marriage to Lloyd Porter at Buck Creek, Iowa. The couple resided in Fairmont for a short time before moving to Karlstad. Over the years, Helen worked at Hanson's Cafe and Arctic Enterprises in Karlstad and later, with her son, at the former Vern's Hartz Store. She was the first resident of Oakwood Homes in Karlstad and since 1998, had resided at Karlstad Health Care Center.
She was a life-long member of First Lutheran Church in Karlstad an its WELCA. She was also a member of the Karlstad American Legion Auxiliary.
Helen is survived by a son, Vern (Lorene) of Karlstad; two daughters, Mavis Peterson of Stephen and Ardys (Ben) LaLonde of Elk River; 16 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Henry of Karlstad and Lionel (Arbutus) of Thief River Falls; two sisters, Betty Okins of Brooklyn Center and Joan Fugleberg of Greenbush; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a son, Gary in 1989; a grandson, Gary Jr., and a great-granddaughter, Andrea Spooner. A00003B2000FB07