Jean Elisabeth Parman Porter, 88, died peacefully at her daughter's home in Fort Worth, Texas, where she had been living for the past year and a half. She was surrounded by the love of family and friends both physically and in spirit.
Jean was born on November 1, 1920, in Decorah. As a young child, she moved with her family to Cedar Falls, where she considered herself a lifelong resident. She graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in 1941. She taught elementary school in Gibson for one year. Jean was a schoolteacher, homemaker, and secretary at the University of Northern Iowa until her retirement.
Jean married Gordon B. Porter on May 12, 1942, and they lived and loved each other for sixty-two years until his death in 2005. Jean was a devoted wife, proud mother; dear grandmother, sweet great-grandmother, constant and loyal friend, and a teacher to all by the life lived well.
She is survived by son Bradd (Jane), of Wickenburg; Arizona; son Ross of Waterloo; daughter Kay (James) of Fort Worth; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey Westemdorf; Amy (David) George, Michael Westendorf, Luke Porter, John Porter, Daniel Porter; Gloria (Nathan) Montalbano, and James Porter; three great-grandchildren; Jessica Westendorf; Meredith George, arid Eliza Montalbano. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alta and Elmer Parman; husband, Gordon B. Porter; and brother, Lee Parman of Hadley of Hadley, Massachusetts.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 30, 2008, from 4 until 7 PM, at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home, with the funeral services on Wednesday, December 31, 2008, at 10:30 AM at United Church of Christ, Cedar Falls. Memorials may be directed to the church or to the family to be distributed to additional charities.
Copyright Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, December 28, 2008, page B#.