Jean Porter 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. Online condolences may he left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com Copyright Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, December 28, 2008, page B#.
