Vernon Porter

Vernon Porter, 72, of Karlstad, MN, died on Thursday, March 5, 2009 in MeritCare, Fargo, ND.

Vernon L. Porter, the son of Lloyd & Helen (Johnson) Porter, was born April 10, 1936 at Karlstad, MN. He graduated from Karlstad High School in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army in Greenland and was discharged in 1957. He married Lorene Kalishek on January 31, 1959 at Protivin, Iowa. They lived at Rochester, Minneapolis and Coon Rapids, MN before moving to Karlstad in 1969. He operated The Sportsmans Club and later Vern’s Hartz in Karlstad until 1979. They moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, where he was involved in the grocery business. They again returned to Karlstad, he worked at the Bus Plant in Pembina, ND and was an entrepreneur in many enterprises over the years until he retired in 1998. They spent the winters in Arizona for several years.

Vern was a member of the Karlstad American Legion and the Karlstad Eagles Club, where he was once the Eagle of the Year. He was a former member of the Karlstad School Board and a member of St. Edward’s Church. Vern enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and spending time with their grandchildren.

SURVIVED BY: Wife—Lorene.

Sons—Timothy (Katharine) Porter of Waconia, MN & Thomas (Laurie) Porter of Waddell, AZ. Daughters—Kathryn (Marvin) Setness of Fargo, ND & Karen (Aaron) Erickson of Glyndon, MN.

13 grandchildren: Michael, Lynn, Marina, Riley, Shannon, Chantel, Freddy, Denee’, Hayley, Anthony, Tyrell, Alex & Brett.

8 great-grandchildren: Trevor, Johnathan, Daniel, Morgan, Addiebelle, Will, Billy & Anthony.

2 sisters—Mavis Petersen of Stephen, MN & Ardys LaLonde of Monticello, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Gary.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 11 in St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Karlstad with Father Chuck Huck, officiating. A eulogy was delivered by Paul Oistad. Kirstin Olson was the pianist and Dion Larson was the soloist. The Readers were Brett Erickson and Riley Porter. Altar Servers were Anthony Setness & Alex Erickson. Gift Bearers were Marina Evans, Tyrell Setness, Brett Erickson & Riley Porter. Vern’s Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and all of his other relatives were considered honorary pallbearers. The Military Flag detail was conducted by the Elwood Monroe Swenson American Legion Post 445 of Karlstad. Inurnment was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Arrangements were with Gieseke Funeral Chapel of Greenbush.