Edith Evelyn Marie Porter

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, February 18, 2010 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Stephen Blenkush and Rev. Tom Sahlstrom officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Music will be provided by Allison Smelley, the Zion Lutheran Swedish Singers, Heather Sahlstrom, and Donna Sahlstrom. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca. Edith Evelyn Marie Porter was born the third of seven children in Center City, Minnesota on October 31, 1910 to John and Emma (Peterson) Dahl. She was baptized at Center City Lutheran Church. In 1918, she moved with her family to a farm in Maple Ridge and in 1920 to a farm south of Braham where they milked Jersey cows, selling milk to residents in Braham. In 1925, she was confirmed at Braham Lutheran Church. She graduated from Braham High School in 1929. She was united in marriage to Howard Porter in 1933, a marriage that lasted 75 years. The family of five moved to Milaca in 1943 when Howard was transferred by Eastern Minnesota Power Company. Edith worked for Presley Drug, Olson’s Dry Good Store, Dr. E.S. Hagquist’s dental office, and Northwestern Bell as a switchboard operator. One of the happiest times of Edith’s life was when she and Howard worked for the Milaca Public Schools. She served hot lunch for 22 years. In 2003, Howard and Edith moved from the Milaca Hi Rise Apartments to the Milaca Elim Home, where they both received excellent care. She loved Pastor Tom’s Bible studies and when he sat down and prayed with her. Howard preceded her in death in 2007. Edith was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she served the Lord by teaching Sunday and Vacation Bible School. She participated in the church library, home Bible studies, prayer chain, quilting, Altar Guild, and helping Howard with custodial work. She was also a member of the Current Events Club. Edith volunteered at the Milaca Hospital and Elim Home and in the 1950’she taught the 4-H girls to knit. Edith cared about people and loved being with them. She will be remembered as an understanding, compassionate, and faithful friend. Howard and Edith often opened their home to people who needed a place to stay. Some of her pastimes were reading, gardening, learning Spanish, and playing Scrabble. She loved talking Swedish, singing with the Swedish singers, and preparing Swedish rice pudding and rye bread. Edith died Thursday, February 11, 2010 at the Milaca Elim Home at the age of 99 years, 3 months and 11 days. Edith is survived by her children; son, Wayne and wife Marge of Douglas, Wyoming; daughter, Sharon and husband John Babin of Scottsdale, Arizona; son in law, David Lundgren of Savannah, Georgia; five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; sister, Dorothy Johnson of Milaca; also by many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; daughter, Marge; great granddaughter, Alyssa; sisters, Frances and Florence; brothers, Spencer, Russel, and Ames.