Dolores Porter
Dolores Porter, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at the Sanford Hillsboro
Long Term Care Center with her daughter Bonnie at her side. She was loved and will be missed by many.
Dolores Marie Tetzlaff (it’s Dolores with an ‘o’ as she would insist!) was born on February 26, 1926 in Hunter ND, the only child of Emil and Ida. She grew up in the Hunter/Grandin area, attending both Bell & Bohnsack country schools as well as Hunter public school. A good student, she was proud to say she was able to skip the 2nd grade! Dolores developed a love of music, singing solos & duets as well as landing a lead part in a school operetta. Following her 1943 graduation from high school, she attended Interstate Business College, living and working in Fargo.
Dolores met Bob Porter during high school & they married in 1946 upon his return from serving in
the Navy in the Pacific. They built a new home on the current Porter farmstead in 1948 where Dolores was to live by her choice until just this past November. They developed a successful family farming business with Dolores enjoying an active role as the bookkeeper and occasional truck & combine driver. Dolores was a devoted mother to their two children, Dave & Bonnie, and especially loved being ‘Grama D’ to Bonnie’s children Ian & Annie. She even continued mailing her homemade chocolate banana bread to them when they were both in college!
Dolores was active in homemaker and birthday clubs & the First Lutheran Church in Hunter. Bob & Dolores loved to travel and Bonnie’s job at Northwest (Delta) Air Lines offered the family the opportunity to visit places including New Zealand, Tahiti, Japan, & various cities in Europe. They spent many winters traveling south with their trailer including AZ, SC, & FL. In the summer for over 30 years their trailer was parked at Pinehurst Resort at North Twin Lake near Naytahwaush MN. Weekends there were spent with many lake friends. It was there where she took her best sunset photos which we love.
Bob passed away in 1998. Dolores & Dave continued farming with the assistance of Frank Kartes until Dave’s passing from complications of Parkinson’s disease in 2019. Dolores was Dave’s caregiver until the end of his life which took a toll on her life. She did, however, recover well enough to return by choice to living on her own and was even able to dance late into the evening at her granddaughter’s wedding in Chicago a few months later to the delight of us all.
She will be missed and forever remembered by daughter Bonnie (Scott) Nelson in Edina MN, grandson Ian (Torreyana Carl) Nelson in Portland OR, granddaughter Annie (Tommy) Grogan & soon to be born great granddaughter in Chicago IL, dear friend & farm colleague Frank Kartes, and special friends Maxine Garrett & Doris Barker who are the remaining ‘Golden Girls’ at Pinehurst Resort.
A private graveside service will be held at the Hunter ND Cemetery & a Celebration of Life will be held this summer. Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church in Hunter ND.
So sorry to lose Delores as a neighbor. She will be missed.
So very sorry to hear about your mom, Bonnie. Delores was always a sweet and kind lady. It’s never easy to say goodbye to our parents. Hugs and prayers as you go through this difficult journey.💔 Love, Reuben and Jennifer Rud
My husband worked for the Porters many many years ago. He totally loved Delores cooking! Sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful lady. Becky Cofet
Bonnie and family,
What a life well lived by amazing Delores! I have never forgotten her incredible kindness and generosity to me during High School. She was truly like a second mother to me. May your loss be comforted by a lifetime of wonderful and heart warming memories as you celebrate her and all the joy she brought to those around her.
With deep gratitude,
Doug Burgum
Bonnie,
My thoughts to you as you say good by to your mother. I will always remember her as a gracious and smiling lady. When I would visit with her she would talk of where you were and what you were doing.
Always so very proud of you. Mothers are very special people and our love will be with them always. I know you will cherish your memories.
Carol Meyers
I’m grateful and fortunate to have known Dolores. She was kind, caring, generous, fun and a joy to be around. Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing your mom with me! Much love and peace be with you.
So sorry for your loss Bonnie, I know you all will miss her a lot. Hugs and Prayers for your family!
I will miss Dolores so very much! She was my Godmother. Highlights of my life included all the family gatherings we had growing up at the Porter farm or other family homes. She was so classy. Always a smile. She absolutely never forgot my birthday! It was always at beet harvest time. I love her so much!
Bonnie & Family, we feel so blessed to have known Dolores. She became a dear friend and we looked forward to lake season every year when we could once again visit with her. Our sincere condolences to you all Bonnie.
Bonnie so sorry for your loss! She will be greatly missed. The lake won’t be the same.
Our thoughts & prayers go out to you Bonnie and all those closest to her. We loved visiting her at Pinehurst & will miss her.
Dan & Lisa Schoenborn
Pinehurst Campground friends
So sorry for Dolores’s passing, most of childhood memories of Christmas and holidays were shared with Dolores and Bob and Dave and Bonnie , just loved Dolores she was amazing and so kind to me those memories will be with me forever….
My dear cousin, Bonnie, my heart goes out to you and your family. Dolores was special in my life and I will miss her greatly. I have wonderful memories of our visits at the farm or lunch at a Fargo eatery. She touched me with her kindness as my mother faced her final years. I will always remember her empathy and her wisdom. And she was always proud of her family and joyful when she’d recount her travels or family events and accomplishments. Dolores was special and will be missed.
I first met Dolores when I became a waitress at the Hunter Cafe. I had recently moved to town and didn’t know many people yet. Dolores came in to the Cafe in the afternoon for coffee with a couple of her friends. We got to know each other and she made me feel welcome. My daughter works at the cafe also and Dolores told me she admired my daughter and she made me feel good about certain choices I had made. I didn’t know Dolores well, but I was always glad to see her come to the Cafe. She brightened my day. I will always be glad to have met her.
My condolences to your family
She was a beautiful Lady!!
Bonnie and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Mothers are so special! Thinking of you all and sending prayers and hugs!
We were so very sorry to hear of Dolores’s passing. We have so many wonderful memories of your Mom and family with visits at the farm! My Mom, Dolores sends her love and sympathy! May your memories help ease the days ahead – she was a wonderful lady!!!
Dear Bonnie and family,
My condolences for your loss. Dolores lives a long and beautiful life! What a blessing. I remember her as a very friendly, kind and classy person. Keep her close to your heart with your many memories.
Hugs,
Cindy (Hudson) Boese
We are saddened to hear of Delores’ passing. We have fond memories at Pinehurst back in the 80s! Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers!
Mike and Val Eklund, Roxi (Eklund) Visser and Traci Eklund
I was so sorry to learn from Doug that your mother had passed away. The last time I saw her was at Marlys’ service in October of 2018 and we had a good visit with her. Jerry passed away in February of 2019 and I see your brother passed away as well that year. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Your mother was a great lady and a very strong one as well. You will miss her!
Our sympathies to you Bonnie and your entire family. Dolores was a beautiful person and we have many fond memories of our times in the District 20 Dem-NPL. Both your parents were tireless supporters and wonderful hosts. We remember her as one of those people who added sunshine to a room with her smile and charm. Any opportunity to visit with your Mom was a treasured time. God’s peace during this time of loss.
Dear Cousin Bonnie and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of visiting your farm with the Jenson cousins and her beautiful Hollyhoks in the 60’s. Gramma Tetzloff and I went to visit Emil and Ida’s farm and then would visit your mom also. My mom’s twin brother Lionel wrote in his WWII letters that he thought quite highly of Dolores. Celebrate the many wonderful memories but wish mom’s could live forever!
Dear Bonnie,
This is late as I don’t always hear much from “back home” and just happened to come across your mother’s obit tonight. It brought back memories of the notes of encouragement she would send back when I was in seminary in the 1980’s–such a kind and thoughtful person she was. I’m so sorry to hear that you have also lost your dad and brother, but was thankful that what was your “new job” the last time we crossed paths at the airport in Mpls I think it was, led to your folks getting to see so much of the world. Blessings and sweet memories be with you and your family.