Betty Porter

Betty M. Porter, age 93, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Halcyon House in Washington. Family will receive friends Friday, March 31, 2017 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington. A graveside service and interment will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Mourners may meet at the funeral home prior to the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. James Catholic Church, Washington American Legion Post 29 or Halcyon House. Online condolences may be sent for Betty’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Betty, daughter of Ray & Hazel (Pieper) Redlinger, was born on April 2, 1923 in Washington, Iowa. In 1939 she was crowned Centennial Queen by Mr. J.C. Penney. Following graduation from Washington High School in 1940, she worked at J.C. Penney. On August 10, 1943, Betty married Robert Porter in Needles, California, while Robert was stationed near there in the Army. Betty lived most of her life in Washington, except during the 20 year period Robert was in the service. During that time, she lived in Tokyo, Japan; Fort Knox, KY; and Regensburg, Germany. While in Tokyo, she worked as a clerk typist in GHQ in the Department of Decoration & Awards. Upon returning to Washington, she first worked at Tom Duncan’s Ready to Wear and then Leonard Tindall Pioneer. In 1966, she began her career as an IBM key punch operator at Seifert’s Central Office, retiring from there in 1985. Betty bowled in the Wednesday night league at Melody Lanes for many years. She also enjoyed playing cards, working word puzzles, dining out with friends and spending time with her family, friends and grandchildren. Surviving are her children: Roberta (Joe) Schiebel of Washington, IA, Raymond (Julie) Porter of Elk Grove, CA, Richard (Jolene) Porter of Urbandale, IA and Patricia Porter of Iowa City, IA; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 65 years, Robert; sister, Mary Catherine Greene and her husband Ivan; and one great-grandson, Taron Schiebel.

Betty Porter

April 2, 1923 - March 11, 2017