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Harold Porter
MINOT -- Harold Porter, 80, Minot, whose business and humanitarian interests were known statewide, died unexpectedly June 29, 1997, in Medora. He and his wife, Edith, were attending the Medora Musical when he was stricken.
Mr. Porter spent a lifetime in a Minot-based family business that began modestly enough in the 1920s when he and his three brothers started supporting the family by selling furs and wool, eventually going into iron and steel. In time and through their acquired business acumen, their business dealings extended beyond the city and state, expanding worldwide. Eventually, Mr. Porter's son, Gary, now chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party, became part of the business operation.
While Porter Brothers was sold in July 1989 to MRM Steel Ltd., Selkirk, Manitoba, Harold Porter continued to maintain other property interests, including the Minot store that houses Porter Brothers Fur and Leather Center.
He also retained a lively interest in everything that is Minot, his involvement reflected in years of active service on countless boards and in support of the arts. While much of his known humanitarianism sprang from these activities, there was more humanity and charity to the man than most people knew. He worked to keep that part of his life private, eschewing the attention that often is focused on people for their good works, preferring a lifestyle that was devoid of ostentation. In truth, the telephone and the privacy it afforded him was his lifeline, and he honed its use to a fine art.
Some organizations, however, refused to allow him to escape recognition. The Minot Sertoma Club presented him the club's Service to Mankind Award in 1985. In 1987, the State Bar Association of North Dakota named him the recipient of that year's Liberty Bell Award, the highest honor given to a non-lawyer for community service. In his case, the award was for his work in aiding the community development of character and good citizenship in young people in Minot and around the state.
He had received the Silver Beaver rating and Good Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America, the YMCA Man of the Year Award, the Paul Harris Fellow Award and the Good Service Award that are bestowed by the Minot Rotary Club. In September, he was scheduled to be ``roasted" by the North Dakota Affiliate of the American Diabetes Association, an annual fund-raising event held in Minot.
For years, working with Patrick Cook and George Hawley, both now deceased, he labored to establish the Minot Vocational Workshop. He served on the YMCA Board for 35 years, beginning in 1948, and was a contributor to various of its activities, including the Triangle Y Camp. For many years, he also was on the boards or was an officer of Trinity Medical Center, Midwest Federal Savings and Loan Association, the Minot Salvation Army, the Ward County Historical Society and the Board of Regents at Minot State University.
He was president of the Minot Hebrew Congregation, active in B'nai B'rith, a Jewish international service organization, served on the Board of Governors of District 6 of that organization and supported the Anti-Defamation League.
When he was presented Sertoma's Service to Mankind Award, he was described as ``a man for all seasons." He was nominated for that award by club member Maurice Metzger, who, in listing Mr. Porter's qualifications for the honor, observed:
``In all the years that Harold Porter has been in business, he has always employed the underprivileged, the minorities, the handicapped, refugees that couldn't even speak English. Not only were these people given jobs, but Harold Porter often found housing for them and assisted them with personal and family needs."
He was born July 10, 1916, at Russell, a son of Harry and Mary Porter, and was raised and educated in the Russell and Eckman areas. He remained on the family farm with his widowed mother, who had six children. The family moved to Minot in the 1920s, and in 1928, he and his brothers formed their business partnership.
He married Edith Shavers, Feb. 9, 1948, at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They since have lived in Minot.
She survives, along with two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Sherrie, Minot, and David and Gail, St. Louis; one daughter and son-in-law, Carol Ann and Daniel Berlin, Teaneck, N.J.; seven grandchildren; one brother, Zalmon, Pasadena, Calif.; and one sister, Celia Rodstein, Los Angeles.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Louis and Archie; and a sister, Esther Snyder.
His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. today at Temple Beth Israel, Minot, with burial in Minot Hebrew Cemetery. (Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot)
Eloise Schaff
BELFIELD -- Eloise Schaff, 64, Belfield, died June 29, 1997, in the Dickinson hospital. Services will be held at 2 p.m. MDT Thursday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Belfield. Further arrangements are pending at Mischel-Olson Chapel, Dickinson.
Hazel Russell
DICKINSON -- Hazel Russell, 90, Dickinson, died June 29, 1997, in a Dickinson nursing home. Arrangements are pending at Mischel-Olson Chapel, Dickinson.
Donald Rodgers
Donald E. Rodgers, 74, Bismarck, died June 30, 1997, at his home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bismarck Funeral Home.
Ardith Horab
WILLISTON -- Ardith Horab, 63, Williston, died June 28, 1997, in the Williston hospital. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church, with burial in Riverview Cemetery, both of Williston.
She is survived by her husband, Donald; one son, Darrel, Fargo; four daughters, Nyla Conover, Candice Tofte and Sherry Germundson, all of Williston, and Carol Bartels, Phoenix, Ariz.; one sister, Mary Ann Gaudreau, Williston; and one brother, Donald, Williston. (Everson Funeral Home, Williston)
Joseph Eberle
Joseph M. Eberle, 64, Hague, died June 29, 1997, in the Ashley hospital. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Hague, with the Rev. Leonard Eckroth officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with military rites by Linton American Legion.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. today at Myers Funeral Home, Linton, and will continue at the church one hour before services. A rosary will be said at 8 tonight at the funeral home.
Joseph was born Sept. 25, 1932, on a farm northeast of Hague, the son of Michael and Magdalene (Hulm) Eberle. He attended rural school. He entered the U.S. Army, Jan. 14, 1954. He was discharged in 1956 and returned to Hague. On June 18, 1957, he married Viola Miller at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hague. They lived in Hague, where he worked as a mechanic at Eberle Motors. In 1960 they moved to a farm three miles northwest of Hague. They farmed there for 27 years. They moved into Hague in 1987.
He was a life member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where he served on the parish council. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Third and Fourth Degree, Linton American Legion, and served on Hague and Emmons Central school boards. Joseph loved farming, toy tractors and fishing with his family. His grandchildren were a great joy to him.
He is survived by his wife, Viola; nine sons and five daughters-in-law, Tom and Andrea, and William and Connie, all of Bismarck, Don and Laura, John and Heidi, Michael, Peter, Paul and Matthew, all of Hague, and Steven and DeeAnn, Strasburg; six daughters and five sons-in-law, Janet and Gary Gerhardt, Patricia and Mark Becker, Michele Eberle, and Deborah and Steve Salwei, all of Bismarck, Mary and Tony Vetter, Alexandria, Minn., and Beverly and Eric Johnson, Hayfield, Minn.; 20 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; his mother, Magdalene, Linton; four brothers, Walter, Mike and Martin, all of Spokane, Wash., and Rodney, Hague; and five sisters, Rose Silvernagel, Billings, Mont., Barbara Schmaltz and Marietta Brophy, both of Spokane, Linda Vetter, Wahpeton, and Elaine Wikenheiser, Linton.
He was preceded in death by his father, Michael; and one son, Luke.
Beatrice Benz
Beatrice M. Benz, 91, Gresham, Ore., died June 29, 1997. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Steele, with the Rev. Sharon Kapsch officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Steele.
Beatrice Marian Hardland was born Oct. 16, 1905, in Larimore, the daughter of Chris and Kirsti Hardland. She attended school in Larimore and Valley City Teachers College, then met and married Miles B. Benz while teaching in country schools in the Moffit area.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Lloyd and Virginia, Steele; four daughters and sons-in-law, Marian and Maynard Forness, Rancho Cordova, Calif., Vivian and Bill Boelke, Gresham, Ore., Leone and Dennis Kressin, Fountain Valley, Calif., and Carol Waswick, Thief River Falls, Minn.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1992.
Morris Thoring
WILLISTON -- Morris Thoring, 70, Williston, died June 25, 1997, in his home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Williston, with burial in Riverview Cemetery, Williston.
He is survived by his son, Steve, Lead, S.D.; two daughters, Toni Nelson, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Susan Erickson, Williston; four sisters, Evelyn Edwards, Williston, Gladys Boe, Deer Creek, Minn., Dorothy Kvigne, Whitefish, Mont., and Helen Herberg, Washington; and one brother, Raymond, Pinewood, Minn. (Everson Funeral Home, Williston)
Hattie Lamb
BOWMAN -- Hattie M. Lamb, 81, Bowman, died July 18, 1997, in the Bowman nursing home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. MDT Monday at First Lutheran Church, Rhame, with burial in Tuttle Cemetery, Rhame.
She is survived by five daughters, Dolly Krause, Rhame, Ina Heick, Betty Olsen and Alberta Maychrzak, all of Bowman, and Diane Beverlin, Kelseyville, Calif.; and three sons, Donald, Casper, Wyo., Ed, Miles City, Mont., and William, Rapid City, S.D. (Krebsbach Funeral Service, Bowman)
Alvin Holzworth
Alvin Holzworth, 69, 725 S. 12th St., died July 19, 1997, in a Bismarck hospital. Arrangements are pending at Bismarck Funeral Home.
Pauline Dewald
STREETER -- Pauline Dewald, 88, Streeter, died July 18, 1997, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Streeter, with burial in the Lutheran Cemetery, Streeter.
She is survived by one brother, Edwin Kubler, Madison, Wis.; and seven sisters, Albina Dewald, Lawndale, Calif., Bertha Dockter, Elizabeth Dockter, Edna Schultes and Elsie Schultz, all of Streeter, Frieda Ackerman, Jamestown, and Esther Hoffer, Williston. (Haut Funeral Home, Jamestown)
Mabel Hlebechuk
DICKINSON -- Mabel Hlebechuk, 84, Dickinson, died July 18, 1997, in a Dickinson nursing home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. MDT Monday at St. John's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Belfield. Further arrangements are pending at Mischel-Olson Chapel, Dickinson.
Anna Kraemer
ASHLEY -- Anna M. Kraemer, 83, Ashley, died July 19, 1997, in the Oakes hospital. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church, Ashley. Further arrangements are pending at Carlsen Funeral Home, Ashley.
Helen Ramsey
Helen Bernice Ramsey, 79, 1912 N. Eighth St., died July 18, 1997, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Jeannette Hickman officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, and 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Perry Funeral Home, Mandan, and will continue at the church one hour before services.
Helen was born March 24, 1918, in Chinook, Mont., to Harry and Thea (Holmly) Traynor. Her family moved to Rolette County where she attended country schools. She graduated from Rolette High School and received a teaching degree from Jamestown College. She taught at various country schools in Rolette County, Rolla High School, Rugby High School, North Dakota State Industrial School and the Pre-Vocational Center in Bismarck.
She married Orville Ramsey, June 22, 1946, at Rolla. They moved to Bismarck where she and Orville have resided. They were married for 51 years.
Helen was a 50-year member of Eastern Star and served as worthy matron in 1958. She was also a member of PEO and an active member of First Presbyterian Church and its women's organizations.
She is survived by her husband, Orville; three sisters, Louise Worthington, Prophetstown, Ill., Dorothy Larson, San Diego, Calif., and Margaret Navarro, Philipsburg, N.J.; one brother, Henry Traynor, Rugby; 17 nieces and nephews; and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and one sister, Marion McDonald.
Richard Heisz
Richard Heisz, 87, 427 S. Washington St., died July 18, 1997, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Boelter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ernie Hockett officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Richard was born Dec. 9, 1909, in Sheridan County, the son of John and Rosina (Reich) Heisz, who came to the United States in 1898 from Bessarabia. They lived in South Dakota before settling in Goodrich. He was raised 11 miles northwest of Goodrich. He married Pauline Hoffer, May 19, 1939. They farmed in the Goodrich and Edmonds area before moving to Jamestown in 1957, where he worked as a truck driver. They moved to Bismarck in 1983.
He was a member of the Nazarene Church.
He is survived by one daughter, Donna Case, Portland, Ore.; one son, Duane, Eau Claire, Wis.; three granddaughters; and one great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his wife; and all of his brothers and sisters.
Catherine Reff
Catherine "Kate" Reff, 91, Bismarck, died July 18, 1997, in her home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Church of St. Mary, Bismarck, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today at Boelter Funeral Home, where a Catholic Daughters rosary will be said at 7 tonight.
Kate was born Oct. 7, 1905, in Bluffton, Minn., the daughter of Paul and Rosa (Geiser) Hamkens. She was raised and educated in Bluffton, and attended St. Mary's High School in Bismarck for two years before returning to Bluffton. She married John J. Reff, Feb. 10, 1925, in Bluffton. They came to Bismarck in 1926. Kate owned Coffee Cup Cafe, and managed the kitchens for Municipal Country Club, St. Mary's High School, K.C. Club and Bismarck High School. She catered meals for the Shriners, Order of Eastern Star and others until 1990.
She was a member of St. Jude's and St. Robert's Mission Groups, St. Mary's Prayer Group and Catholic Daughters. She was active in Municipal Bridge Club, served as an executive board member of St. Mary's Carnival, and was an honorary member of Knights of Columbus.
She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Pat and Fred Mentzer, St. Paul, Minn.; one son-in-law, Jack Zentner and his wife, Dorothy, Bismarck; six granddaughters and their spouses, Alice Zentner, Mary Jo and Bill Wocken, Judy and Jerry Hunt, Pat and Ron Gehring, Diane and Bob Graske, and Cathy and Kim Dvorak; and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; one daughter, Marion Zentner; one grandson, Jerry Zentner; one sister, Clara; brothers, Joseph and Peter; her step-sister, Marie Ecker; and her step-brother, Ben Hamkens.
Mabel Hlebechuk
DICKINSON -- Mabel Hlebechuk, 84, Dickinson, died July 18, 1997, in a Dickinson nursing home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. MDT Monday at St. John's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Belfield, with burial in the church cemetery.
She is survived by one son, Lawrence, Dickinson; and one daughter, Eleanor Whipf, Dickinson. (Mischel-Olson Chapel, Dickinson)
Curtis Pelton
DUNN CENTER -- Curtis Pelton, 58, Dunn Center, died July 19, 1997, in the Dickinson hospital. Arrangements are pending at Mischel-Olson Chapel, Dickinson.
Jenny Filkowski
BELFIELD -- Jenny Filkowski, 78, Seattle, formerly of Belfield, died July 20, 1997, in a Seattle hospital. Arrangements are pending at Mischel-Olson Chapel, Dickinson.
Kathryn Ott
DICKINSON -- Kathryn Ott, 68, Dickinson, died July 19, 1997, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 10 a.m. MDT Wednesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Dickinson. Further arrangements are pending at Price-Murphy Funeral Home, Dickinson.
Alma Glaser
JAMESTOWN -- Alma Glaser, 86, Jamestown, died July 19, 1997, in Jamestown. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, with burial in Coleharbor Cemetery.
She is survived by three sons, Wayne, Jamestown, Clair, San Jose, Calif., and Gary, Long Beach, Calif.
Almore Christianson
Almore Christianson, 87, Rolette, died July 20, 1997, in Mandan. Arrangements are pending at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, Mandan.
