Norma Jean Porath passed away Monday, January 8, 2024 surrounded by her loving family and the caring staff at Harbor Senior Care in Lincoln.
Norma was born November 29, 1935, and baptized May 9, 1937, in Millboro SD. She was confirmed into the Grace Lutheran Church of Valentine, NE.
Norma attended country school through eighth grade, then graduated in 1953 from Winner High School. After graduation, she moved to Pierre, SD where she was employed at the Capitol for two years.
In 1957, she moved to Valentine to work for the Nebraska Public Power District as a billing clerk. She then worked for the City of Valentine as the City Clerk for over a decade. After leaving the city office, Norma served the business office for Valentine Community Schools in a variety of roles. She served 23 years for VCS until her retirement and is still a respected and treasured part of the district’s history. After retirement, she worked in home health care for two years, serving others in their time of need.
On June 28, 1960, Norma was united in marriage to Wayne Porath at Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine. Norma and Wayne’s loving marriage spanned nearly half a century and blessed them with three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. While raising their children, Norma loved hosting family gatherings, volunteering her time with Grace Lutheran Church Ladies Aide, and attending Valentine Volunteer Fire Department events with Wayne and their closest friends.
She was an avid bowler and spent many hours at her needlepoint. Norma and Wayne were devoted gardeners, and together, they perfected canning their produce into recipes that are still sought after by family and friends. She enjoyed traveling with family and spoiling her pets and was well known for her out-of-this-world sugar cookies. Over the years, many considered Norma’s house their home, none as special, though, as her blessed grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Norma is preceded in death by parents, Kenneth and Katherine Painter; husband, Wayne Porath; brother, Kenneth Painter Jr.; and sister, Darlene (Mike) Meyers.
She is survived by daughter, Cheryl (Rick) Bennett of Valentine, daughter, Deborah (John) O’Connor of Lincoln, son, Brent (Julie Rodgers) Porath of Valentine; grandchildren, Allison O’Connor of Lincoln and Collin O’Connor of Omaha, Jennifer (Colton) Johnson of Burke, SD, Ernesto and Samantha Porath of Veracruz, Mexico, and Jared (Natalie) Bennett of Ogallala; great-grandchildren, Legend Bennett, Lawson and Ronan Johnson.
Funeral service for Norma Porath age 88, was held on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Valentine. A burial followed at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with service arrangements.
