Lorraine A. Porter

Lorraine A. Porter was born on January 12, 1920 in Richardton, ND, she passed away March 26, 2017.  She was one of nine children born to John A. and Elizabeth (Brittner) Forster.  Lorraine lived in Richardton until 1942 when she married Melvin Porter.  In 1943 Melvin and Lorraine moved to Cut Bank, MT where Melvin worked for the railroad until 1948 then moved to Halliday, ND where they operated Mel’s Café until 1965.   They moved to Leith, ND in 1965 and raised cattle until 1981 when they retired and moved to Bismarck, ND. After Mel’s death in 2004 Lorraine lived in Bismarck until 2008 then moved to Grand Forks, ND to be near her son Michael and his wife Ann.  Lorraine lived at Valley Memorial Homes until her death.  Lorraine prepared home made meals daily in the living quarters at the back of Mel’s Cafe in addition to the many hours she worked in the restaurant.  She was well known in the area for her great home cooked meals as well as her homemade pies and cookies. During their retired years Lorraine and Mel had a lake home on Lake Sakakawea where they enjoyed fishing and spending time with family and friends. One of Lorraine’s greatest joys was having her granddaughters Mary and Julie at the lake during summer vacations.  Lorraine enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing cards, and spent many hours crocheting with each family member and  grandchild receiving one of her afghan blankets.  She was a kind and caring person. Her and Mel’s most memorable vacation was a trip to England in 1971 where they visited Mel’s family relatives.  The story of their trip was heard many times at family gatherings. Lorraine is survived by her sons Thomas of Elgin, ND and Michael (Ann) of Grand Forks, grandchildren Mary Porter Atlanta, GA and Julie (Brandon) Brown, great grandchildren Kaylee and Brody Brown Rogers, MN,  brothers Francis and Bill and sisters Florence Campagna all from Bismarck and Grace Kearns of Augusta, Georgia.   She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Melvin, brothers Ervin and John Forster, sisters Irene Walth and Phyliss Rinker,  In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials to either the North Dakota Veterans  Cemetery, 1825 46th Street, Mandan, ND 58554 or Valley Memorial Homes 4004 24th Avenue South,  Grand Forks, ND 58201.  A private family burial service will be held at the Veterans Cemetery in Mandan ND on Friday morning May 12, 2017. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Ceremony at the Kelley Inn 1800 North 12 Street, Bismarck, ND beginning at noon Friday May 12, 2017.