Porath, Ernest (1924-2008)
PORATH, DEGNER, BYERS, KELLEY, MILLER, SUGGS, KRAUSE, KANSLER, HOSFORD, STEINOCHER, FASSETT, BENNA, MESSER
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 4/19/2010 at 14:46:59
Ernest Porath - Dec. 31, 1924 - Dec. 17, 2008
Ernest “Ernie” Porath, age 83, of Newell, Iowa, died on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Ernest Fredrick Porath was born December 31, 1924, in Newell, Iowa, the son of Edward and Anna (Degner) Porath. Ernie was baptized at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Newell as an infant and later confirmed his faith as a youth at the same church. He was raised in the Newell community where he received his education and graduated from Newell High School.
Following high school, on July 28, 1944, Ernie joined the United States Army and was stationed in the Philippine Islands with the 43rd Infantry Division during World War II. He was awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star, Combat Inf Badge, APTC Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star, and World War II Victory Ribbon before he was honorably discharged on December 15, 1945.
On February 10, 1948, Ernie was united in marriage to Bonnie June Byers in Sac City, Iowa. The couple was blessed with four children: Linda, Larry, Randy and Arnie. Ernie and Bonnie June raised their family on the farm in rural Newell. Bonnie June passed away on August 23, 1995. On November 25, 2007, Ernie was married to Coral Byers.
Ernie loved the land and he loved farming. In 2008, he retired from farming. He was also a rural letter carrier for 25 years and enjoyed the contact he had with those people on his daily route.
A lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Newell, Ernie served his Lord to the best of his abilities and in a number of ways. He held the offices of Treasurer, Elder and Trustee in the church over the years. He was also a 4-H and a Boy Scout volunteer. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his friends. His family was always his first priority in life, and he treasured the time he spent with them. Ernie, in return, was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Coral, of Newell; daughter Linda Porath-Kelley of Ames, Iowa; son Larry (Karen) Porath of Emmetsburg, Iowa; son Arnie (Colleen) Porath of Ankeny, Iowa; bonus children: John Byers, Jean Miller and Carol Byers; grandchildren: Denise (Kelley) Suggs; Trevor Porath, Ryan Porath, Amanda Porath, Amy Porath, Matthew Porath, Adam Porath, and Anita (Porath) Krause; bonus grandchildren: Terri Kansler, B.J. Miller, Annie Miller, Lila Miller, Christopher Byers and Kelsey Byers; great-grandchildren: Garrett Suggs, Kelley Suggs, Ally Porath, Camden Porath, Grace Ann Porath, Cameron Porath, Alexander Porath and Caleb Porath; bonus great-grandchildren: Devin Kansler, Emily Kansler, Mikey Hosford, Lillian Steinocher, Hailey Steinocher and Mackenzie Fassett; sisters: Naomi Benna of Storm Lake, Iowa and Hazel (Robert) Messer of Cedar Falls, Iowa; extended family and many friends.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Anna Porath; his first wife, Bonnie June Porath; his son, Randy Porath; and his brother, Raymond Porath.
Funeral services for Mr. Porath will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2008, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Newell. Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery with full military rites by American Legion Post 193. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
A time of visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 20th, before service time.
Memorials in Ernie’s honor may be directed to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Newell.
Copyright © 2008, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
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