Betty Jean Porter

Porter (nee Kranz), Betty Jean Passed on 5/3/2024, in the early hours, sleeping in her apartment at Kingsley Shores Senior Living in Lakeville, where she has lived since January of 2021. Betty was the only child of Fred & Erna Kranz, born on September 17, 1928. Erna passed away when she was 17 months old. She was raised in the St. Paul Summit Hill area on Osceola, just SW of Lexington Parkway and Grand Avenue. Her father remarried to Cordula Banken when she was three. She schooled in the neighborhood and graduated from St. Paul Central High School. She often lamented how grand the castle like "Collegiate Gothic" exterior looked in her day and was disappointed with the updating that took place in the 1970's and 80's. She married Charles A. Porter on August 27, 1949, and gave birth to four boys, three born in Roseville on Roma Avenue, one in Bettendorf, IA. They later divorced. Betty was a homemaker that worked PT while her boys were growing up. In the early years she worked in a nearby children's clothing store at Lexington & Larpenteur, where most if not all of her paychecks went to outfitting the boys in the finest clothing and shoes. After a 3-year stint in Bettendorf IA, the family moved back to MN in 1964, settling in the newly formed suburb Burnsville. There she worked PT in floral shops, still dressing her kids in the latest, supporting them in sports and even as a Cub Scout Den Mother. Eventually she opened her own floral arrangement business, Shower of Flowers, providing arrangements, center pieces and decorations to friends and organizations around the area. Later in life she worked full-time for the US Department of Agriculture, in their office in DT Minneapolis, from where she eventually retired. Betty was quite athletic, playing golf, tennis, and bowling. In her youth she even speed skated at her grandfather's rink in the Cathedral Hill area. All fit in with her competitive nature. In time she would focus on golf and tennis, earning trophies and championships over the years. She was Women's Club Champion at Lost Spur Country Club numerous times in the 70's. Even in her seventies she won trophies. One in a Parent/Child golf tournament with her son Craig and another at a Grandparent/Grandchild tennis tournament with grandson Bill. For many years she played numerous MN Women's Golf Association (MWGA) events all around the state often placing or winning her flight. She was very sociable, joining clubs and activities groups wherever she lived. She would volunteer her time participating in their governance, holding numerous board positions. The MWGA, the Osman Shrine Auxiliary, New Sociables, and her church St. Marks UCC, all benefitted from devoted hours of effort and love. Betty absolutely loved getting together with her Kranz (paternal) side of the family. In the early days it was trips to Uncle Wally's cabin in Turtle Lake (WI). Lately, the annual Kranz family get together at Jim & Pam's home on Fish Lake (WI) as well as the Kranz Family, Day After Thanksgiving 500 Card Party. All were "must do" events on her annual calendar. Betty is survived by her sons, Scott (Julie), Craig (Gwen Carman), Dan (Molly) and Jerry (Kim) Porter. Seven grandchildren Sarah, Steve, Cameron, Jenny, Bill, Mallory, and McKenzie. Nine Great Grandchildren Tristen, Landon, Morgan, Heidi, Asher, Aubriella, Paul, Rylee, Elise. Cousins, Jim (Pam) Kranz and Thomas (Sharon) Kranz, and many Kranz extended cousins. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, and dear friend Don Jensen. A special thank you to Kingsley Shores Senior Living and ALL her friends there that shared meals, played games, and socialized with her. Thank you to her friends at the Osman Shrine Auxiliary and New Sociables for helping transport her to meetings, luncheons, and events these last few years. A funeral service will be held on May 29, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at St. Paul's UCC Church, 900 Summit Avenue, St. Paul MN. Visitation will be held an hour before the service. A family only Interment to follow at Elmhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Osman Shrine Auxiliary Healthcare/Children's Hospital. Thank you, Ma, for all your love, your care, and your efforts to make this a better world for us all to live in. We are sure you are now back on the court and golf course, winning as usual.

Tributes

Betty Jean Porter

September 17, 1928 - May 3, 2024

Tributes

Betty Jean Porter

September 17, 1928 - May 3, 2024

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