Vernon "Vern" Dell Porter

Vernon “Vern” D. Porter, age 85, of Willmar, passed away Tuesday, April 19, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be at Lebanon Cemetery in New London with military honors provided by the New London American Legion Post #537.  Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Vernon “Vern” Dell Porter was born on July 7, 1936, in Miller, South Dakota, the son of William Dell and Esther Fern (Horn) Porter.  He grew up in the St. Lawrence and Miller communities, graduated from St. Lawrence High School in 1954 and then served for 3 years in the U.S. Air Force.  On October 11, 1958, Vern was married to Marlene Tepfer and they made their home in Willmar and were blessed with four children, Dell, Glen, Vicki and Gary.  In 1973, they moved to New London.  Vern was employed for over 35 years at the Willmar State Hospital as a hospital aide and activity director.  Following his retirement from the WRTC, he drove school bus and tour bus for 8 years, officially retiring in 2005. 

Vern was an active member of the New London American Legion Post #537 and served as Post Commander in 1986 and was a life member of the Willmar V.F.W. Post #1639.  Vern was also an active member of the Willmar Eagle’s Aire #2334, where he served as President and 3 times as the District President.  In 2005, he was elected the Minnesota State Eagle’s President and was inducted into the Eagle’s Hall of Fame in June of 2010.  During his 45 years of membership with the Eagle’s, Vern was awarded Aeire, District and State Eagle of the Year.  He was very involved in Confidence Learning Center raising over $500,000 for the camp.  In his spare time, Vern enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports.

He is survived by three children, Glen (and Becky) Porter of Andover, Vicki (and Rob) Smith of Willmar and Gary Porter of New London and five grandchildren, Shania, Jared, Jacob, Mattson and Kyler, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marlene in 2020 and one son, Dell in 1979.