Helen Faye Porter

In Loving Memory of Helen Faye (Svir) Porter

10/4/1942 – 10/18/2025

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we announce the passing of Helen Porter, who left this world peacefully on Saturday, October 18, 2025, surrounded by love.

Born in Park River, North Dakota, Helen carried her pride with dignity and deep affection. She was proud of her husband and the love of her life, Kenneth (Butch) Porter whom she married in a blizzard on November 28, 1964. She ran multiple businesses with Butch including raising buffalo on the family land. She was proud of the three children they raised, Nancy, Bob, and Donny, and proud to be a lifelong Park River Aggie! She graduated in 1962 from the Walsh County Agricultural School and held a treasured lifetime pass to every Aggie event. Helen’s faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she found deep meaning as a member of the Federated Church, where so many of life’s milestones were celebrated.

Her pride reached her extended family and friends with warmth and loyalty. She deeply cherished her close relationships, finding joy in spending time with her beloved sisters, nieces, and nephews. Their visits were filled with laughter, making lasting memories. She loved the regular gatherings of the Breakfast Club - the kind of friendship that lifted her spirit and made days brighter. But above all, Helen’s greatest joy and pride were her twelve grandchildren. She was committed to attending as many of their events as possible, cheering them on with unwavering support – sometimes quite loudly. And in a way that only she could, she found delight in the beautiful girl, boy pattern of their births — a detail that brought her endless joy and a smile every time she spoke of it – and she spoke of it often.

She was at the heart of the family home — a presence who made every holiday magical with endless decorations, laughter, and too much food. She made ordinary days feel special. She loved to play cards! She had a playful spirit and a competitive streak that came alive around the card table. She was always ready for a game — whether it was Whist, Shanghai, Hand and Foot, or Kings in the Corner — and she played with a mix of strategy, humor, and just a touch of mischief. In her early years, she was an avid bowler. In her later years, puzzles became her quiet passion, and she could spend hours piecing together beautiful scenes, often with a grandchild or two by her side.

She is survived by her children: Nancy (Scott) Kosmatka, Oslo MN, Robert (Janelle) Porter, Crookston MN, and Donald (Amy) Porter, Park River ND; Grandchildren: Kendra (Kevin) Hatcher, Dylan (Lindsey) Porter, Kaytelyn (Tim) Desrosier, Neil (Savannah) Nagle, Morgan Porter, Ryan Porter, Jenna Porter, Dominick Kosmatka, Sydney (Colton) Ratchenski, Kenneth Porter II, Emma Porter, and Isaac Porter, each of whom carries a piece of her spirit. Great Grandchildren: Bennett, Kallyn, Keegan, Breelyn, Keira, Kashton, Brooks, and James; Her best friend and sister: Libby (Maynard) Buck; In Laws: Harry Blomstedt, Janice Wolf, Glen Porter, Barb Vanantwerp, and Debby (Jim) Lane. Several nieces and nephews also survive whom she loved deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Frances (Praska) Svir, her husband, Butch, Sisters Lorraine (Edward) Narloch, Mayme Blomstedt, and Brother Gerald Svir, whom she now joins in eternal peace.

Memorial services will be Friday, October 24, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. at the Park River Federated Church, Park River, ND. Visitation will be on Friday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, ND. The service will be livestreamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website on Helen’s obituary page.

Though we mourn her loss, we celebrate her life — a life that touched so many and left us with a lifetime of joyful memories. We will miss her every day, but we will carry her love with us always.