Kenneth C. Porter

Kenneth C. "Butch" Porter, age 69 of Park River, ND passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at Triumph Hospital in Fargo, ND. Kenneth C. "Butch" Porter was born May 23, 1941 in Park River, ND the son of the late Charles and Lorraine (Diemert) Porter. Kenneth grew up and attended school in Park River graduating from Walsh County Ag School in 1959. He attended the Wahpeton State School of Science graduating in 1961 and then worked as a steel worker in Grand Forks. Kenneth then returned to Park River and started his own business Porter Auto Repair & Salvage, he later operated Porter Iron & Metal, and Porter Construction where he worked until his death. Kenneth was united in marriage to Helen Svir on November 28, 1964 in Park River, ND. In 1982 Kenneth founded Butch's Buffalo Ranch and he was currently raising over 100 buffalo. Butch had many friends and thoroughly enjoyed the conversations at the Round Table at Gramma Jo's each morning. He raced stock cars, bowled, enjoyed hunting and was a member of the CB radio club. He raised buffalo for over 25 years and was an avid Fighting Sioux and Aggie fan. His pride and joy were his 12 grandchildren. Papa Butch loved them deeply and followed all of their activities. He will be deeply missed. He was a member of the Federated Church, the North American Bison Co-op, the National Buffalo Association, Aggie Booster Club, Recipient of the Aggie Super Booster award & past Booster Club President. He was also a member of the Wahpeton College Alumni, President of the Memorial Park Cemetery Association, President of the Church Board, and former member of the Jaycee's. He is survived by his wife Helen, Park River, ND; his children: Nancy (Scott) Kosmatka, Oslo, MN; Robert (Janelle) Porter, Crookston, MN; Donald Jay (Amy) Porter, Park River, ND; grandchildren: Kendra, Dylan, Kaytelyn, Neil, Morgan, Ryan, Jenna, Dominick, Sydney, Kenneth Charles II Chucky,' Emma, and Isaac; brother Glen (Dolores) Porter, Park River, ND; sisters: Janice (Jerry) Wolf, Billings, MT; Barbara Vanantwerp, Springfield, IL; Deborah (Jim) Lane; Billings, MT. Several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, and several aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be Monday, September 13, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at the Federated Church of Park River, ND. Visitation will be Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 5-7 P.M. with a prayer service at 7 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Monday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, ND.