Rolan D. Porter

Nov. 27, 1928 – Nov. 13, 2020

Rolan D. Porter, 91, passed away quietly on Nov. 13, 2020 at his home in New Brighton, Minnesota.

Rolan was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota on Nov. 27, 1928 to Dwight and Edna Porter. He grew up in Albert Lea, graduating high school in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Rolan married Irene Olness in May 1953. Together they raised six children. They lived in Albert Lea, Columbus, Nebraska, and Mounds View, Minnesota. Rolan spent his career in production management and sales positions with several manufacturers, with a small diversion as a farrier.

Rolan liked to hunt ducks and catch fish. He did both on East Lost Lake in Underwood, Minnesota, where they owned a cabin for several years after their retirement. He especially enjoyed having the whole family gather there, as long as the visits were brief. Rolan loved to tell stories, many of them more than once (it’s how he taught family history). He was a voracious reader — often reading more than one book at a time. He enjoyed playing cribbage and bridge (only duplicate bridge was worthwhile in his opinion) throughout his life. Rolan was committed to cocktail hour.

Surviving Rolan are his wife, Irene; children, Steve (Annette) Porter or West Fargo, North Dakota, Julie (Doug) Miedtke of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, David (Linda) Porter of Columbus, Nebraska, Jason (Denise) Porter of Coon Rapids Minnesota, and Amy (Revelle) Russell of Homer, Alaska; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Preceding him in death were his parents; infant sister, Pearl; infant daughter, Paula; son, Roger; and granddaughter, Tara.

A grave side service will be held next year in Albert Lea. Memorials may be given to Ramsey County Libraries, online at https://rclfriends.org/support-us/donate/.

Arrangements with the assistance of Bonnerup Funeral Service (bonnerupfuneralservice.com).