Leo K. Porter

Leo K. Porter, Jr. of Harrietta passed away Friday, February 16, 2024 at Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital. He was 93.Leo was born August 3, 1930 in Harrietta, Michigan to Leo K. & Garnet L. (Ault) Porter. He met who was to become his lifelong friend, partner and wife of 68 years, Betty Louise Fortelka, on a bus for a school trip to the International Livestock Show in Chicago. They continued to court while he attended Michigan State University and completed his program in Agriculture. They married on May 26, 1951 and moved to Leo’s family dairy farm. After he served for two years in the Army in Korea, he and Betty picked up their life of farming. Betty preceded him in death on September 23, 2019. By far, Leo’s favorite pastime was polka dancing with Betty. They had close to 70 years to perfect their dancing together, and it showed. When they weren’t harvesting hay or milking cows, they could always be found at a local polka dance. Leo said sometimes they’d rush in the house after doing chores, splash a little water on their faces, change their clothes and head to the dance floor! He also loved farming, especially with Betty. They worked side-by-side for their entire married lifeand built a thriving, successful farm in Slagle Township. Their farm became the “go-to” place for anyone who needed hay or some spare parts, wanted to talk farming or just wanted a piece of Betty’s homemade pie. In addition to his busy life farming, he found the time to serve on numerous local and State boardsand organizations, including 41 years on the Slagle Township Board andmany years on the Wexford County Soil Conservation District Board. Despite all this, he still found time to sit down with any visitors, who quickly became friends, and to always offer any help that was needed. He was a gift to the community who will never be forgotten. He is survived by his daughters: Nancy (Craig) Gabier, Jill (Bob) Marsh and Peggy (Bob) Randel; sister, Elaine Fortelka; grandsons: Justin, Ian, Austin (Jami), Michael (Euphemia), David (Rachel) and Chris; granddaughters, Kristina and Heather; and great-grandchildren Sawyer, Kennedy, Payson and Hayden. In addition to his wife Betty, Leo was preceded in death by a grandson Joel Raymond; a sister, Betty (Keith) Paul and an infant brother,Dean; in-laws Paul Fortelka, Mary Ann (Willard) Evens, and Carl (Betty) Fortelka. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, February 23, 2024 at Peterson Funeral and Cremation Services in Cadillac. Friends may meet the family Thursday, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.Burial will be at Sixteen Cemetery in Harrietta at a later date. There will be a luncheon after the service on Friday at the Springville Township Community Center in Mesick. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrietta Fire Department or Mid-Michigan Honor Flight, PO Box 98, Gowen, MI 49326. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Leo K. Porter

August 3, 1930 - February 16, 2024