Grace M. Porter

Grace Marie Porter was born March 12, 1928, to James Elmer and Martha Vera Grace Decker. She died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at 96 years old.

Marie grew up around Peru in Madison County attending Moore Country School until seventh grade and then attended and graduated from Peru Town School in 1946. After graduation she moved to El Reno, Oklahoma, and lived with her Aunt Lillian Bickell. She returned to Peru doing housecleaning and childcare for many different families.

On March 14, 1952, she married Johnny Giles Porter and they moved to Des Moines where she worked for Fox Printing. Marie had two children, Judy Marie Knipfel and Johnny James Porter. The family moved to Osceola where Marie worked as a certified nurse’s aide at Osceola Leisure Manor for 18 years.

Marie had many interests that included embroidery, reading, antiquing, collecting dolls and rock hunting. Her love of jewelry was clear every time you saw her and she amassed quite a collection of statement pieces. She enjoyed spending time with her entire family and was a loved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Grace Decker; her husband, Johnny Porter; both of her children, Johnny James Porter and Judy Knipfel and her siblings, Gene Decker, Dean Decker, Lois Dillinger, Jim Decker, Dale Decker, Joe Decker and Lee Decker.

She is survived by her brother, Everett Decker; grandchildren, Ann Marie Porter and Kristopher Porter and great-grandchild Alexander James Vicks.

Services for Marie were held at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola. Burial was held following the service at Peru Cemetery.