Phyllis Beth Porter was born October 25, 1926 to Chester and Florence (Miller) Dean. She died January 6, 2025 at the Mitchell County Hospital at the age of 98 years and 2 months.
Phyllis attended Rose Valley Grade School, Athens Rural High School for three years and graduated from Glen Elder High School in 1944. She began her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse teaching at Rose Valley for two years and then the Ionia Grade School.
On December 29, 1946 she was united in marriage to Max Porter at her parents' home north of Glen Elder. In their early married years, they lived on numerous farms in Mitchell and Jewell Counties. They purchased their forever home at the north edge of Glen Elder in 1953. Three children were born to this union: John Dean, Kathy Leigh and Tim E.
They began a lifelong career of raising hogs, cattle and farming. Porters Porkers became a well-known name in the hog circuit throughout Kansas and neighboring states. Phyllis was an active member of the Glen Elder United Methodist Church. She held every office of the church, taught Sunday School for years, played the organ every Sunday and for many funerals. She was an instrumental member of the Glen Elder Family Historical Book Committee working to preserve the heritage of Glen Elder. She was an avid bridge player and loved the time spent with her "bridge ladies." Phyllis had a passion for sports. It started at a young age watching her brothers and continued as she followed her children and grandchildren. There never was a time you entered her home that she didn't have a game on the TV or radio. Some of her proudest moments were being chosen Kansas Farm Family of the Year in 1964 and being selected Master Farmer and Homemaker of Kansas in 1983.
Phyllis was a stay at home mother but worked full time on the farm. She was the hub that kept the wheel turning. Her dedication to the farm is visible in the huge oak tree that stands proudly in her front yard. The tree is known as one of the oldest in Mitchell County and she treasured it as a symbol of their roots.
Phyllis did enjoy working one day a week at the Sportsman Cafe in Glen Elder. Her life was centered around her family. She attended every family event in which her children and grandchildren participated. She loved holidays and decorating her home for family and friends. Her favorite was Christmas. This Christmas she was determined to make each celebration her children hosted. Her familiar quote describes her heart, "We are a family who can work, laugh, cry and pray together. With God's help, love united our family so that stumbling blocks were turned into stepping stones."
Survivors include her son, John and wife Diane, Glen Elder; daughter, Kay Gaston and Kim, Glen Elder; son, Tim and wife Janet, Glen Elder; grandchildren, Shale and wife Dawn, Dustin and wife Jodi, Shasta Weatherman and husband Bryan, Shauna Remus and husband Creighton, Kam Gaston and wife Toni, Shanae Stanton and husband Jarrett, and Shandee Porter; nine great-grandchildren, Jalyn, Tatem, Peyton, Kinley, Braedee, Brandy, Hudson, Boede, Brecken and Archer; and two special members of our farm family, Jeff Kastrup and Jorge Nava. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Waiting with open arms to greet her in Heaven were her husband, Max; parents, Chester and Florence; brothers, Gerald Dean and wife Judy, and Robert Dean.
Memorial services will be at 1 PM Saturday, January 11, at the First Methodist Church of Glen Elder.
Visitation with family present will be from 4-6 PM Friday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place.
Memorials may be given to the Church or the Glen Elder Senior Center.
Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com