Jeanette Porter

Mass of Christian Burial for Jeanette Porter, 59, of Marshall, will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2011, at St. Mary’s Chapel, Holy Redeemer School, in Marshall. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Rehkamp – Horvath Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will continue from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Jeanette Marie (Kaelble) Porter was born on November 7, 1951, in St. Paul, MN, to Albert and Audrey (Knutson) Kaelble. She grew up in St. Paul and graduated from Harding High School. Jeanette’s career was with public transportation services, most recently working as Transit Director with Western Community Action. A May, 2011, letter to the editor written by John Fitzgerald describes Jeanette’s passion for her job this way: "Jeanette is recognized in regional, state, and federal circles for her work in community transportation. She was awarded the Minnesota Transit Professional of the Year in 1991 and held seats on the Minnesota Public Transit Association board as well as being involved in the National Community Transit Association of America where she has been invited on several occasions to present her view on how coordination is vital to affordable transportation. Jeanette inspires a culture of care and respect in how the Community Transit program of Western Community Action operates. Often, when people come to Western Community Action they are desperate for help because they are experiencing a hardship that they cannot solve themselves. In many cases they have lost hope. For Jeanette, providing affordable quality transportation to people in need is more than "the wheels on the bus going round, round, round", it is people helping people and changing lives." Jeanette was the definition of “people helping people” and changing lives. She lived and loved with a vibrance that made her presence an unexpected gift. She was an encouraging inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to share in her life. On November 15, 2008, she was married to Curt Porter of Marshall and a true love story was lived. Foremost in Jeanette’s life was family. In addition to her career, Jeanette enjoyed canoeing, travel, spending time with family and friends. She was always vibrant and ready to join in on the action. She always revealed a true interest and compassion for mankind and enjoyed the diversity of all. She died after a lengthy battle with cancer on Monday, June 6, 2011, at her residence in Marshall, with her family by her side. She is survived by her husband, Curt, of Marshall, children Jesse (and Bobbi Cote) Aguirre of Marshall Jeremy Aguirre (and Ann Petersen) of Marshall, Jennifer (and Ken) Sobaski of North Tustin, CA, step-children Mike Porter of Owatonna, Barb (and Dave) Wilson of Glendale, AZ, Nancy Porter (and Tom Francis) of Armstrong, IA, Debra Porter (and Robert Smith) of Marshall, six grandchildren and brother Stephen Kaelble of Moose Lake, MN. She was preceded in death by her father Robert Kaelble and mother, Audrey Kaelble.