In Memory of Michael "Mike" P. Porter

Michael “Mike” P. Porter, age 59, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s of Sioux City, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2019, at the Arthur Evangelical Free Church of Arthur, Iowa. Pastor Dave Schultz will officiate with Committal Services following in the Hayes Township Cemetery of Arthur, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 18, 2019, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Michael “Mike” Paul Porter, the son of Charles “Chuck” and Sally (Frank) Porter, was born on June 28, 1960, in Iowa Falls, IA. Mike grew up and received his education in Odebolt, IA, graduating with the Odebolt-Arthur class of 1979. After graduation Mike entered the workforce. His most recent employment was at Farmers Area Coop in Schleswig, IA, where he had been employed for 16 years.

On May 22, 1992, Mike was united in marriage to Michelle Freed. The couple were blessed with a daughter, Dakota and the family made their home in Ida Grove, IA. The family loved their camping trips to Crawford Creek, Hidden Acres and Camp Crescent. Mike enjoyed fishing and teaching his daughter how to hunt. Family meant everything to Mike. He relished in time spent with his large family and loved trying to keep up with his grandson, Axel. 

Mike was a member of the Arthur Evangelical Free Church where he held various offices within the church. He served as a volunteer on Wednesday nights helping with the AWANA program and was the church’s camp representative for Hidden Acres Christian Center for over 20 years. Mike was also a 20-year member of the Ida Grove Fire Department. His fire department family was something he held near and dear to his heart.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife Michelle Porter of Ida Grove, IA; daughter Dakota Porter (special friend Tristan Bengford) and grandson Axel Bengford of Ida Grove, IA; mother Sally Porter of Odebolt, IA; siblings Peg (Bill) Bahr of Iowa Falls, IA, Pam Porter of Odebolt, IA, Mary (Ted) Simpson of Cedar Park, TX, Jim (Stephanie) Porter of Ida Grove, IA and Valerie (Mike) Bechtold of Brooklyn Park, MN; mother-in-law Garnet Perkins and spouse Bill Wilmes of Loveland, CO; sister-in-law Janine Freed of Loveland, CO; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by maternal and paternal grandparents; his father Chuck Porter; and niece Pamela Bahr.