Betty Jean Porter

Betty Jean Porter, age 92, of Cumberland, IA, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, at her residence in Cumberland.

With our hearts full of love and gratitude, we gather to honor and celebrate the life of Betty Jean Porter (Eastman). For 92 wonderful years, Betty filled this world with kindness and unwavering love. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic with Pastor Mike Martin officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the Cumberland Community Building.

Burial will be at a later date at the Reno Cemetery in rural Cumberland.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be directed to the family for future designation and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home to P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, IA 50022.

Betty was born on June 29, 1932 in Guthrie County, IA. She graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1950. She married the love of her life, Eldon Earl Porter on June 20, 1954 and settled into their home in Cumberland, IA shortly after. They celebrated 50 wonderful years together before Eldon passed in 2004. Betty was a loving wife to Eldon and devoted mother to Steven, Deborah, David, and Donna.

Together, Betty and Eldon raised pigs, sheep, cows, chickens and dogs on their farm in Cumberland. Betty loved her puppies, and she enjoyed sharing them with her grandchildren. Betty worked hard in her flower and vegetable garden each year and looked forward to the fruits of her labor every harvest.

Betty was always cooking and baking for her family. The door was always open at Grandma Betty’s house with a freezer full of ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. She was a dependable mother and friend and could always be counted on to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Betty had a passion for reading and was a natural storyteller. She worked as the Cumberland Librarian for many years and loved reading to young children. Betty was a proud member of the Bottles and Diaper Club within the community. She nurtured her friendships through monthly get-togethers at club members’ homes and coffee dates at the Chuckwagon Café. Betty was a talented seamstress. One could find Betty in the sewing room making beautiful clothes for her daughters or crocheting an Afghan blanket for her grandkids.

Betty was a strong woman of faith and was an active member at the United Methodist Church. Betty’s greatest joy was her family. In addition to her four children, she had 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren that brought immeasurable joy into her life. She reveled in their laughter, nurtured their dreams, and imparted upon them the profound importance of family first.

Though she is no longer with us, her spirit lives in the family she adored, the lives she touched, and the love she shared so freely.

Betty is survived by her brother: Eldon Dean Eastman of Dallas Center, IA, four children: sons Steven Porter of Cumberland, IA, David (Tracy) Porter of Honey Creek, IA, daughters Deborah Lasher of Omaha, NE and Donna Porter of Wiota, IA. Grandchildren: Jon Porter of Des Moines, IA, Marie Porter of Anita, IA, Laura Porter (Leslie) of Lacey, WA, Sarah Porter (Dakota) of Omaha, NE, Chelsea (RJ) Weidner of Omaha, NE, Chase Porter of Crescent, IA, Eric (Marti) Lasher of Omaha, NE, Katie (Ryan) Trosdahl of St. Cloud, MN, Shaelin Lasher of Omaha, NE, Paul Herrera of Bellevue, NE and many great grandchildren.

She is proceeded in death by her husband, Eldon, parents Harry and Lois (Burkhardt) Eastman, sister Beverly (McCoy) Eastman, brother, Alvin Eastman, daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Porter and grandson Daniel Porter.