Gladstone, MI
Rita A. Porath, of Gladstone, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, April 30, 2015, at the Christian Park Village in Escanaba, at the age of 90 years.
Rita was born October 9, 1924 in Gladstone the daughter of Joseph and Marie (Thivierge) Lauzon. She was raised in Gladstone and was united in marriage to Royal Valiquette on September 12, 1942. Together they had six children and made their home in Escanaba. Royal passed away on January 11, 1958. On June 11, 1966, Rita was united in marriage to Jack H. Porath and together the couple made their home and raised their family of twelve in Schaeffer and Pine Ridge. Jack died on March 16, 2015
Rita worked for many years selling Stanley Home Products. She also was a 4-H Leader for over 25 years. Rita was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone and the Bark River American Legion Auxiliary. Her hobbies included gardening, crocheting, knitting, and making afghans. She had made afghans for all of her grandchildren. Rita loved children, especially her grandchildren. Her family has requested in her memory that memorial contributions be directed to the Feed My Starving Children Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski Family Funeral Homes. She also enjoyed camping and playing bingo.
Survivors include:
Sons:
Larry (Mary) Valiquette of Escanaba, MI
Dennis (Kathleen) Porath of Riverland, MI
Daughters:
Yvonne (Kenneth) Waller of Escanaba, MI
Diana (Terry) Hooper of Appleton, WI
Nancy (Allen) Porath of Bark River, MI
Katherine Beatty of Juno, Alaska
Carolyn (Charles) Thoune of Gladstone, MI
Margaret (James) Reiffers of Green Bay, WI
Mary (Mike) Bintner of Escanaba, MI
Lori (Richard) DuBord of Escanaba, MI
Also surviving are 42 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband
Katherine s Beatty
She always had croquette hooks and was making a afghan for someone. Even when her fingers hurt so bad she wanted everyone to have one. Beans where her favorite and she made her mothers recipe. She made hundreds of pounds of these for every occasion.
With raising 6 kids and then adding another 6 she would always have loads of food to feed everyone. Cause even though 14 where at the table, there were also friends and others there to.
She never treated anyone different and she only wanted both families to get along.
The Grand-babies, Great Grand-Babies and any baby where her favorite.
She struggled to make sure everything was fair, if there was not enough for all, no one got it.
Gladstone was her favorite place to live and she grew up there and finished her latter days there.
Rest in Peace there Mom, I know that the angels finally came and called your number.
Susie Lauzon Imel
Aunt Rita always had a beautiful smile, loved her family and was a blessing to all who knew her.To her family:
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May He let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
May He look upon you kindly and give you peace.