Jennifer L. Porter

Jennifer Lou Porter, 50, of Newton, died Sunday, July 2, 2017, at Newton Healthcare Center. A visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 8 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials to the Salvation Army or to Jennifer’s family may be left at the funeral home.

Jennifer, the daughter of Jimmie and Carolyn (Turner) Porter, was born Dec. 21, 1966, in Newton. She grew up in Newton, graduating in 1985 from Newton High School. Growing up, Jennifer loved to go to the skating rink and during high school, Jennifer played softball and was known as the “Home Run Queen.” Jennifer worked as a dietary aide for 21 years at Skiff Medical Center and then later as a CNA at Newton Village and Nelson Manor. She was active in the Newton Girls Softball Association and the Iowa Women’s Bowling Association. Jennifer loved 80s music and 80s movies along with watching her favorite television shows. She was also a great cook and was known for her lasagna, chili, deviled eggs and spring salad. Jennifer was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Green Bay Packers fan.

Those left to celebrate Jennifer’s life are her children, Amber Porter of Grinnell and Alyssa Bright of Newton; grandson, Cameron Thompson of Grinnell; her sister, Angee (Logan) VanKlootwyk of Knoxville; brother, Danny (Cinda) Porter of Oshkosh, Wis.; her grandson-nephew, Ryder VanKlootwyk; and two nephews, Keaton VanKlootwyk and Kyle (Jennifer) Porter. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lyle and Mildred Turner and Virgil and Leslie Porter; and her parents.