Vanessa Porter, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend died on Sunday, May 7th, at 66 years of age.

Her Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Hitchcock Methodist Church in Hitchcock, South Dakota, with burial to follow at Altoona Cemetery in Hitchcock. Visitation, with her family present, will be from 4-6 p.m., on Friday, May 12, 2023 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron.

Vanessa Rae was born on September 15, 1956, to parents Larry and Beverly (DuBois) Gordon in Britton, South Dakota. She attended grade school in Bonilla and Hitchcock, graduating from Hitchcock High School in 1974. Vanessa attended Stewarts School of Cosmetology, earning her degree in 1975. She owned and operated her own beauty shop for 45 years.

She married the love of her life, Alvin Porter, on April 28, 1979 in Hitchcock. They were married for 44 wonderful years. Together, they raised four children, Tara (Jason Van Berkom), Lance, Tyler, and Lucas (Caroline Kincade). They are the proud grandparents of Nathan, Alex, Bridget, and Phoebe.

In the summertime, Vanessa could be found tending to her flower garden, cheering on the Minnesota Twins, and walking the lazy river at Splash Central. She was an active volunteer with her children's activities, being a girl scout leader and helping at church. Vanessa was an amazing cook, avid reader and enjoyed craft and do-it-yourself projects. She always had a listening ear and was eager to help in any way she could.

Vanessa is survived by her husband, Al of Huron; her children, Tara (Jason) Van Berkom of Woodbury, MN, Lance Porter of Sioux Falls, Tyler Porter of Sioux Falls, and Lucas (Caroline) Porter of Omaha, NE; her grandchildren, Nathan, Alex, and Bridget Van Berkom and Phoebe Porter; her parents, Larry and Bev Gordon of Hitchcock; her siblings, Julie (Rick) Miller of Hitchcock, Rhonda (Rod) Skaare of Hitchcock, Darcy (John) McGee of Harrisburg, and Ken (Jonnyk) Gordon of Hitchcock; sisters-in-law, Maxine (Buell) Maberry of Pierre, Shirley (Brad) Anderson of Jackson, MN, Gloria Porter of Miller; brother-in-law, Darrel (Jan) Porter of Watertown; several nieces and nephews, and many good friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Norval and Martha Porter; her brother-in-law, John Porter; and one nephew, Caden Miller.

Vanessa is a loving soul whose life and legacy will live on through all those lucky enough to have known her.