Due to current social constraints, a private family Mass will be held at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Lafayette. Father Gerald Meidl will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow in the St. Gregory Catholic Cemetery.

Livestreaming of the Mass will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2020 on Minnesota Valley Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

Richard is survived by his wife of over 58 years, JoAnn Portner; his children, Wayne & Sheri (Bohlmann) of Lafayette – children, Alyssa, Bradley, Katelyn; Craig & Terri (Beranek) Portner of Lafayette – children, Robyn, Ryan, Adam, Alex; Neil & Patti (Buechler) of Coal Valley, IL – children, Kyle, Jarod; Renae (James) Herget of Apple Valley – children, Andrew, John, Benjamin; sister, Barb Clyne, Karen (Jerry) Winters; sisters-in-law, Margaret “Gus” Portner, Phyllis Portner; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Willard, Gary, and Eugene Portner; brothers-in-law, Tom Morse, James Clyne, and Ronald Stueber.

Richard E. Portner was born May 26, 1936 in Sleepy Eye to Arthur and Clara (Seidl) Portner. The family moved to rural Lafayette, Richard attended country school, and graduated from New Ulm High School in 1954. He joined the National Guard and served from 1954 to 1962. Richard worked for ABS, Forstner Furniture in New Ulm, Lafayette Co-op & Elevator, Lloyd’s Feed Service of Lafayette, and Michael Foods in Gaylord before retirement.

Richard married JoAnn Stueber on July 10, 1962 at St. Mary’s in New Ulm. The couple lived in rural Lafayette for 39 years and moved into the town of Lafayette. Richard enjoyed old time music, coached baseball for many years for Lafayette, playing cards, and games with the grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Gregory the Great’s Cemetery Fund.

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