Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 1, 2022, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, with Father Gerald Meidl celebrating the Mass. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday and 9-10:30 a.m. Friday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-NORTH chapel in New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for his family or to sign the guest book go to www.mvfh.org.

Greg is survived by his wife Cindy Portner of rural New Ulm; daughter, Ashley Johnson of New Ulm; grandchildren, Hudson, Paxton and Harlow, all of New Ulm; sisters, Yvonne Griebel of New Ulm, Kay Ann (Ron) Schugel of Courtland; and brothers, Steve (Mary Jane) Portner and Bryan (Marlene) Portner, all of New Ulm.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Ray Portner; and brother-in-law Mike Griebel.

Gregory Allan Portner was born April 22, 1954, in New Ulm to Alexander and Alice (Zupfer) Portner. He was a 1972 graduate of Cathedral High School. Greg was united in marriage to Cindy Helget on August 6, 1977, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. They farmed in Nicollet Township, Nicollet County, where they raised their daughter, Ashley. Greg was employed by D&A Trucklines from 1985-2019. He was in a semi accident in 2019 and could no longer continue. Greg loved trucking and took pride in his Kenworth. When not driving semi, Greg was in the fields of his farm and custom combining for farmers in the area.

Farming was Greg’s pride and joy. Driving a combine or tractor in the field was his favorite place to be. He was so proud to have grandsons to pass on his knowledge, and it was a lot of knowledge. He taught them farm work, field work and fixing. He spent hours on end in his “shop.” From his granddaughter, Harlow, he loved the back scratches and rubs she was always willing to give. Greg was always there when his daughter called with something she needed fixed or advice on how to do something. He never left her without a kiss goodbye and an “I love you.” His grandsons fondly remember him telling them “Bye now” after every phone call. His family knows he would have stayed if he could, and he will be missed beyond measure.

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