NEW ULM–Douglas Portner, age 64, of New Ulm passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Sunday, May 18, 2025 in New Ulm.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – North Chapel in New Ulm. To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

Doug is survived by his wife, Rebecca Portner; son, Nick Portner (Bridget Whitney); sister, Kathy (Randy) Hasse; brother, Kevin (Linda) Portner; and many extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and godson, Scott Hasse.

Douglas Allan Portner was born July 8, 1960 to Donald and Gladys (Eckstein) Portner in New Ulm. He graduated from Cathedral High School and went on to Mankato Votech. Doug’s career started at Randall’s Grocery Store in New Ulm until it closed. He then worked as a manager at Cash Wise and later at Holiday Gas Station. On April 29, 1990, Doug was united in marriage to Rebecca “Becky” Ruehling at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Their union was blessed with one son, Nick.

In addition to being a husband, father, and manager, Doug stayed active in his personal life. He coached his son’s youth hockey team in New Ulm, getting the team to multiple district championships. Doug also loved getting the family up to their cabin on Maple Lake in Alexandria as often as possible, going golfing, water skiing, fishing with his dad, brother, and nephew, Scott, and his 4:30 a.m. coffees at McDonald’s and Kwik Trip. When Doug eventually retired, he soon got a part-time job working at LiquorMart in New Ulm where he continued to work at to this day. Many fond memories were made chatting with customers and his work friends over the many years.

Doug will be dearly missed by those that knew him. Blessed be his memory.

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