Ethel Mae Porter

 Ethel Mae Porter, 90, of Outlook WA, traded her farm clothes for her wings and journeyed home to be with the Lord on December 3, 2025. Ethel was born May 15, 1935 in Columbus, Montana. She passed away peacefully in her beloved farmhouse of over 70 years—the place she always cherished and was proud to call home. It was there that she built a lifetime of memories with the love of her life Dale Porter, their four boys, and the generations to follow.

Ethel was the daughter of Frank and Ruby Kearney. She held many fond childhood memories of growing up in Montana—attending Lonetree, a one-room schoolhouse, walking to school with her siblings, and all the girls riding together on the back of their horse, Nelly. The Kearney family later moved to Washington State with hopes of eventually reaching Alaska, but due to the war, children were not permitted to go. Instead, they traveled through the Yakima Valley, working on numerous farms to make a living.

In 1944, her parents purchased a farm in the Green Valley area of Sunnyside. It was there that Ethel met and fell in love with the love of her life, Dale Porter. While Dale left to serve in Korea, Ethel completed her education and proudly graduated from Sunnyside High School—something that was always very important to her mother.

Following her graduation, Ethel married Dale on June 20, 1953. The couple began building their lifelong home in 1954. She spent her early years at home raising her four boys and tying flies for Yakima Bait. As she raised their four boys, Ethel made sure to involve them while working in the fields, teaching them the value of hard work. Together, they picked cherries and apples, cut asparagus, and worked in the grapefields.

Together Ethel and Dale raised four boys: Mark (Rachel) of Grandview WA, Dirk (Jeanette) of Outlook WA, David (Judy) of Anaconda MT, and Darren (Dianne) of Bonney Lake WA. She was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom she prayed for daily, along with her many nieces and nephews.

 After her sons had grown, she began driving People for People bus—a job she enjoyed for more than 20 years and one that brought her great happiness.

Ethel found great joy in teaching Sunday school and was deeply devoted to her church community. She spent countless hours attending church events, singing to the Lord, and sharing her faith with others. At home, her love for Scripture was always evident—there was always a well-used Bible resting beside her chair in the living room, a quiet testament to her lifelong devotion.

Ethel is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Porter, her father and mother Frank and Ruby Kearney, her brothers Duane and Ken Kearney, her sisters Bonnie Taylor, Virginia (Ginny) Pease, and Geraldine (Gerry) Klippert. Ethel is survived by a sister Mary Lou Schut Ribail.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 from 4:00 p.m.to 6:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.  Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.  Burial will follow at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, WA.   Those wishing to sign Ethel's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com     Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. 

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