Betty Bernice Porter, 96, of Denver, Iowa, and formerly of Waverly, Iowa, died Sunday, May 24, 2020, at her home at Willow Winds in Denver. 

Betty was born on October 6, 1923, in Plainview, Nebraska, the daughter of Christy and Lessie (Phipps) Thomas. She graduated from Rock Rapids High School, then attended Iowa State Teachers College for 2 years. She then taught in country schools. She was united in marriage July 3, 1943 to Howard Thomas Porter in San Luis Obispo, California, prior to Howard being shipped to the South Pacific while serving in the Army during WWII.  She returned to Iowa when he was stationed in the South Pacific for 3 years.  They raised their family in Waverly, Shell Rock, Traer, then rural Waverly. She was widowed in 1965. She completed her BA in Education at Wartburg, graduating in 1969, and then taught at the W-SR Junior High. Her son, Tom, was KIA in Vietnam in 1970, and she moved to Waverly. 

Betty was active in the church and was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Waverly and the Trinity Quilters. She was a member of the Amvets Ladies Auxiliary.  

Betty is survived by three daughters, Nancy Edwards of Waverly; Patricia (Tony) Ogden of Waldport, Oregon; and Linda (Lyle) Judas of Denver; her grandchildren, Daniel (Lisa), Brian (MegAnn), Christopher, Jeffrey Edwards; Boone (Ellie), Briton, Max (Machiko) Ogden, Tom (Lisa) Diesburg, Kerri Hobson; sixteen great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and a sister, Connie (Marlyn) Dieken of Mason City. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, son Thomas; sister, Helen Winter, brothers, Chris Jr. and Richard Thomas. 

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