Kari Porter

Kari Jo Porter, 65, of Thompson, passed away from complications of heart failure on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at the MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. A celebration of life visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson.

Kari Jo (Larson) was born on April 5, 1960 in Forest City, to parents James M. and Barbara M. (Frazier) Larson. She grew up in Thompon and graduated from Thompson High School in 1978. She furthered her education in Horticulture, which blossomed her love for flowers.

Kari was united in marriage to Shane Porter, and to this union, three sons were born: Travis, Andrew, and

Jason. Kari and Shane moved to Colorado, where Travis and Andrew were born. Later, they moved back to Thompson, a place where she always called home and where they welcomed their last child, Jason, into the world.

Kari enjoyed working at the North Iowa Community School in Thompson as a cook and in the library. She

also worked at Diamond Jo Casino (if you heard “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” that was probably announced by Kari), the Branding Iron, and Winnebago Industries until her health forced her to retire. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed flower gardening, puzzles, reading, and anything pink flamingos!

Kari also enjoyed baking – kringla being a favorite. Moments spent with her grandchildren, Norah and

Rhett are moments she will cherish forever. Kari also had a great love for her dog, Frazier and grand dogs, Archie and Bjorn.

Surviving members of her family include her three children, Travis Porter of Minneapolis, MN, Andrew

(Alicea) Porter of Buffalo Center, and Jason Porter of Thompson; grandchildren, Norah and Rhett Porter; siblings, Mark (Diane) Larson of Forest City, Gary (Laurie) Larson of Thompson, Kristi Farland of West Des Moines, and Tom Larson of Baxter; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, James Larson; as well as a brother in infancy, Leo.