Obituary of Marie Magdeline (Rudel) Portner - 1897 - 1999

Las Vegas Review-Journal, September 14, 1999

She passed away September 10, 1999. Marie was born on April 23, 1897 in Fessenden, North Dakota. She was from a family of 12 children born to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon and Dorothea Rudel of Wells County. Her mother was Dorothea Weber. Her parents were born in Russia. Marie was born and raised on the Rudel family farm which still stands today. Marie attended school near Fessenden and Valley City Teachers College, where she became a school teacher and taught in the school she attended as a child. Then she met Mr. O. H. (Hal) Portner from Indiana, they married and moved to Alhambra, California where they purchased property. Portner Street was named in their honor. Marie was a life time member at the Order of Alhambra Eastern Star #269. After several visits to Las Vegas, NV they moved to Las Vegas and bought property near Fremont Street. Mr. Portner was an electrician for the City of Las Vegas.

The Portners were very close friends with Wilbur Clark, who owned the Las Vegas strip first Hotel/Casino which was located across from the now famous Sahara Hotel on Las Vegas Blvd. Mr. and Mrs. Portner had no children, but enjoyed life and traveled all over the world. Hal was an active member of the Shriners.

After his death in 1972, Marie now a widow at the age of 75 lived alone in a home they had purchased close to Fremont Street until the last few months. She was a resident of Willow Creek Memorial Care Center on North Buffalo. There she was loved by many and her special friend Mary Reisig from Aunt Mary Visits. She was the oldest living child of 12. Survived by her youngest sister Laura Doric from Spokane, Washington, many nephews and nieces, family and friends.

She was a member of The Germans from Russia Foundation at North Dakota State University Library, where she has been a generous donor and supporter, in honor of her parents Simon and Dorothea Rudel.

Mrs. Marie Portner celebrated her 102nd birthday in her home with family and friends and enjoyed talking about her home, family and life in North Dakota, also changes she had seen in Las Vegas.

Her interment will be at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3900 South Workman Hill Road in Whittier, California on Friday, September 17, at 1 pm. Memorial services will be held at the Palm Mortuary on West Cheyenne Ave. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1999; 10 am-11 am Viewing. Services following at 11 am with The Eastern Star, Group 193 officiating.

Honorary Pallbearers will be:
Nephews:

Mr. Weston Rudel of Fessenden, ND
Mr. Norman Rudel of Fessenden, ND
Mr. Dennis Rudel of Arvada, CO
Mr. Arlyn Rudel of Rapid City, SD
Mr. Wesley Buechler of Cathay, ND
Mr. Stanley Rudel of Okanogon, WA
Mr. Glen Rudel of Phoenix AZ

Mr. Roger Reisig of Las Vegas, NV
Mr. Douglas Reimer of Las Vegas, NV
Mr. Earl Burrell of Las Vegas, NV