Mary Lou Porter, age 96, of Amery, WI passed away at the Amery Hospital on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 due to complications from pneumonia after a fall.

Mary Lou was born on March 26, 1929 to Merle and Sadie (Forbes) Cowley in Eureka, WI. She was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota by her Aunt and Uncle, Alice and Oscar Johnson. After graduation, Mary Lou spent some time doing volunteer work in Japan. Mary Lou’s time in Japan meant a lot to her, and those memories still remained dear to her throughout her life. On April 7, 1962, Mary Lou was united in marriage to Harold “Bud” Porter, and together they raised two children.

Mary Lou was a homemaker and helped out on the family farm that Bud had taken over from his father, and both Mary Lou and Bud were involved in the Farm Bureau. She also nannied and helped raise two children who were very special to her, Ben and Erica Leadholm. In 2005, Mary Lou and Bud moved to Clear Lake. After Bud passed away in 2013, Mary Lou remained in Clear Lake another year before moving to Water’s Edge in Amery, where she lived independently until her passing.

In her retirement years, Mary Lou spent her time socializing at the Family Restaurant with her friends and family. She also enjoyed playing cards—especially 13, reading about the Amish, baking, and spending time with her grandchildren. Mary Lou was a long-time member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and put her talents to use as part of the quilting group, making banners for the altar, and creating baptismal garments with Hardanger embroidery. She also had a wonderful voice and sang in the church choir. At the age of 96, Mary Lou attended her first major league baseball game and even received a game ball. 

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Keith (Mary Ann), Edmund (Alice), Florence (Thesenvitz) Brebis, Marion (Butkiewicz) Brebis, Maxine (Stone) Brebis, Sylvia (Hayman) Brebis, and Norman (Dorothy) Brebis; son-in-law, Ralph Petty; and cousins, Ed Jr. (Else), Doreen and Douglas Cowley. She is survived by her children, Sarah Petty and David (Jackie) Porter; 9 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren (with one on the way); cousins, Thom (Diane), Kathy (Tom Pendroy), Kymm (Jeff), and Mary Alice; and many other loving friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arnell Memorial Humane Society.

Funeral Services will take place at 11:00am on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Amery, WI with a visitation one hour prior. Luncheon to follow. Interment will be at the Amery Cemetery.

Last Update: Nov 18, 2025 9:04 am CST