ALLENE JOYCE PORTER ( 1938- 2023)

Allene Joyce Dietert was born June 25, 1938 in Comfort, the daughter of Eddie and Helen (Ohlendorf) Dietert. She graduated from Comfort High School in 1956 and Southwest Texas State College in 1959. On Dec. 27, 1959, she married Glen Dale Porter in Comfort, and together they had three children: Glenda, Donna, and Brian. The family lived in Comfort, San Marcos, and Houston before settling in Bellville in 1969.

Allene loved being a homemaker. She was a great cook, talented seamstress, and kept her home running smoothly. She happily took on the job of helping to renovate the family’s first house in Bellville, refinishing woodwork and scraping and painting the exterior. When faced with the prospect of paying college tuition for three children, she took a teaching job, beginning a long career as an educator in Bellville schools.

Allene taught for 32 years, first at Bellville Junior High and later at Spicer Kindergarten. When the new O’Bryant Primary School campus opened, she worked as an interventionist, helping students of all grades who needed extra assistance. Her teacher friends were a great source of enjoyment throughout her career, and they fondly remember her as a special person with an exceptional rapport with children.

After retirement, Allene stayed busy with gardening, traveling, hosting family get-togethers, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved to attend her grandchildren’s many activities. Allene volunteered at the Hospital Auxiliary Resale Shop, sang in the Concordia Gesang-Verein German singing group, and was involved with the Altar Guild and Martha Circle at St. John’s Lutheran Church. She was a member of Austin County Retired Teachers and Delta Kappa Gamma. Allene had an amazing green thumb and was a certified Master Gardener. Her many flowerbeds were a joy to behold, and her tomatoes won awards at local competitions.

Allene passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023, at the age of 84 years and 11 months. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Milton Dietert and wife Diane, and her son-in-law Kenny Richardson. She is survived by her daughter Glenda and husband Mark Switzer, daughter Donna and husband Randall Huffman, and son Brian and wife Karen Porter; grandchildren: Mason Switzer, Claire McKnight and husband Clayton, Leah Richardson, Reid Richardson and wife Sarah, Laura Richardson, and Benjamin Porter; great-grandchildren: Hayes Switzer, Cutter McKnight, Cross McKnight, and Crockett McKnight; brother Lloyd Dietert and wife Sandi; sister Ann Dietert; special friend Tom Petronella; and numerous other relatives and many friends.

Allene will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted teacher, and a kind and compassionate friend to many. She cared greatly about her family and community and will be dearly missed.

The family is deeply appreciative of the caregiving staff and nurses of Life Changes and Acara Hospice for the love and support shown to Allene during her illness.

A funeral service was held at Knesek Family Funeral Chapel in Bellville June 7, 2023, with Pastor Jay Grave officiating. Internment was at Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery, followed by a reception at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Pallbearers were Eric Dietert, Paul Dietert, Mason Switzer, Reid Richardson, Clayton McKnight, and Benjamin Porter.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, the Bellville Hospital Foundation, or the Bellville Public Library.