Carmelita C. Portz

Carmelita "Carm" Portz (nee Kirk) died peacefully Monday morning, August 27, 2018 at the Maquoketa Care Center in Maquoketa at the age of 100.

She is survived by her eight Children; Eugene(Leanne Spacek) Portz, Judy Portz, Susan Stamats, Victoria Wallace, Dianne Brandt, Jeffery(Julie) Portz, Randy Portz, Daniel Portz, 13 grandchildren; Tami(Jeff) Skinner, Gina(David) Phenix, Gail Brice, Peter(Karen Allen) Stamats, Bill(Anne) Stamats, Rob Wallace, Arik Wallace, Zachary Brandt, Elaine Brandt, Heather(Melissa) Deppe, Jason Deppe, Laura Portz, Kristi (Brannan) Stoner, 23 great grandchildren; Hannah (Chris) Fiore, Graham Skinner, Evan Skinner, Ian (Ashley), Alex Brice, Blayke (Nate) Livingston, Camryn Brice, Spencer Stamats, Veronica Stamats, Abby Stamats, Ben Stamats, Haley Stamats, Kirsten (Andrew) Eusini, Ashley Deppe, Kaitlynn Bugge, Hillary Deppe, Madyson Bugge, Taitumn Deppe, Anakin Deppe, Ireland Deppe, Trieghton Deppe, Brogan Stoner, Kalani Stoner and two great greatgrandchildren:  Harrison Phenix and Anthony Eusini as well as a brother and sisters:  Rita Struble, Ann phillips,  Mary Wathier, Charles Kirk and Pat Even.  She is preceded in death by her husband Edward Portz, parents John and Edna Kirk and brothers and sisters:  Delbert Kirk, Dorothy Tralau, Margaret Portz, Francis Kirk, Johnny Kirk, Bertram Kirk, James Kirk, and Loren Kirk.

Carm was born on a farm near Otter Creek, Iowa, on May 19, 1918, the third of fourteen children and attended school at St. Lawrence Catholic School in Otter Creek.  She married Edward Portz on January 14, 1941 and after living in several different places moved to Andrew, Iowa in 1943 where they made their long-term home and where she resided for almost 75 years until she moved to the Maquoketa Care Center during the later stages of her life.

In addition to being a homemaker Carm worked at the Fishing Tackle in Maquoketa, Iowa, was a playground supervisor at the Andrew Community school, cleaned the Rectory at St. John's Catholic Church and the Andrew Savings Bank in Andrew, Iowa.

Carm was a self-taught seamstress, making clothing for her growing family as well as garments for St. John's Catholic Church. She made Many Barbie and American Girl doll clothes, crocheted afghans, hats, gloves, scarves and baby blankets for family, friends and the less advantaged.

Throughout the years she was a gardener and canner, helping to feed her large family.

She was an avid baseball fan and often attended baseball games when her sons played and enjoyed the reputation of ringing a cow bell at their games. In her later years she enjoyed watching golf.

She was supportive of her family and encouraged them to pursue their life's ambitions. Her greatest joys in life were her children and she had a special spot in her heart for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Carm was a life-long Catholic and her faith was a very important part of her life and a great comfort to her.

Her family recently held a 100 year birthday party for her at the Andrew Café that was well attended by family and local residents.

A wake will be held on Sunday, September 2, 2018 from 3 – 5 00 p.m. at the Lahey-Dawson Funeral home in Maquoketa, Iowa. A funeral mass is schedule for Monday, September 3, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa, Iowa with internment in the Andrew Cemetery in Andrew, Iowa to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to her family in her honor.
Condolences can be sent to www.laheys.com

The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Maquoketa Care Center for their efforts to care for Carm during the final years of her life.

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