Sheldon William Porthan, age 78 of Lake Eshquagama, died Thursday, August 20, 2009 in the Virginia Regional Medical Center. He was born February 11, 1931 in Ely, the son of Owney and Martha (Arvola) Porthan. He was a graduate of Ely Memorial High school, the Ely Junior College, and the University of Minnesota – Minneapolis with a degree in Mine Engineering. While in Ely, Sheldon played baseball in the City League, and played basketball in both high school and junior college. Sheldon married Mary Ann Starkman on April 17, 1951 in Ely; and lived in Hibbing from 1955 to 1958 and Aurora from 1958 until moving to Lake Eshquagama in the early 1970's. Sheldon was employed by Pickands-Mather Company as a mining engineer from 1955 until his retirement in 1992. He worked in the Main Office in Hibbing, the Canisteo Mine, and spent most of his tenure at Erie Mining Company. Sheldon was a member of the Engineers Club of Northern Minnesota, the Taconite Recreation Club, and a board member of Eshquagama Country Club. He was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Sun City, AZ; and a former member and treasurer of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Aurora and the Laurentian Lutheran Conference. Sheldon was an avid golfer and bowler who won numerous golf and bowling championships; and was a member of the Monday Traveling Golf Group.
Sheldon is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Ann (Starkman); children: Elizabeth (Larry) Carson of Raleigh, NC, Caron Porthan of Burnsville, and John Porthan of Aurora; grandchildren: Daniel Carson, Jeremy Carson, and Kaylin (Tom) Walters; many cousins including Betty Joan (Dean) Wayne; and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A gathering time for family and friends will be held Monday, August 24, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. until the 12 Noon Memorial Service in Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church in Virginia. Pastor Nathan Sager will officiate. A Graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2009 in the Ely Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Kidney Foundation, or the donor's choice.
Family services provided by Bauman-Cron a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share a personal remembrance of Sheldon online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Born: February 11, 1931 Place of Birth: Ely, Minnesota Death: August 20, 2009 Place of Death: Virginia Regional Medical Center Occupation: Mining Engineer Hobbies: Golf, Bowling Gathering Time for Family & Friends Monday August 24, 2009 , 11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church
Memorial Service Monday August 24, 2009 , 12 Noon at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church
Graveside Services Tuesday August 25, 2009 , 11:00 a.m at Ely Cemetery
Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.


Kidney Foundation or Donor's Choice -