Echoes of Home, By FAYE WHITBECK, Staff Writer

Sister of local brothers Pat and Tom Porter, Evelyn Porter Torblaa writes about their childhood

It took some courage for Evelyn Porter Torblaa to write this account of her Borderland childhood entitled “Echoes of Home.”
In the book’s introduction, she writes: You will laugh, weep, feel sorry and even pity a character. You may also experience rage or compassion. As you relate to my stories, your memories will surface, the good and the bad...”
Although Torblaa’s tale of growing up between the Falls and Ranier was written in 1993, the book notably compliments the centennial birthday of Ranier because of its vivid and detailed nostalgia of the city’s church and school.
Torblaa’s small book is divided into three sections — school, church and home.
Torblaa was the third child of the late Jess and Minnie Porter, and is one of seven siblings including two who still live in the area. They are Pat Porter, third from the youngest; and Tom Porter, baby of the family. Others are Norma, Lorraine, Jim and Dan.
The scenes in her book are familiar local settings, and the experiences relevant to the memories of many.
Anyone raised locally from the era of The Depression through the 1940s and 50s may relate to her bittersweet renderings. Chapters colorfully depict the smells and sights of a humble childhood — paralyzing winters, glorious holidays, sibling idiosyncrasies, decrepit automobiles, yearnings, punishments, triumphs and — tragedy.
Tragedy is a word that can’t be dismissed in Torblaa’s recounting. Although the Porter children knew what it was to be poor, their home had been filled with riches of the heart and the warmth of a devoted mother.
But that all came to an end in 1942.
Minnie (Hansen) Porter would die at the age of 39, 10 days after the delivery of her seventh child, Tom. The writing of that chapter was like reliving one of the most difficult periods of her life, according to Torblaa. She recalls how she was secretly ushered into the Littlefork hospital where her critical mother was a patient of Dr. Craig, totally unaware that “these would be the final words I would hear from the one that always stood by me.”
The children were marched up to their mother’s casket for one last glimpse of their mother, and then quickly hustled away.
They stumbled through the following days in disbelief.
Torblaa would become the main care giver for the children. She writes that her faithful brothers helped with endless chores and they became a team. “We were never a burden to anyone, we never took charity and we were not split up to be sent to different homes.”
Evelyn found strength in the foundation her mother laid by bringing her children to the Ranier Mission Church. “Personally, I owe a debt of gratitude to these courageous workers for braving the elements and presenting the gospel to the Porter family. What a heritage!” Eventually, father Jess would also “turn his life over to God.”
Torblaa also has fond memories of the Ranier school and her teacher, Miss Ronnigan who “rated right up there with God and my mother.” Torblaa boasts of never missing a day, nor being tardy all through the fourth grade, along with nine other students pictured in the book.
Torblaa’s book is a reminder of just how difficult life was for many Borderland families in those days. And how strengthened some of them such as the Porters, became, in spite of childhood tribulation.
Torblaa, whose poetry and articles have been published, is also an oil artist. She resides in Grafton, N.D. She married late husband Orlando in 1949. For 25 years, they logged for the local paper mill. Three of her four children have passed away. Torblaa can be reached at 701-352-0858.