She was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Filadelfo and Rosa DiMauro. She was born in her
grandmother's house on 9th street and her first crib was a dresser drawer. She married Tony Portera, the love of her life, on March 3, 1952. They were pen pals (at the urging of Tony's sister Annie) while he was in the war.
Louise had a couple of factory jobs, CA Swanson and Eggars O'Flynn, but then after a speed
writing class she started a job as a sales secretary at Muzak. She enjoyed her job there very much but after 10 years of trying to conceive, she was finally pregnant and left her job to become a full time housewife and mother. Roseanne was her miracle baby, her pride and joy and could not be more loved or spoiled!
Louise was fortunate that Tony had a good job with the Union Pacific and it allowed her to stay home. She enjoyed her Tuesday afternoon bowling league at Chops for many years and Wednesdays were spent with her two best friends Ellen and Angie "bumming", shopping and lunch.
Sadly in 1973 Louise was left a widow at the young age of 50. Keeping busy was her way to cope with the emptiness left by Tony's passing. Not a day went by that she didn't think of him.
She was heavily involved with St. Frances Cabrini school,
transporting student teacher nuns from College of St. Mary's to selling stamps as part of the stamp program. She worked the spaghetti dinners and often donated beautifully decorated cakes and knit items that were raffled off. Every late August when the bell peppers were ready to pick, she, Ellen and Angie would spend days roasting and peeling and laughing til they cried.
Louise eventually went back to work, first at Angie's restaurant in the office and then for Hospe Mr. Music, but her heart was in her job with Weight Watchers. She worked for Weight Watchers for over 30 years, finally retiring at the age of 86.
Louise was made a grandmother in 1987 and then again in 1990. Katelyn Louise and Morgan Richelle were now the focus of her attention and recipients of her never ending love. She was now "Nana" and don't you ever mistakenly call her Grandma because she would not hear of it! She was the "halfsie" Nana because whenever the girls wanted or needed anything, she'd offer to pay for half so their parents could afford it. It's because of Nana that Katie toured Europe, went to DC, California, got a professional oboe just to name a few. Morgan also got to DC, California and because Nana was unsure of the hand me down car Morgan was driving, she got Morgan a brand new one. Nana was there for their major events which included Katie's surprise engagement party in Michigan, her Omaha wedding reception, and her gender reveal where she found out she'd have a great granddaughter (even though we discovered as we cleaned out her room that she was actually team boy!)
Nana prided herself that she was the one that encouraged Morgan to pursue a career in law enforcement because they watched CSI while the parents bowled. She was also there at Morgan's wedding reception to see the beautiful bride and groom.
After 92 years of living in Omaha, NE, Louise made the move to "the Mitten": Howell, Michigan. No way was she going to miss out. She moved into an assisted living facility but shortly after, was able to move into the Willows at Howell where Roseanne works and she spent her last years there. Louise was dearly loved by the staff there. They took very good care of her and she knew and appreciated it.
She packed a lot of life into her 96 years and loved her family fiercely. Her last time with the family, she was so weak but she was still able to do their traditional fist bump with her son in law Richard and with her eyes and hand movements told Greg and Morgan -baby- don't wait too long like I did. She enjoyed Addison covering her with her solar toys. She told Joe to "take care of my girls" and as she held Roseanne, she looked around the room and repeatedly whispered you'll always be my babies, always be my babies, always be my babies.
Louise is survived by her daughter Roseanne (Rich) Gyhra, her granddaughters Katie (Joe) Fauls and Morgan (Greg) Ford and great granddaughter Addison.
She joins in heaven her beloved husband Tony. Her parents Filadelfo and Rosa DiMauro and her baby sister Louise.
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