Josefa "Josie" Porras

Josefa “Josie” Porras passed away on June 19, 2026, in Bayard, Nebraska, where she resided at Chimney Rock Villa Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family.

Josie was born on February 15, 1931, in Stanton, Texas, to Norberto and Petrolina Ribera. She grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, and later made her home in Mitchell, Nebraska. Throughout her life, she built a legacy centered on faith, family, hard work, and service to others.

For more than 50 years, Josie worked as a hairdresser, a profession she truly loved and one of her greatest passions. Through her work, she formed countless friendships and touched many lives with her kindness, warmth, and gift for conversation.

Josie was known for her quick wit, strong opinions, deep love for her family, and passion for politics. She loved to dance and rarely passed up an opportunity to enjoy her favorite music, creating cherished memories with family and friends. Many evenings you could find her at a local bingo hall, working on a puzzle, or challenging loved ones to a spirited game of Scrabble. No matter how busy she was, she always found time to prepare delicious meals and bring her family together around the table.

Josie was one of fourteen children born to Norberto and Petrolina Ribera. She is survived by her sister, Lucy (Manuel) Gallardo; her five children, Elizabeth (Jeff) Reyes, Anna (Ricardo) Quevedo, Lawrence (Karen) Porras, Frank (Melissa) Porras, and Linda (Rick) Niezgodzki; her grandchildren, Stan (Claudia), Martin (Barry), Elise, Richard (Heather), Alex (Sydney), Rory (Hadley), Kourtney (Eddie), Marisa and Ryan; and her great grandchildren, Mia, Isaiah, Giovanni, Tiana, and Lacey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Norberto and Petrolina Ribera and twelve of her siblings.

A devout Catholic, Josie was a faithful member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Mitchell, Nebraska. Her strength, unwavering work ethic, kindness, humor, and devotion to her family will be remembered and cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 28, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at St Theresa’s Parish 1715 17th Street, Mitchell, NE 69357, followed by the Rosary from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

A Memorial Mass on Monday, June 29, at 10:30 am at St Theresa’s Parish, with a graveside following at Mitchell Cemetery, 130608 County Road D, Mitchell, Nebraska.

Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the Porras family.

Though she will be deeply missed, Josie’s love, laughter, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.