Dana Lynn Porrazzo

In Loving Memory of Dana Lynn Porrazzo 1946 - 2025 With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life so beautifully lived, we announce the passing of Dana Lynn Porrazzo, who left this world peacefully at the age of 79 on July 26, 2025. Dana was born on June 23, 1946, at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis to Winifred and Vance Benjamin. She spent her childhood in NE Minneapolis with her six siblings (Joyce, Darlene, Vance, Bonnie, Lois, and Doug). She attended Clay and Pillsbury elementary schools and Northeast Junior High. Although her attendance at Edison High School was interrupted by the birth of her first child (Kelly), Dana ultimately received her GED in 1976. Dana's second child (Patti) was born during her first marriage to Neil Palmquist. Since 1977 Dana has been the beautiful and cherished wife to Jim Porrazzo. During their 48 years together, they built a life rooted in unwavering love, laughter, and resilience - a partnership that stands as a shining example to all who know them. They have supported each other through many joys and heartache, the ups and downs of life. Dana and Jim enjoyed golfing together in the earlier years, enjoyed their travels to San Francisco, Boston, and many other destinations. They especially loved spending time with and attending their grandchildren's events together. As the last remaining "original" couple in their North Minneapolis neighborhood, Dana and Jim have become pseudo grandparents to some of the neighborhood kids. It goes without saying that Jim will miss the love of his life deeply. Dana's proudest role was that of a mother to Kelly and Patti; a grandmother to Kyle and Kassie, Bailey and Jack; and a great grandmother to Tanner. Nothing brought Dana greater joy than spending time surrounded by her family. Dana loved entertaining and took great pride in preparing wonderful meals for family gatherings and holidays. She remembered every birthday and always made a point of selecting the most thoughtful gifts and cards, oftentimes going overboard as mothers/grandmothers do. She gave endlessly of herself and was a constant source of love, strength, and quiet grace. There is no doubt in our hearts about how much she loved us. She had a gift for making us all feel safe, seen, and loved. Dana held many different jobs during her lifetime. She was a banquet hostess at the Calhoun Beach Club. She worked at the Totino pizza factory briefly. She worked various positions during her 10 years at Cream of Wheat, where she was also a member of the Grain Millers Union. In 1978 she joined Teamsters Local 1145 when she became a factory clerk at Honeywell. She enjoyed her job at Honeywell for 30+ years before retiring. Those who knew Dana will remember her not just for her devotion to her family, but for her kindness, her generosity, her humility, and the grace with which she moved through life. Her legacy lives on in the love she poured into her family, in the values she passed down, and in the countless moments that will now live as cherished memories. Dana also loved the finer things in life: having a nice home, dining out, going to performances, traveling, having stylish jewelry, and dressing nicely. (Many will smile at the thought of all the Berkenstock shoes she owned.) We will miss her dearly, but we take comfort in knowing that her love will remain with us always - woven into the fabric of who we are, and who we will continue to become because of her. Dana is survived by her loving husband Jim of 48 years, children Kelly (Roger) Pike and Patti (Rob) Loso; grandchildren Kyle (Katie) Schafer, Kassie (Matt) Larson, Bailey (Billy) Casserly and great grandson Tanner Larson; siblings Darlene Coons, Bonnie (Jim) Price, Lois Herwig and Doug Benjamin; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and Lily the cat. Proceeded in death by grandson Jack Loso; mother & stepfather Winifred and Richard Graczyk; father Vance Benjamin; siblings Vance Benjamin Jr. and Joyce Benjamin; dear friends and deceased pets. The family wishes to thank Kim (Allina Palliative Nurse) and all the staff at Our Lady of Peace Hospice who provided such loving and dignified care to Dana in her final days with us. A small service will be held to honor Dana's life on August 15th, Glen Haven Chapel, 5125 West Broadway, Crystal, MN. Visitation 1:30-2:30; Service 2:30; light refreshments to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dana's name to Our Lady of Peace Hospice oonline donation form: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E360729&id=2