Tove Christiane Gee-Porter
Christiane Gee Porter passed away peacefully at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on October 14. 2025. Christiane, as she was affectionately known, was born in Bogense, Denmark to Mary (Momsie) Jacobsen and Lars Christensen on June 14, 1933. She grew up in Denmark. She rowed competitively in her high school years. Christiane's upbringing in Denmark was not always easy but through her intelligence, wit, persistence and strong will she managed to get educated and when the opportunity presented itself in her 20's, she emigrated to the U.S. under the sponsorship of an uncle and worked for Weyerhauser in Tacoma, WA. Her Viking heritage served her well! She met Tom Gee, who was a hotelier in Tacoma, married and moved to Worland, where Tom's family owned and operated the Hotel Washakie.
Christiane & Tom turned the Hotel into the "center of the county" and many great events occurred there. Later, she started her Real Estate Brokerage business and was Wyoming's Realtor of the Year in 1989. She also served with a number of professional organizations and was involved with PEO and St. Alban's Church. She and Tom sold the Hotel Washakie and built the Settlers Inn on the east end of Worland. It is the current site of the Washakie Museum and Cultural Center, where she served as president for years. They also had a couple of different places in the Jackson, WY area and were quite involved with community there.
Christiane and Tom never had children of their own so they became Godparents to the Woosley boys. They set the bar very high as Godparents, and they are all truly family.
Christiane was an animal lover, dog-mom, equestrienne, a race car driver (Ten Sleep Hill Climb), a phenomenal photographer, gardener, cook, painter, traveler, student, friend, etc. They hosted at least two young Danish family members for year-long private exchange student experiences in Worland. She travelled annually to Denmark to be with family, maintained different houses there and took her Godsons there numerous times.
Christiane had always wanted a degree from an American University so she enrolled in Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana in her 60's. She graduated with one degree in business and one in psychology. She was a life-long learner.
Her husband Tom passed away in 2007 and she married Jack Porter in 2010.
Some observations from some people close to Christiane:
Danish Second Cousin Jette Uglebjerg Hicks:
"Christiane has always been my inspiration. She was family, friend and role model and always welcoming, generous and a lot of fun.
"I first met Christiane (Tove) in Denmark when I was a young girl and I was immediately impressed and I wanted to be just like her. She was beautiful, elegant and yes, she had a handsome husband, Tom Gee.
"When I moved from Denmark to America myself Christiane was always there with love, advice and friendship. When I needed encouragement in my life, I always drew inspiration from knowing that it is possible to overcome adversity by thinking that Christiane did just that.
"Christiane has given me so many wonderful memories of trips to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Christmases and summer vacations in Worland and Jackson Hole, storytelling and sing-alongs, parties and get-togethers in Denmark with our Danish families."
Godson David Woosley: "Christiane was a woman of deep character, unwavering work ethic, and boundless generosity. Her life touched many, especially those lucky enough to grow up under her care and guidance. As a godmother, Christiane brought love, structure, and adventure into the lives of those around her. She had a sense of humor too, with an appreciation for a good joke or a bit of mischief. Her wit was dry, and her spirit was generous.
"Christiane's love was expressed through action—her willingness to step up when needed, her desire to make things better, her incredible hospitality, and her unwavering dedication to those she cared about. Whether it was through work, travel, meals, or memories, she gave us the gift of her presence, her passion, and her principles.
"She will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever cherished."
Christiane is survived by her husband, Dr. Jack Porter of Worland; her Godsons, T.J. Woosley (Carole), Todd Woosley (Julie), both of Bellevue, WA, David Woosley (Michael Grochau) of Orcas Island, WA; second cousin, Jette Hicks of Austin, Texas; sister, Bodil and numerous extended family members, all in Denmark.
A Funeral service will be held 1PM, Thursday October 30, 2025 at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Worland. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to St. Albans Episcopal Church or the Washakie Museum & Cultural Center. Please send checks to PO Box 524 Worland, Wyoming 82401. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.