Mrs. Max (Esther E.) Ortman

Esther Elaine Ortman, 81, of Mankato, Kansas, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2014, at the Jewell County Hospital Long-Term Care facility. She was born on January 18, 1933, on the Ahrens family farm north of Mankato, Kansas, to Florence (Ahrens) and Arthur Thompson.

Esther attended school in Hardy, Nebraska, graduating from Hardy High School in 1950. After high school she worked as a waitress in Superior, Nebraska. While waitressing she met her future husband, Max Eugene Ortman. They were united in marriage on January 20, 1952, in Hardy, Nebraska. To this union three children were born – Diana, Terry, and David.

During her early years of marriage, Esther moved with Max to several military bases when Max was called into active duty with the National Guard. They lived at Fort Carson, Colorado, for a time period and then returned home to Mankato living on the Ortman family farm. Max was called back into active duty and they along with their three children moved to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. The family returned back to Mankato where Esther spent the remainder of her life.

Esther began working as a waitress after her children started school. In 1968, the Jewell County Hospital opened and Esther began her final career working as an aid. After several years as an aid, she took her training to become a CNA. Later she continued her training to become a CMA. She began working the graveyard shift so she could attend her children’s activities. While working at this facility, Esther also worked second shift for a number of years at Hilltop Lodge, Beloit, Kansas. Esther was a hard and dedicated worker. She was very caring to her patients having a friendly smile and cheerful attitude toward them and her fellow workers. She made many lasting friendships with her fellow workers. In 2006, Esther retired being one of the last original staff from Jewell County Hospital, with 38 years of service.

Esther loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She attended as many of their activities as time would allow and enjoyed every moment being with them. She looked forward to traveling with family members and visiting her grand and great-grandchildren.

One of her favorite pastimes was bingo. She would take other family members or friends with her and enjoy a night out playing bingo. A person could never sit next to her because she needed extra room for all of her bingo cards. Another enjoyment Esther had was having afternoon coffee with her friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Max; her daughter, Diana and husband, Harley Sorge, and five siblings.

Survivors include her son, Terry and wife, Irene Ortman, son, David and wife, Cynthia Ortman, both of Mankato, Kansas; brother Charles and wife, Pat Thompson of Grand Island, Nebraska; sister, Carla and husband, John Hartman of Beloit, Kansas; sister-in-law, Alma Zadina of Mankato, Kansas; brother-in-law, Forrest and wife, Janet Ortman of Hendersonville, Tennessee. Other survivors include her grandchildren – Jason Ortman and fiancée Jera Huehl, Scott Sorge, Sarah Ortman, Gretchen Huff, Brooke and husband Darrel Martin, Jaralee Hughes and fiancé Richard Peterson, and Chelsey and husband, Travis Oltman. Great-grandchildren are- Jalee, Kain, Noah, Jace, Austin, Haley, Jaden, Austen, Adysen, Talon, Malakhi, and Isaias, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Max (Esther E.) Ortman were held on Wednesday, March 12, 2014,at 10:30 a.m., at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating the ceremony with Mrs. Pat Grout as organist. Soloist was Kenny Rhea who sang “The Long Black Train” and the congregation sang “In the Garden.” Casket bearers were: Jason Ortman, Scott Sorge, Jim Weir, Jim Zadina, Marty Zadina, and Bobb Collie. Honorary casket bearers were: Gerry Collie, Mike Zadina, RJ Collie, Chuck Zadina, Roger Rightmeier, and DeWayne Ortman. Interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas, next to Max Ortman. The family suggests memorials to Jewell County Hospital, Mankato, Mankato, Kansas. Online condolences can be left at www.melbymortuary.com. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.