Ortman, Christian K. (1870-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Aug 14 p. 3

Birth date: 1870 Dec 22

text of obituary:

CHRISTIAN K. ORTMAN

Christian K. Ortman was born in Poland on December 22, 1870. He passed away the morning of July 29, 1947, having reached the age of 76 years seven months and seven days.

He enjoyed good health until the time when he was injured in a car accident the first of September, 1945. Due to a badly injured leg gangerene {sic] set in, which caused the amputation of his left leg. He rallied after that serious operation but last year other complications set in and the last six weeks he was very ill in the home of his daughter, Ida, where he was cared for. He was very patient and uncomplaining in his last illness.

In 1874, he, with his parents, emigrated to America and established their home near Yankton, S. Dak. A few years later he and his parents moved on a farm near Dolton, S. Dak., where he spent his boyhood years. Due to hard pioneer years which he with his parents experienced, he received only a limited school education.

On July 15, 1888,he was baptized by Rev. Christian Kaufman and was received as a member into the Mennonite church.

He was united in holy matrimony with Julianna Ortman on April 27, 1894, and was privileged to share joys and sorrows with her for 50 years, seven moths and 2 days. His wife preceded him in death the 22nd of Dec., 1944. Seven children were born to this union of whom two preceded him in death; one daughter in infancy and a son, Emil, through an accident at the age of 29 years.

He leaves to mourn his departure two sons and three daughters, nine grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Zacharias Ewert, one brother, August, and a large circle of relative sand friends.

Upon his bed of illness he mentioned again and again that his only hope was in the Lord Jesus Christ who bore our sins upon Calvary's Cross.

We have lost our dear father
Home is dark and empty now;
And our hearts are filled with sorrow

But to Jesus we will bow.
Father dear has gone to heaven,
To that home where angels dwell;
May we meet him in that city
Never more to say farewell.