Laura Ortner 1923-2005

ORTNER, UHL, HAMMAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/29/2008 at 00:28:04

Mapleton Press
Mapleton, Monona County, Iowa

Laura Ortner
5 February 1923-22 December 2005

Laura L. Ortner, age 82 of Mapleton, Iowa and formerly of Danbury died Thursday, December 22, 2005 in Sioux City, Iowa.

Services were held 10;30 a.m. Tuesday, December 27 at St. Mary/s Catholic Church in Danbury with Rev. Terry Roder officiating. Burial was in the Danbury Catholic Cemetery. Music was provided by Sandy Ortner, vocalist, Julie Hamann, organist and St. Mary’s Choir. Music included, “How Great Thou Art”, “I Am The Bread of Life”, “Hosea”, “Ave Maria” and “Let There Be Peace On Earth”.

A Rosary by St Mary’s Rosary Society was held at 3:00 p.m. Monday and a Vigil Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton.

Laura Louise Ortner was born February 5, 1923 in Mapleton, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Ida (Uhl) Hamman. She graduated from Mapleton High School with the class of 1941. She received her Teaching Certificate from Le Mar’s Teaching College, and taught country school grades 1-8 near her family’s farm in the early 1940’s. She was a life-long advocate for education and commitment to one’s chosen profession.

In 1944 she met Wayne “Red” Ortner and they were married July 17, 1944. They began their married life on the family farm of the Ortners near Danbury. While farming from 1945 through 1953 their family grew to include children, Donna, Karen, John, Jim, and Sally. In 1953 they bought the International Harvester Dealership in Mapleton. While in Mapleton, Gary, Ed, and Mary Jo were born. Red died April 28, 1996.

Laura was an extraordinary Mom. She ran her household precisely and raised her children with unwavering love and security. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.

In her retirement, she and her husband enjoyed their winter home in Texas and playing golf. She was a past ladies club champion at Willow Vale Golf Course in Mapleton.

Laura was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Danbury and a member of St. Mary’s Rosary Society.

In her last years she resided at Maple Heights Nursing Home where the wonderfully caring staff became an extended family for her. She enjoyed participating in daily life at the home and relished any opportunity to laugh.

Survivors include her children, daughter, Donna Brandvold and her husband, Ken, of Sioux City, Iowa, daughter, Karen Badten and her husband, Ron, of San Antonio, Texas, son, John and his wife, Jane, of Des Moines, Iowa, son Jim and his wife, Sandy, of Hurst, Texas, daughter, Sally Ortner and husband, John Williamson of Denver, Colorado, son, Gary and his wife, Leah, of Charter Oak, Iowa, son, Ed and his wife, Jane, of Danbury, Iowa, and daughter, Mary Jo Yantis and her husband, Mark, of Denver, Colorado: one sister and her husband, Mary Ann and Arnold Ortner of Danbury, Iowa: nine grandchildren, Amy Petersen, Tony Treiber, Andy and Sarah Lambert, John and Josh Ortner, and Eric, Brian and Brad Ortner; five step-grandchildren, Jason Williamson, Jessica Garcia, Craig Brandvold, Coleen Conine and Lindy Winnette; and 12 great grandchildren along with other relatives and good friends.

Along with her beloved husband, Laura was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, John, Henry and Uhl Hamman, three sisters, Leona Kraft, Evelyn Morgan, and Helen Daly, and two grandchildren, Jamie Jo and Jason Ortner.

Honorary pallbearers were Amy Petersen, Andy Lambert, Sarah Lambert, Jason Williamson, Jessica Garcia, Craig Brandvold, Colleen Conine and Lindy Winnette.

Pallbearers were John E. Ortner, Josh Ortner, Eric Ortner, Brain Ortner, Brad Ortner and Tony Treiber.

Arrangements were made under the direction of the Armstrong Funeral Home of Mapleton-Danbury.