Keith D. Zortman 1919 - 1999

ZORTMAN, SMITH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/16/2014 at 12:19:24

Sloan Starlet
24 November 1999

Keith D. Zortman, 80, devoted husband, father, farmer, and US Navy Veteran, entered into rest on Thursday, November 4, 1999, at Onawa, Iowa.

Keith was born July 24, 1919, and raised in Onawa, Iowa, and lived virtually his entire life on the family farm four miles northwest of Onawa. He was married to the former Kathleen Mary Smith on August 3, 1949. Their marriage produced nine children and as of this writing, 17 grandchildren. They celebrated a joyous 50th Wedding Anniversary with all the children and grandchildren in August 1999.

Keith's residence in Onawa, Iowa, was interrupted by four years of service in the Second World War as a member of the US Navy. He completed his training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago, Illinois. Keith proudly served his country and remained a strong supporter of the US military throughout his life. During the Second World War, he served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Santee and saw extensive combat action in the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. He saw many shipmates die and never forgot the noble sacrifice of those who perished in defense of the country he loved. Until his death, he and Kathleen attended annual reunions of his surviving Santee shipmates in various parts of the United States.

Keith and Kathleen ran a successful farming operation, retiring from farming in 1986. In the early years, Keith and his brothers farmed together, but all later pursued independent farming businesses. The farming operation of Keith and Kathleen included corn, soy-bean and alfalfa production as well as marketing of sheep and wool. The sheep business produced many enjoyable life-long relationships in the live-stock commission and trucking businesses.

Keith was a lifelong member of St. John's Catholic Church and the Monona County VFW Post #2694, both in Onawa, Iowa.

He is survived by his widow, Kathleen and children: Dennis, James, Regina Chihak, Paul, Philip, Anne Sutton, Mary Cohen, Vincent, and Teresa Koutnik. He is also survived by grandchildren: Ben Rodgers, Brenna Zortman, Vincent, Daniel and Laura Chihak, Andrew, Nathan, Kathleen, and Joseph Sutton, Thomas and Julia Cohen, Nicholas, Teresa and Anthony Zortman, and Patrick, James and Samantha Koutnik.

Survivors also include brothers, Howard and Gene, both of Onawa, and a sister, Noreen Mahlburg of Rockford, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Florence, and his father, Frye.

The Funeral Mass was held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 8, 1999, at St. John Catholic Church, Onawa, Iowa, with Father Jerome Koutnik, Mass Celeb. The organist was Diane Stangel and the Cantor was Kevin Vickery. Altar servers were Nathan Sutton and Daniel Chihak. Readers were Brenna Zortman and Kathleen Sutton and Gifts were Laura Chihak and Patrick Koutnik.

Casket Bearers were James Zortman, Philip Zortman, Paul Zortman, Vincent Zortman, Andrew Sutton, and Vincent Chihak.

Interment was in the Onawa Cemetery, Onawa,
Iowa with Military Rites by the Naval Reserve Unit Omaha, Nebraska, LCDR Sitzch, Commanding Officer.

Arrangements were by Pearson Funeral Home, Onawa, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to Crossroads of Western Iowa, 301 10th Street, Onawa, Iowa