Warren Gene Zortman 1921 - 2018

LARSON, ZORTMAN, BURKE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/27/2018 at 17:07:34

Onawa Democrat
24 January 2018

Warren Gene Zortman, 96, of Onawa, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Burgess Health Center in Onawa.

A funeral mass will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 20, 2018, at St. John's Catholic Church in Onawa, with Father Michael Erpelding celebrant. Burial will follow in the Whiting City Cemetery in Whiting, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral mass on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Warren Gene Zortman was born on March 2, 1921, on the family farm near Onawa, the son of Erve and Florence (Larson) Zortman. He graduated from the Onawa High School in 1938.

He met Charlotte Irene Burke on a dance floor in Castana, and they were married on October 12, 1945, at St. John's Catholic Church in Onawa.

Gene was a fourth generation farmer. Along with his brothers, he fed and sheared up to 10,000 head of sheep yearly. He also worked with grain equipment for Middlestate Manufacturing of Columbus, Nebraska, as its director of new products for many years.

Along with farming and working with grain equipment, Gene was a man with a creative and innovative mind. He made violins that were played in symphonies, on cruise ships, and in Branson. He was named Iowa's Old Timer Fiddler of the Year. Gene also composed and published his own music. He had interest in broadcasting and was the pioneer of cable TV in Onawa.

Gene enjoyed bowling, golf, and softball. For several years, he served as a Little League baseball coach. Another favorite pastime was playing bridge and spades with his family. Gene was active in politics and the Republican Party. He was a lifelong member of St. John's Catholic Church in Onawa and sang in the church choir.

Survivors include his wife of over 72 years, Charlotte "Toddy" Zortman of Onawa, IA; six children, Bill and wife Carolyn Zortman of Hartford, SD; Dick "Doc" and wife Louanne Zortman of Sioux City, IA; Jeannee Mueller-Fossberg of Grand Island, NE; Kathryn and husband Terry Clarkson of Lawton, IA; Carole and husband Randy Syse of Waukesha, WI; and Karen and husband Douglas Loos of Aurora, CO; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren, and one more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Erve and Florence Zortman; two infant sons, Peter Andrew Zortman and Thomas Gerard Zortman; his favorite uncle, John Zortman; two brothers and their wives, Howard and Helen Zortman; and Keith and Kathleen Zortman; one sister and her husband, Norine and Milton Mahlburg; one great-grandson, Armstrong Zortman; and one son-in-law, Brad Fossberg.

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