Clara Dorothy (Stahl) Ortman (1928 -
2015)
Obituary
MOUNDRIDGE - Clara Dorothy Ortman
passed away January 18th, 2015, at Pine Village, Moundridge, KS. She
was born in Newton, KS, to William and Mary (Scheffler) Stahl on
December 11, 1928. She attended a small country grade school, Kellas
School, and graduated from Newton High in 1947. Clara married Ernest
Krieger on March 17, 1948, and they had two children, Joyce Elaine
and Dale Eugene. Ernie passed away in a tragic accident in January,
1956. Clara married Albert Ortman on November 22, 1957, with Rita Kay
and Rachel Bertine joining the family circle, raising them as her
own. Albert passed away on November 8, 2008. Clara then moved to
Assisted Living at Pine Village.
Clara was a farmer's wife, homemaker,
and loving mother to her children. She enjoyed baking, cooking,
sewing, gardening, and loved growing flowers and feeding the birds.
She was always busy, whether helping Bert plow the fields, milking
the cows, butchering chickens and hogs, she could do it all. She
enjoyed entertaining friends and family. Clara loved to square dance,
play cards and enjoyed craft work.
Clara was a faithful member of the
First Mennonite Church of Halstead and involved in many church
committees. She was active in the Friendship Sunday School Class,
Mary Martha's, Mission Society and "76" Quilters. Clara was
also a 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher and Bible School Director at
Liberty Grade School where she was actively involved in her
children's activities. She was an active EHU member and involved in
Pine Village Women's Auxiliary. After moving to Pine Village Assisted
Living, she enjoyed playing cards each evening and enjoyed being on
the Wii's Bowling Team.
She told her family "I am going
home to see Jesus, and 1 can't wait." She stated, "Our
family was raised as one big happy family and all turned out
wonderful!" She loved her children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren and loved getting together.
Survivors include: Son, Dale (Janet)
Ortman of Moundridge; Daughters, Rachel (Jim) Ellis., Pensacola FL,
Joyce (Kris) Lindenberger, Inman and Rita (Dean) Allmon of Lincoln,
KS. Clara was blessed with 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren,
and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Other survivors are: brother,
Carl Stahl,Newton, sisters-in-law, Ethel Stahl, Wichita, and Leah
(Ortman) Toews, McPherson.
A graveside service will be held at
10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at the Halstead Cemetery, followed by a
memorial service at 11 a.m. at the First Mennonite Church, Halstead.
Friends may call Wednesday from 4 until 8 p.m. with the family
present from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Moundridge Funeral Home. Memorials
are suggested to Pine Village or First Mennonite Church, Halstead.
