Loraine Laura (Fast) Ortman
August 13, 1928 ~ January 7, 2024
Loraine Laura (Fast) Ortman was born August 13, 1928, in rural Hutchinson County, South Dakota to Jacob and Lydia (Kunkel) Fast. Most of her childhood and teen years were spent on the family farm in Turner County where she attended country school. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior when she was 10 years old. She attended Freeman Academy and Freeman Junior College.
On August 13, 1950, she was united in marriage with Elmer Ortman at the Silver Lake MB Church where they met and both attended faithfully. Initially, they lived in Mitchell, South Dakota where Loraine worked as a nurse’s aide while Elmer completed his education. They lived in Dolton, South Dakota before moving onto the Ortman homestead where they farmed for four decades. Loraine kept busy as a homemaker and mother and enjoyed gardening, baking, and sewing. Her greatest interest was music, and she always found a way to express this love. She enjoyed singing solos and took part in various singing groups and choirs. In 2000, Loraine and Elmer moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Loraine again found outlets for her music interests. January 2015, Loraine moved to Salina, Kansas to be near two of her daughters.
Loraine and Elmer were blessed with three daughters: Margaret Loewen (Bill) of Seattle, Washington, Marilyn Christmore (Dan) of Wichita, Kansas, and Shirley Luce (John) of Salina, Kansas. Loraine was also very proud of her 7 grandchildren: Karissa, Kimberly, Eric, Corbin, Sarah Jared, and Timothy. In recent years, she enjoyed her 5 great-grandchildren: Emory, Miko, Caspian, Brooks, and Bartholomew.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Elmer.
Loraine enjoyed socializing with the residents and staff at various facilities that she lived. As a result she quickly made friends with whomever. She embraced technology by learning to use an iPhone in her later years. She enjoyed attending Sunday School at Salina First Church of the Nazarene in Salina. Despite her multiple physical limitations and health issues, she maintained a positive attitude and sharp mind.
After acquiring pneumonia early December 2023, her body began to steadily decline until her death January 7, 2024 at the age of 95.
Visitation will be on Thursday, January 11 at 1 PM at Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home in Parker, South Dakota, followed by burial at the West Vermillion Cemetery.
A memorial service is planned for Friday, January 12 at 1 PM at the Bethesda Church, Marion South Dakota.