Raymond Jerome “Joe” Bortnem, 85, of Dell Rapids passed away unexpectedly at his home Wednesday, June 5, 2013. Memorial services will begin at 7:00 PM Friday, June 14, 2013 at Minnehaha Funeral Home Chapel in Dell Rapids. Visitation will begin at 3:00 PM with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, June 14, 2013 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids. Private family committal services with military honors will be held at the Dell Rapids Cemetery.
Raymond Jerome “Joe” Bortnem was born March 18, 1928 in Dell Rapids, the son of Anna (Leum) and Alfred Bortnem. Joe had two siblings, Alvina Rauhauser (deceased) and Elmer Bortnem, Great Falls, MT.
Joe was raised and attended school in the Lake Campbell, Rutland and Dell Rapids areas. He entered the U.S. Air Force in February of 1947. He served in Okinawa. While stationed at Kelly Air Force base in San Antonio, he met and married Lenora (Nora) Lozano in 1949. Upon discharge they returned to South Dakota, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator in Dell Rapids and throughout the state. In his early years he enjoyed riding broncos and his Harley. He was twice elected as an alderman for the City of Dell Rapids and bladed roads for the Dell Rapids Township. He was also proud to have obtained a private pilot’s license.
Joe is survived by his second wife, Jan (Stone) Bortnem, Dell’s Area Nursing and Rehab Center; children, John (Luke) Hullinger Bortnem, Seattle WA, David (Julie) Bortnem, Arvada Co, Roger (Gayle) Bortnem, Aberdeen SD, Marion Sprecher, Vermillion SD, Jerome Bortnem, Aberdeen SD and Sandra (Duane) Sakry, Dell Rapids SD; step-children, Jeff (Tess) Stone, Hartford SD, Jason (Nita) Stone, Brookings SD; twelve grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; twenty nine great-grandchildren; ten nephews; six nieces and his special caregiver, Penny Baker.
Joe was preceded in death by his first wife, Nora Bortnem; parents, Anna (Leum) and Alfred Bortnem and his sister, Alvina Rauhauser.