Bernice Ortman, 83, Pipestone, died on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016 at the Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone. Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 9 at Hartquist Funeral Home, Pipestone Chapel, with Rev. Bill Ostermeier officiating. Interment was in New Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone. On-line condolences may be left at the Hartquist Funeral Home website.
Bernice Becker Ortman was born on July 3, 1933 to Joel and Wadia (Ratzloff) Becker in Marion, S.D. She grew up on the farm and attended country school. She married Edward Ortman on June 20, 1954. While living in Mitchell, S.D. she worked at the hospital. After the children arrived she stayed at home. When Edward died on July 26, 1979, she ran a home daycare for 15 years in Pipestone.
At a young age Bernice accepted her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She was baptized by immersion and lived out her faith daily.
She is survived by her three children, Linda (Cal) Farmer, Pipestone, Mark (Ruth) Ortman, Ironwood, Mich. and Dale (Tonia) Ortman, Jasper, Ga., six grandchildren; one sister, Benita (Darrell) Weinacht, Dell Rapids, S.D. and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Bishop, Greenville, N.C. She was preceded in death by her husband, mother and father.