Herman John Ortman

Dad was born on February 21 1925 on a farm near Francis SK.

He was an amazing man. He had so many attributes. He was smart, determined, gentle and kind. He had good morals and was active in the church most of his life. It is hard to put into words a life that was so happy productive and good. I want to tell you a bit from my perspective and Karen and Scott will do the same.

He was the 7th child of 11 children. (One of six boys) He was part of a tight knit family that did many things together even in adulthood.

It was a busy home. Dad told me that they had one pair of skates, that several of them had to share, and each of them would wait patiently on the side of the pond until their turn. They didn’t have a lot but they had a lot of fun and love in their home.

He worked on the family farm helping the family with the rest of his brothers and told me one year it was a very late harvest and it was Christmas and he hadn`t returned to school – His dad told him he might as well go to school since the work was done. He started grade 12 that year after Christmas and passed his grade 12 which I find amazing. (Writing departmental exams)

He and his brothers, I believe Bob and Eddy went logging in Ontario to help out with farm expenses and when they returned took some of the income and bought instruments. Dad bought a mandolin. Eddy had a violin, which didn`t interest him and Dad took it up. Aunty Rose told me Dad could pick up any instrument and play it. He was a smart man (self taught and determined). Charlie & Rose played accordion, Bob and Eddy the guitar. I remember as a child many get-togethers where they would all play together. I guess it was only natural that Karen, Scott and I would also take up the accordion. Dad & I would often play together, almost every time we got together and for sure every Christmas. His love of music continued through life. He and mom were the best dancers. After mom died Dad started dancing at the senior centre and he would dance every single dance for 3 hours. I went there several times with him and had a hard time keeping up with him. Scott and I also went to Regina and danced to the Western Senators, where the taped Polkarama, a weekly show he watched faithfully.

It seemed natural he would continue farming. He bought a farm near Innis in the early 50s. He met mom, Katherine Roesslein, through his sister Gertie, as they were friends. In those early years they spent a lot of time with their family, the younger siblings particularly. Aunt Gertie told me when it was a birthday or anniversary they would always get together for a meal. They didn`t have phones in those days, imagine! But they all knew they would be getting together.

Mom and Dad married on Oct 20 1952 and I came along 2 years later. They lived on the farm in the early years of their marriage and Dad ended up hauling gravel with the department of highways, when they were looking for help. He soon found he could make a better living trucking than farming. I think farming was tough in 50s and 60s. My uncles on mom’s side were operating City Fuel, a coal business, which was slowing down, with the advent of natural gas. So Moms brothers and Dad ended up starting up a road construction company, which Dad worked at the rest of his working years.

Mom and Dad moved into Weyburn and built a house on Government Road in 1958, where he lived until he passed. Dad was also a good carpenter as well as his brother, Mike, who I remember came and helped him with construction.

Wayne was born in 1956 and later died at age 5, Karen came next and later Scott.

I have happy childhood memories….. going to Disney land, family picnics, baseball games, swimming at the lake.

Dad was also an excellent mechanic. He could diagnose and fix any vehicle and spent many hours repairing the heavy equipment in the gravel hauling business. He learned from his older brothers, Jake and Mike who taught him on the farm.

I remember a trash compactor I had that needed repair, and I took it to an appliance shop. I waited for almost 2 years, for some part they needed. Finally, in frustration I asked for it back. The person that had been working on it had left, and when I picked it up it was box of nuts bolts, and pieces. Dad fixed it. He went to the machine shop and had a part made. I was amazed. I don’t know how he did it, having not disassembled it himself. That trash compactor lasted 40 more years.

This reverence for his ability extended to my children. One time at home something fell of the kitchen counter and smashed into a thousand pieces. One of my kids run up to me and said, don’t worry about it, Grandpa can fix it.

Dad kept us all in cars. For me it was a 63 Valiant, which he rebuilt and kept it on the road until I graduated from university (and even after!) He also rebuilt an old Volkswagen for my daughter Elly. And worked on an old 47 chev sedan and various other trucks that I am sure Scott will speak of.

He was a talented, self-taught man – he fixed lawn mowers snow blowers, boat motors, ski doos, anything really, for many in the family.

He was an avid reader. Always reading to pass the time and also doing puzzle books to keep his mind sharp, which it sure was, right til the end

He was also a Christian man and our entire family was involved in the church. Dad served on council, ushered and also played guitar with the church group and played at seniors centres and nursing homes with them.

He was gentle and kind. He was a great father and encouraged me. I am very blessed to be a part of his heritage and the many good values he passed down to all of us. I see his strength determination and a strong work ethic in us and now in his grandchildren.

I have a rich heritage and many blessings. …A gift of a life well lived. (Connie McKenzie)

My dad was and still is in memory a strong, intelligent, dedicated and honest man. He sacrificed his years doing good for his family, without wanting or expecting anything in return. My dad set an example to others, for his integrity and loyalty. There wasn’t anything my dad wouldn’t do to make our life better.

His joyful, positive spirit was remarkable along with his acceptance of everyone he knew. My day gave his all in everything he set his heart to do. We were always taken care of very well by my dad and we always felt so proud of him, for who he was. Now, he is in the afterlife. We still feel so proud of him, and we marvel about all he was and all he did. Our love for my dad stays strong as they days go by.

I remember as a little girl with my brother, Scott, coloring his fingernails and toenails with markers. Him building huge mountains of snow for us to play on in the winter. The countless times Scott and I would be on his lap and would cut the apples into slices for us or cracking us nuts. He would have to wait until we were full before it was turn to have any. I remember his love for music and dancing. I don’t think I will every have a dance partner as good as he was. I remember the trips we went on to the coast, California and Minneapolis. I especially remember the laughter we shared and our talks when it was just him and me together.

These are just a few of the memories I have, and I’m sure you all have many fine memories of him and I would love to hear them. I don’t think anyone really dies if you keep on remembering them. I know I will. Dad – you did good. You did real good. (Karen Macovichuk)

Herman was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Julianna Ortmann; wife, Katherine Ortman (01-01-2013); son, Wayne Herman Ortman (10-28-1961); brothers, Jacob Ortmann, Michael Ortman, Charles Ortman, Adolf (Eddy) Ortman & Robert Ortman and sisters, Katherine Swidrowich and Pauline Dechant.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Constance McKenzie (Earl Cooper) of Saskatoon, SK; Karen (Alan) Macovichuk of Winnipeg, MB; Scott Ortman (Shirley Premachuk) of Winnipeg, MB; grandchildren: Elin (Robert) Mann, Thomas McKenzie (Donghui Bae), Jeffrey (Shannon) McKenzie, Leyna Macovichuk, Britany Macovichuk (Jayden Nickel) and Steven Premachuk; great grandchildren, Julie McKenzie, Nola McKenzie, Rachel McKenzie, Evora Mann, Leah McKenzie and Octavia Mann; sisters, Rosa Wilhemina Whieldon of Maple Ridge, BC, Gertrude Hala of Medicine Hat, AB and Julianna Gutzke of Weyburn, SK as well as other relatives & friends.

A Visitation was held on Thursday, January 14, 2021 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Saskatchewan and A Private Family Funeral Service was held Friday, January 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Pastor Victoria Mwamasika officiating. Interment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

Donations in memory of Herman may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.