Ervin Alvin Ortmann, 92

Ervin Alvin Ortmann was escorted to his heavenly home on Dec. 7, 2024 at the age of 92. During his last seven years he was lovingly cared for by Vickie, his eldest daughter, and her husband Tim in their earthly home. He was born on Aug. 7, 1932 in the family farmhouse near Rural Route 1, Marion, S.D. He was the second oldest of six children born to Harold and Clara (Ewert) Ortmann. He graduated from Freeman Junior Academy in June of 1950. He then attended Chicago Evangelistic Institution for a brief time. After concluding some higher education, he farmed with his dad and helped manage the Ortmann Implement Company. He met his wife-to-be, Lily Rose, a lovely one room schoolteacher, at the church in Dolton, S.D. Ervin and Lily Rose (Walter) were married on a very hot humid day in Tyndall, S.D., on Aug. 30, 1953. Their union brought them five children: Duane, Vickie, DelRoy, Vonda and Dale.

He served in the Army, during the Korean Conflict, from 1954 -1956. Following his basic training in Texas he was sent to serve as a Medic in Germany. Upon his return, he continued to serve, doing Army Reserves in Sioux Falls, S.D. Ending his service as a SP3 (P) and receiving a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

Ervin answered the call to full-time Christian ministry in December of 1969, following the death of his father, in October of 1969. He started his training at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Neb., attending a semester there, commuting back and forth on weekends. He then sold the family business and packed up his family of seven and headed, in the dead of winter, to University Park, Iowa, where he finished his BA of Pastoral Ministry at Vennard Bible College, in June of 1974. He started his ministry at Hillside Missionary Church in Clarinda, Iowa while still attending Vennard College during the week and commuting home on the weekend to minister in the church. In 1978 he transitioned to Omaha to start a new church plant for The Missionary Church. He worked bi-vocationally in construction and the ministry. Another winter move awaited in 1988 when he accepted a call from the Willamette Blvd Evangelical Church in Portland, Ore. Ervin and Lily Rose ministered there to a wonderful group of people until retiring in July of 1996.

At every stop Ervin was a pastor of the people. He never met a stranger, talking easily with all. He always found ways to put his physical skills to use at his churches. Ervin will be remembered for his love of family, faith and work ethic. As a farmer in South Dakota, he pioneered the 20-inch no till row. He did some creative things with the Allis Chalmer tractor at local tractor pulls. He was a master packer when loading the U-Hauls to move the family. One of his and Lily Rose’s favorite trips was visiting the Holy Lands in 1973. He brought back meaningful mementos and lifetime memories. Things he saw in the Holy Lands helped bring his sermons to life.  He enjoyed doing many house construction and remodeling projects. In Omaha, he utilized solar heating principles that he created resulting in some of the lowest utilities bills around. He was always trying some new experiments to get perpetual motion accomplished. He was fond of saying “good enough for who it’s for” when working with his children on tasks. Another saying often pronounced was “never say never.” Phrases he repeated often in his later years were, “Whatever will be will be” and “Full speed ahead until you’re dead.” In retirement Ervin and Lily Rose enjoyed traveling to see their children and grandchildren. Aging and broken lawn mowers were brought back to life with patience and perseverance. He enjoyed reading and got some of his best naps with a book on his chest.

Ervin and Lily Rose enjoyed an epic marriage of 61 years. After Lily Rose’s passing in 2015 Ervin kept her memory alive always traveling with their wedding picture. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Clara (Ewert); his wife, Lily Rose (Walter); siblings: infant brother Elmer Ortmann, brother Walter Ortmann, and sister Esther (Walter) Berg; and great-granddaughter Hazel Ortmann.

He is survived by two sisters and their husbands, Ella (Jack) Goodman and Dorothy (Ted) VanderEnde; one sister-in-law, Janice (Ortmann) Secor; brother-in-law Carney (Betty) Walter and a host of nieces and nephews.

Left to cherish Ervin’s memory are his family: five children, 24 grandchildren and 29 great- grandchildren.

Duane (Conchi) Ortmann of Chipiona, Spain and their children: Inmaculada Ortmann of Chipiona, Spain. Daniel (Sarah) Ortmann of Chipiona, Spain and their children Jessica, Daniel Jr., Diane and Demetrius.

Vickie (Tim) Clemenson of The Dalles, Ore., and their children: Caleb (Stacy) Clemenson of Tigard, Ore., and their children: Joseph, Joshua and Jonathan, Jacob (Kaitlyn) Clemenson of Chesterfield, Va., and their children: Gabriel, Lilyana and Charlotte. Vanessa (Chad) Hollinger of East Petersburg, Pa., and their children: Ellie, Grayson and Sophie.

DelRoy (Donna) Ortmann of Kokomo, Ind., and their children: Olivia (Jacob) Baldwin of Carmel, Ind, Graham (Nicole) Ortmann of Austin, TX and Anna (Tanner) Watkins of Lafayette, Ind.

Vonda (Steve) Spencer of Prairie Village, Kan., and their children: Bailey Spencer of Prairie Village, Blake (Kate) Spencer of Overland Park, and their children Molly, Miles and Kylie. Brady (Christen) Spencer of Overland Park, and their child Maisie. Holly (Matt) Clarkson of McHenry, Ill., and their child Tyler. Hogan (Cortlyn) Spencer of Overland Park. Harrison (Maggie) Spencer of Lenexa, Kan. Avery Spencer of Prairie Village.

Dale (Jessica) Ortmann of Horseshoe Bend, Id., and their children: Athena Ortmann of Springfield, Ore., Drake (McKenzie) Ortmann of Springfield, and their child Virgil. Rhett (Trisha) Ortmann of Springfield, and their children Riggins and Roman. Magnolia (Carsen) Jensen of Springfield, and their child Dawsen. Tiffiny Marquez of Payette, Id., and her children Mia, John and Lillian. Chance (Kimmie) Marquez of Emmett, Id., and their child Marwin. Zane (Audrey) Marquez of Letha, Id., and their child Kasen. Drake (Alexis) Wilson of Horseshoe Bend, Id., and their children Khloe and Banxx. Chaylee Marquez of Payette.

A graveside service will be held in South Dakota at the West Vermilion Cemetery, formerly The Ortmann Cemetery at 10 a.m. on April 12, 2025, with a gathering to follow. The family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in memory of Ervin to Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch, Inc., 396 Boys Rand Road, Lampe, MO 65681 or Valley Christian Center, P.O. Box 248, Horseshoe Bend, ID 83628 building fund.