Gertrude Ottmar
Gertrude Mae (Bentz) Ottmar passed from this life on September 22, 2022, at the Jacobson Mermorial Care Center in Elgin at the age of 90 years, 3 months, 20 days. Funeral services for Gertrude M. Ottmar of Elgin will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 30, 2022, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin. Pastor Bethany Haberstroh will officiate with burial to follow at the Zion Cemetery in Elgin. The Funeral Service will be live streamed on the website www.evansonjensenfuneralhome. com and can be viewed by going to Gertie’s obituary and clicking on “view funeral service here”.
Serving as casket bearers are her grandchildren Andreia Nebel, Kelly Hehn, Megan Mack, Chad Ottmar, Lance Ottmar, Lynly Hebert, Heather Reis, Shane Dettmann, Angie Cook, Adam Ottmar, Hannah Lackman, Heidi Leckner, MacKenzie Hanson and Breean Hanson. All Gertie’s great-grandchildren are considered Honorary Bearers. Special music will be provided by Marcy Haase, soloist and Todd Allen, organist.
Gertrude Mae Bentz was born June 2, 1932, at Heil, ND to John and Lenora (Theurer) Bentz. She was baptized and confirmed at Grace Reformed Church in Heil, ND. She grew up on a farm north of Heil and attended a rural school near their farm. Gertie was united in marriage to Ervin (Shorty) Ottmar on September 21, 1953, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Leipzig. Following their marriage, they moved south of New Leipzig to start farming and raising a family. In 1964 Gertie and Shorty moved to the Ottmar homestead west of Elgin. In 1992 following the death of Shorty, Gertie moved into Elgin. She went to work at Jacobson Memorial Hospital in the dietary dept. July 1993 and retired Jan 2009 at the age of 76. Gertie was a farm wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. She enjoyed gardening and raising chickens. She was an excellent cook, baker and canning anything and everything. Her favorite hobby was baking and did so for many friends and family as you can all attest was delicious. She catered weddings and family reunions with her sister Ardella and friend Rhonda (Fischer) Haas. She loved “old time music”, watching baseball and football on TV. Gertie was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin. She entered Dakota Hills August 20, 2022 and after a few days was admitted to Jacobson Memorial Hospital and then to the Care Center where she resided at the time of her death.
Surviving family members include her three daughters and one son-in-law, Connie Hehn, Leith, ND; Arlyes Dettmann, Bismarck, ND; Debbie and Shawn Hanson, Buchanan, ND; two sons and daughtersin- law, Blaine and Linda (Hochhalter) Ottmar, Elgin, ND, Garry and Wanda (Nantt) Ottmar, Manning, ND; 14 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 1 brother, 4 sisters- in-law and 1 brotherin- law, Ervin and Elenore Bentz, Bismarck, ND; June Bentz, Miller, SD; Claudia Bentz, Mott, ND; Audrey Bentz, Lino Lakes, MN; Vernon Vietz, Bismarck, ND; 4 sisters and 2 brother-inlaws, Erma and Arlan Bachman, Bismarck, ND; Dorothy and Emanuel Will, Leona Hauck, Elaine Roth and special friend Mike Haslid all from Elgin, ND; and many numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Lenora, her husband Ervin (Shorty), son-in-law Bob Hehn, great-grandson Wyatt Cook; 4 brothers, Edgar Milbert, Reinhold, and Marvin; 1 sister, Ardella Vietz.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 29, 2022 at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin. In lieu of plants/flowers family prefers memorials to be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 400 2nd Ave NE, Elgin, ND 58533. Cards may be sent to Connie Hehn, 8075 62nd Ave. SW, Leith, ND 58529.