Margene Ortman passed away on December 20, 2020 at home surrounded by family.
Margene was born in 1935, in Marion, South Dakota to Peter J. and Sarah (Goertz) Adrian. She graduated from Marion High School in 1953 and from South Dakota State University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics.
In June of 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Eldon Ortman.
The couple lived in Manhattan, Kansas from 1957 to 1961. During those years, Margene worked as secretary to the head of the Music Department at Kansas State. After moving to Brookings, South Dakota in 1961 she became a part-time faculty member at South Dakota State University teaching in the Clothing and Textiles Department in addition to her responsibilities as a homemaker and mother. In Brookings, she also served as President of Faculty Wives and was active in church groups.
In 1972, the family moved to West Lafayette, Indiana. She enjoyed having guests in her home and over the years hosted many departmental functions with staff families in her husband’s department at Purdue.
Margene was active in Federated Church for over 20 years, singing in the choir, playing handbells, accompanying a children’s choir, teaching Sunday school, serving as President of the congregation, and chairing the Women’s Fellowship. She served as Director of the Pre-School and Mom’s Time Out at Federated for 14 years.
As an active volunteer in the community, she especially enjoyed her experiences at LUM’s homeless shelter and interaction with students at the International Center at Purdue. She served on the board of the International Center for several terms, serving as chairperson part of that time. She enjoyed playing the piano and accompanied many students and her own children at music contests. After her husband retired, they became buyers for two food pantries in town and volunteered weekly at Food Finders. She was a member of Covenant Church in West Lafayette, PEO chapter CI and Purdue Women’s Club. Gardening was her passion, and her yard and home were always full of blooming plants. She loved people and enjoyed traveling with her husband. She felt fortunate to have visited all 50 states and over 20 countries. She especially loved national parks and all things nature related. This led to a passion for photography enabling her to relive those trips over and over.
Her family was most important to her and she cherished each time the entire group was together. She was highly involved in her children and grandchildren’s lives, attending events and supporting and encouraging them in many precious ways. Her many friends that knew her would easily recognize her infectious smile, her positive energy, and her warm and caring nature.
Survivors include: Husband, Eldon E. Ortman; Children, Karen Salib (husband Dan Green), Connie Workman, and Nancy Lupinski (husband Scott); Grandchildren Peter and Lila Salib, Natalie Workman, and Alex and Ryan Lupinski; Great-grandson Augustine Salib.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Wallace Adrian, and her sister, Thelma Richards.
In lieu of flowers, it would be appreciated if memorial contributions in Margene’s honor be given to Lafayette Urban Ministry or Food Finders.