Melvin P. Ortner

January 20, 1929 - April 25, 2019

Melvin P. Ortner, 90, Mapleton, IA died April 25, 2019 at the Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, IA. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, May 1st at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton, IA with Father Richard D. Ball as Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Mapleton. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 30th from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm followed by a Rosary. Christy-Smith Funeral Homes of Sioux City is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.christysmith.com Melvin was born January 20, 1929 on the family farm near Danbury, IA to Louis and Apollonia (Kline) Ortner. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Danbury. He married Dorothy Lee on April 26, 1949 in Danbury. They started married life and their family near Danbury where Melvin worked for several area farmers. The couple moved several times before settling in the Mapleton area in 1960 to farm. In 1979, the couple moved in to Mapleton and Melvin continued to farm. In 1981, Melvin added selling feed to his career in agriculture at Maple Valley Feeds. He retired from farming in 1990 and from selling feed in 1991. Melvin enjoyed collecting model cars, trucks and tractors. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, attending his grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s events. His faith in Jesus Christ as a Roman Catholic was evident in the way he lived his life. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton, and the Knights of Columbus Council # 2869. Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Mapleton, son; Tom (Karen) Ortner, Yuba City, CA, daughter; Marsha (Doug) Craig of Mapleton, IA, son; Bob (Carol) Ortner, Goodland, KS, daughter; Marilyn (Jim) Anderson, Sioux City, IA, son; Joe (Barb) Ortner Minnetonka, MN, daughter; Julie Ortner-Goodin, Dakota Dunes, SD, daughter; Jean (Pete) Kerr, Sgt. Bluff, IA, 18 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, brother; Leon “Swede” (Mary) Ortner, Danbury, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 sisters and a brother. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in memory of Melvin.