Colleen Marie (Freking) Ortmann was born on February 18, 1934, to the late Joseph and Loretta (Holton) Freking in LeMars, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Oyens, Iowa. She attended St. Catherine’s Catholic School in Oyens, Iowa, through the ninth grade then moved to complete high school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Remsen, Iowa.
At age 15, Colleen began teaching the accordion. Colleen loved the sound of music and dedicated her life to filling the world with it. She spent more than 58 years as a piano, accordion, and organ instructor. She demonstrated incredible patience and was a memorable teacher to so many. She also served St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in many ways – as an organist for 60 years, liturgist, on the alter society, and guided youth to grow closer to Jesus as a CCD Catechist.
On June 8, 1954, Colleen was united in marriage to Richard Ortmann at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Oyens, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, Gary, Ken, Jeanine, Dan, Ann, Tim, and Mike.
On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, Colleen passed away at Good Samaritan Society – Sogge Memorial in Windom, Minnesota, at the age of 89 years.
Colleen is survived by her children, Gary (Lynn) Ortmann of Windom, MN, Ken (Nancy) Ortmann, of Marshall, MN, Jeanine (Matt) Hiller of Sioux Falls, SD, Dan (Linda) Ortmann of Windom, MN, Ann (Gary) Arendt of Sioux Falls, SD, Tim (Ellie) Ortmann of Buffalo, MN, and Mike Ortmann of Wadena, MN; twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and siblings Larry Freking of LeMars, IA, Jim (Sally) Freking of LeMars, IA, Pat Wurth of Marcus, IA; and sister-in-law, Carol Freking.
Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Loretta Freking; husband, Richard Ortmann; brother, Don Freking; sisters-in-law, Karolyn Freking and Vicki Freking; and brother-in-law, Francis Wurth.
Blessed be the memory of Colleen Marie Ortmann.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Colleen Ortmann, was held on Monday, July 3rd at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Windom.
Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Condolences and memories of Colleen may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.
