Betty Jean Ortmeier

April 13, 1938 - March 8, 2017

Betty Ortmeier, aged 78 of Blair, passed away March 8, 2017, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, March 13, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. Interment will follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Blair. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 12, at St. Francis Borgia with a rosary at 7 p.m. Betty Jean Stangel was born April 13, 1938, in Scribner, Nebraska to Rudy and Sophie (Heywood) Stangel. On August 12, 1959, she was united in marriage to Harold Ortmeier in Dodge, Nebraska. She grew up in Dodge and attended high school in Omaha at Notre Dame Academy. She attended College of Saint Mary in Omaha and graduated in 1958 with a degree in medical technology. For the majority of her life she was a paraprofessional in the Blair School System and was awarded ABE Volunteer Coordinator of the Year in 1984. Betty lived a full life and was an avid collector, whether it be Scottish Terrier items or her vast collection of Department 56 village pieces which were adored by her family every Christmas. She was an antique hunter and lover and all around amazing cook; making the best kolaches the family had ever had. Betty also loved nature, especially the birds and squirrels she watched out her kitchen window. Betty was a great card player and entertainer. She taught the grandkids how to play many games and how to “shoot the moon” in Pitch. She also was involved in church activities at St. Francis Borgia. She loved to sing with the guitar group and she also taught CCD. It was evident the love she had for her family and friends, for which she will be greatly missed. Betty is survived by her husband of 57 years, Harold Ortmeier of Blair; daughters, Kelli (Ortmeier) Sonderup of Blair, Kris Ortmeier of Bozeman, Montana, and Kathi Ortmeier of Omaha; grandchildren Jena (Wenz) and Carl Coy of Bellevue, Megan (Wenz) and William Herron of Bennington, Brad Wenz of Oakland, Calif., Jessica (Carson) and Jesse Goldfish of Blair, Kaitlin Carson and fiance Joe Nilson of Blair, and William “Liam” Carson of Blair; step siblings, nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren and many friends. She was preceded in death by her children, Kent Ortmeier and Karol (Ortmeier) Henricksen; parents, Rudy and Sophie Stangel; sister, Mary (Stangel) Eifert; and son-in-law Wayne Sonderup. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.