Arthur Rudolph Ortgies, the son of Wilhelm Heinrich and Tomke Margaret (Lubben) Ortgies, was born on October 10, 1912 near Alexandria, Nebraska. He passed away on August 15, 2003 at the Sutton Community Home in Sutton, Nebraska at the age of 90 years, 10 months, and 5 days.

Art was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning, Nebraska. He received his 8th grade diploma from District #14 in Thayer County.

Art married Olive Marina Schoenholz of Alexandria, Nebraska on December 2, 1932, and to them three children were born and one child was stillborn. Art and Olive lived most of their lives on farmsteads near Alexandria and Bruning, Nebraska. In September, 2000, due to failing health, he was admitted to the Sutton Community Home.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, Wilhelm and Tomke Ortgies, his wife Olive, his son Keith, an infant son and grandson, son-in-law Jimmy Bruning, brothers George, Edwin, and William, sisters Frieda, Helena, and Bertha; and nephew Jerome Ortgies.

He is survived by his son Kenneth Ortgies and wife Norma Lee "Pat" of Norman, Oklahoma; his daughter-in-law Violet Beth Ortgies of Lushton, Nebraska; his daughter Shareth Bruning of Lincoln, Nebraska; brother Henry Ortgies of Fairbury, Nebraska; sister Minnie Langhorst of Geneva, Nebraska; and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 at 10:00 A.M. from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning, Nebraska with Pastor Liddy Howard officiating.
Pallbearers were Tom Ortgies, Don Roger Ortgies, Gwendell Honensee, Delvin Ortgies, Jay Schoenholz, and Bill Voss.

Interment was in the Bruning Public Cemetery, Nebraska.

The Nelson Gazette, Thursday, August 21, 2003; pg. 3