James Ortmann
December 16, 1968 ~ April 19, 2020
James Alan Ortmann, 51, of Lisbon, Iowa, died on Sunday, April 19, 2020. Due to state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic, graveside services will private for the family at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2020. Friends and extended family are invited to watch the services via livestream on Facebook. Search for and join the Remembering Jim Ortmann Facebook group for more information. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon.
The Lisbon Fire Department will lead a funeral procession from the funeral home to the cemetery sometime between 12:35 and 12:55 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2020. The procession will go be coming from Mount Vernon, entering Lisbon from the west, going east on Main Street and turning south on Jackson Street down to entrance of the cemetery. Friends are invited to park along the route and stand outside of their cars to show support for Jim's family.
Survivors include his parents, Jerry and Nancy Ortmann of Lisbon; brothers, Scott Ortmann of Morgantown, Kentucky and Mark (Dani) Ortmann of Forsyth, Illinois; nephews, Cody and Tyler; and several aunts and uncles. He is also survived by his close friends, Rawley and Lisa Alger, Bill and Patti Stewart, and Noami, Veronica, and Preston Russell.
Jim was born on December 16, 1968, the son of Jerome and Nancy (Phelps) Ortmann. He graduated from Prairie High School in 1988. Jim worked in food service at Cornell College for 30 years. He will be remembered as a good man who was always smiling and willing to help anyone. He loved his Diet Pepsi and spending time with his family and friends around town.
He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Tracy Ortmann, and cousin, John Smith.
Memorials are suggested Special Olympics Iowa.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
So sorry to hear of Jimmys passing. I’ve lived out of state for many years but returned home every year for Sauerkraut Days. I knew with certainty that two things would happen that weekend. First, I would talk wrestling with all my great Lisbon friends. Second, I would see Jimmy on Main Street with a smile on his face and talk like I’d never left. He was a great person, Sauerkraut Days will never be the same. God bless his wonderful family.
Jimmy was a wonderful guy! He worked at Gwen’s Restaurant for many years! I also had the pleasure of working at Cornell with him! So very sorry to the family! He will truly missed!
We are going to miss you walking across the street after visiting your parents to come and hang with Nate in the garage or just chat about anything and nothing at all. You will be sorely missed Jimmy. Rest easy. To the Ortmann Family, our prayers are with you; thank you for sharing Jimmy with all of us. – The Slaton Family
My heart shares your unspeakable sadness. Jimmy was always so friendly and sweet! His “face” is in many of our pictures as he and Eric grew up together. You raised a very lovely son. I pray you feel Gods presence with you as you walk this journey.🙏🏻❤️ With all my love, Sally Kirkpatrick
Sad to hear of Jimmy’s passing. He was a friend and a great person to be around. He was always had friendly smile and cheerful conversation to share. Like my son, he may have been different, but he had a big heart and loved to help others. RIP my friend.
My condolences go out to Jim’s friends and family. I was a student at Cornell College and saw Jim in Bon Appetite. He would always be there with a smile and was always a comforting face to see. He will be remembered by many Cornell students!
Our condolences go out to Nancy and the rest of Jim’s family/
My condolences go out to Jimmy’s Family Jimmy you will be very well missed not only by all the co-workers that you worked with Through The Years your family but your community as well when I worked with you at Cornell you were always there for me Bob and my family you are going to shine up in heaven and I hope to see you again someday keep smiling up there and we’ll miss you down here
Sorry for the loss of someone so dear to you. Keeping you, all his coworkers, Cornell family & student body, his community, friends and his family during this time of great loss.
Jimmy was a one of a kind. He always greeted everyone with a smile and a wave. Keeping Jerry, Nancy, Scott, Mark and the whole family in my thoughts.
My heart is saddened by your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with your family. Please accept my deepest condolences during your time of grief.
We are saddened for the loss of a great guy. His smile was contagious. Praying for peace and comfort to the family at this time. Robby & Kendra Kamerling
So saddened to hear about Jimbo’s passing. I talked to him every day for the 4 years I was at Cornell and no matter what we could always get him to smile! He will be missed by everyone that knew him and all the Cornell students that will never get a chance to know him. Deepest condolences to his family.
Uncle Jerry and Aunt Nancy, Scott and Mark, We are so sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. Hugs to all of you.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Jimmy. It was a pleasure to work with Jimmy at Cornell for these past 6 years. I will miss his smiling face and Hello Becky every day. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Becky Mains
Nancy and Jerry, I was shocked and saddened by the news of Jimmy. He was a kind person, a genuine friend
Our whole family is very sad to hear this, my wife Libbie worked with him at Cornell college and gwen’s for many years and I’ve been lucky enough to know him and his whole family my whole life, he could always make all of us smile, our sorrow and prayers are with you and hope you can find some comfort in knowing how truly loved he was . R.I.P. MY FRIEND
Dear Ortmanns, I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. In all of my years of teaching , I have not met a kinder, more loving, or more respectful family. My heart aches for you.
I’m so sorry for you’re loss. I was fortunate enough to have Jimmy as a housemate back in 1997-1998 He was a wonderful person. He was always smiling and he made sure that we always had food in the fridge. We had great memories watching for storms at the edge of town and going to fire meetings. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Nancy and Jerry, and family, we are very sorry for your loss. I not only worked with Jimmy for nearly 27 years, but grew up with him. Like a big pain in the butt brother! I told him weekly, he was a pain in my butt, and he always said, “yeah, but I am your pain in the butt”. I will miss him more than you will ever know. He was such a large part of Cornell, from his Santa suit , halloween costumes, to his Viking garb, he just wanted to make us all smile and laugh! He did, and it will be difficult from now on. RIP Jim Bob!
All of Lisbon will miss this gentle soul. Jimmy was a kind person and always had a smile on his face. Val and I will keep his family in our prayers. Rest in peace J O.
Nancy & Jerry, we are so very sorry for your loss of sweet Jim. Our hearts are broken for you. He was such a great caring guy. Thinking of you both. Darcy, Cody, Dakota & Kyle