Obituary of William James Ortman

William “Bill” Ortman, 92 of Duluth passed away peacefully on July 10, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospice after a six-year battle with cancer. He was born on January 31, 1930, to Bernard and Elizabeth Ortman in Hurley, Wisconsin.

Bill retired from Labor Local 1091 in 1988. He spent countless hours searching the waters of Lake Superior looking for trout and salmon, gardening, growing way more than he could eat. There was always something cooking in Bill’s kitchen. Fall found him chasing deer, ducks and geese. Weekends found him at the racetrack with his extended family, the McMann’s.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elsie, his five siblings, Russell, George, Tom, Betty, Toby, special friend, Beverly McMann, a companion of 35 years, and Great Grandson Gabe Johnson.

He is survived by five children, Lorraine (David) Pauly, Jim (Laura), Jo Ann Erickson (Joe Walz), Earl, Carl, brother John (Linda) and 44 Grandchildren, with a special place in his heart for Megan and Morgan.

Our family would like to thank everyone at St. Luke’s for their wonderful care and kindness.

In lieu of a service Bill requested that everyone go and do something fun!