Robert A. Ortmann, Son of George E. Ortmann and his wife, Anna, nee Blome, was born November 8, 1881, at Fontenelle, "Washington. County, Nebraska, and brought to Christ in baptism on December 4th of the same year. From the age of five years he attended the Lutheran Sunday school and the public school at that place until the removal of his parents in March 1894, to live on a farm near Pender Neb. There he attended the public school and the Parochial school of St. John's Lutheran church until the day of his confirmation, March 29, 1896. During the years 1903 and 1904, he was a student at the agricultural college of our state university at Lincoln. In the year 1906 he came, with his parents, to live on a farm near Bancroft. He was joined in marriage to Clara Siebrandt of Pender, Neb. on Oct. 11, 1910. To this union three children were born, Ruth, Alvin and Arthur, who survive him, and are now respectively ten., eight and five years old.

Although the departed mostly enjoyed the best of health, he was stricken down rather unexpectedly and suddenly on Tuesday afternoon, April 4, with a serious attack of influenza, requiring at once continual and the best of medical attention. But in spite of the high fever refused to yield, complications set in, and on the Sunday following it was apparent that his hours were numbered. Unconscious and in delirium as he was most of the time of his illness, it was evidently the hand of God that restored him to full and clear consciousness on Sunday morning. Fully conscious of his impending death, his Christian faith made him strong and fearless in the face of that dark foe. He called for and thankfully accepted the ministrations of his Pastor, and was able to bid his dear ones an affectionate and touching farewell. Encouraging them to seek a reunion with him in heaven by faithful service of the Lord to whom he had committed his soul and subjected his will. The departed gradually lapsed again in unconsciousness and finally on Monday morning, April 10^th, peacefully fell asleep and found the rest in store for the children of God.

On Thursday afternoon, April 13, at one o'clock a large concourse of friends assembled at the stricken home to give expression to their sympathy for the sorely bereaved and the high esteem in which they held the affectionate and provident husband and father, the kind and helpful son, the faithful brother, the loyal friend, and respected citizen, who death had so suddenly claimed. Services at the home were followed by those at the Lutheran church, of which the deceased had been an interested, faithful and valuable member. Rev. W. E. Homan, who had charge of the cervices, used the words of Christ, John 11,25: "He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." As the fountain from which he drew comfort for the mourners. The Lutheran Male Chorus sang.

Unfortunately the church could not nearly hold the large gathering which had assembled to pay their last respects to the departed. Interment followed at the Bancroft cemetery.

Robert A. Ortmann attained an age of 40 years, 5 months and 2 day, and leaves his sorely stricken widow, three children, his aged parents, one brother, and may other family and friends to mourn is passing.

Now the laborer's task is o'er;

Now the battle-day is past;

Now upon the farther shore

Lands the voyager at last.

Father, in Thy glorious keeping

Leave we now thy servant sleeping