Le Mars, Iowa – James "Jim" Louis Ortmann, 89, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at his home surrounded by the love of his family and faith in the Lord. Jim will be welcomed into the arms of his mothers in Heaven. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022, at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. James Church, Le Mars. Father Travis Crotty will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at the church. The family will be present from 4-7 p.m. with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Monday.

Jim was born on October 11, 1932 in Le Mars to Edward and Mary (Langel) Ortmann. Du to his mother's illness, Jim was raised at the Langel house in Le Mars the first year of his life. His mother later passed away, and Edward was united in marriage to Anna (Langel) Ortmann.

He was raised on the farm with his siblings, milking cows, taking care of the livestock and raising crops. Jim treasured the memories, and they shaped into the the amazing son, brother, husband, father and friend we all knew and loved.

Jim attended St. Joseph's Parochial School and graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School. He met the love of his life at his best friend Jerry's wedding. Jim and Gretch (Wetzel) Ortmann were united in marriage on August 30, 1956 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Jim and Gretch shared their life together farming on the family farm outside of Le Mars. Jim's love of family, the land and his neighbors were an example to all who knew him.

He was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Jim loved the farm, spending time with family, and had a deep unwavering faith in the Lord. He was the president of the Gehlen Catholic J Club and served on the Gehlen Catholic School Board.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Gretch, of Le Mars, IA; a son, Tom (Lori) Ortmann and a daughter, Kathy (Mike) Rollins, all of Le Mars, IA; 8 grandchildren, Jenni (Michael) Brewer, Beau (Jess) Ortmann, Heather (Carey) Ortmann, Heidi (Kyle) Ortmann, Cody Ortmann, Shannon (Sam) Gerhardt, Trista (Chris) Hodgson and Kristina (Justin) Fiedler; 24 great-grandchildren, Ashby, Knox, Paige, J.T., Tyler, Dominick, Zachery, Kandis, Tayla, Tate, Kyler, Calvin, Landon, Daymien, Seth, Adriana, Andrew, Tron, Nevaeh, Drake, Riley, Jashua, Tom and Cooper; special mention to "Cracker Jack", the cat who loved Grandpa, and was by his side until the end. Jim's grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the best things he could have ever imagined. One of Jim's finest moments was the day that his great-grandson Landon entered the world on his birthday 14 years ago. And most recently, when James Thomas (J.T.) was named after him.

Jim is also survived by three sisters, Sister Eleanor Ann, S.E.C. of Wilmette, IL, Joan Thommes of Omaha, Ne, and Sister Alice Mary, S.E. C. of Wilmette, IL; a sister-in-law, Lynne Wetzel of Sioux City, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward, Mary and Anna Ortmann; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Anne and G.L. "Bart" Wetzel; his siblings and their spouses, Cyril (Rosemary) Ortmann, Irene (Clarence) Buetel, Ethel (Paul) Homan; brothers-in-law, Bill Thommes, Jack Wetzel and Bill (Patsy) Wetzel; and always close to his heart, his beautiful great-granddaughter named Charley Jo Brewer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to All Saints Parish or Gehlen Catholic Schools.