Francis A. Wortmann

Francis A. Wortmann, age 95 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at the Arbor Care Center in Hartington. Private family Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating.  Burial will be at the St. Michael’s cemetery in Hartington with military rites by the Hartington VFW Post #5283.  There will be a private visitation for the family.  A public viewing without family present will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Saturday, May 9, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:15 a.m.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington. You may watch a live stream of the funeral service by going to https://www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live/ Pallbearers will be his six sons, Charles, Anthony, Ronald, Frederick, Joseph, and Randall Wortmann.  Honorary pallbearers will be Francis’ grandchildren and great grandchildren. Francis Alphonse Wortmann was born on October 10, 1924 to Anton and Mary (Schnuettgen) Wortmann on the family farm. This was his home for 63 years. He was baptized, made his First Holy Communion, and was confirmed at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Bow Valley, NE. He attended Bunker Hill school for eight years. After school, he started to work on the family farm and took over management at the age of 22 when his father died. Francis served in the Army for one year and served in the Philippines and Korea. On June 23, 1948, Francis married Irene Klug. They lived on the farm for 40 years and then moved into their new home in Hartington on May 21, 1988. Francis served as a Parish Trustee, was on the East Catholic School Board, the Parish Council, and the Cedar Catholic School Board. He was also a lector and an EME for the Bow Valley Parish. Francis was a 70-year member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, a 4-H leader and was on the Bunker Hill School Board. He was a member of the National Farmers Organization and the Center of Rural Affairs. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and the Hartington VFW Post #5283. Francis loved farming, gardening, woodworking, and volunteering for the Senior Center. He enjoyed socializing, playing cards and games. He held a Holy Hour of Adoration and was a rosary leader. He was also the rain reporter in Hartington for the Norfolk Daily News. Francis is survived by his wife, Irene; 10 children, Charles (Tina) Wortmann of Lincoln NE, Anthony (Mary) Wortmann of Stanton NE, Ronald (Danette) Wortmann of Hartington NE, Sharon (Perry) Klein of Hot Springs SD, Charlotte (David) Reifert of Norfolk NE, Frederick Wortmann of Norfolk NE, Geralda (Richard) Heikes of Hartington NE, Joseph (Sue) Wortmann of Raymond NE, Susan (Dan) Thomas of Council Bluffs IA, Randall (Marla) Wortmann of Hartington NE; son-in-law Glen Kreikemeier of Dodge NE, daughter-in-law, Carol Wortmann of Naples FL; 36 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Anna Wortmann of Hartington NE, Millie Sternhagen of Tabor SD, Yvonne Klug of Norfolk NE and Doris Klug of St. Helena NE; many nieces and nephews. Francis was preceded in death by his parents; a son David; a daughter Rose Kreikemeier; a daughter-in-law Connie Wortmann; brothers, Rudolph Wortmann, Msgr. Edgar Wortmann, August Wortmann; sisters, Elvira Kathol, Theodora Wuebben, Eleanor Pinkelman and Josephine Olinger.  

Funeral Service Recording