Obit: Ortwig, Myrtle I. (1928 – 2018)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ortwig, Smith, Turczyn, Stark, Benzschawel, Schultz, Brockway, Richardson, Nowak, Plaskey, Springer, Pushee, Curran

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 31 Jan 2018

Ortwig, Myrtle I. (28 AUG 1928 – 24 JAN 2018)

Myrtle I. Ortwig, 89, formerly of Greenwood, passed away at the House of the Dove in Marshfield, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 2, at Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood. Rev. Geoff Smith will officiate and burial will follow in the Greenwood City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be William Benzschawel, Nicholas Benzschawel, James Schultz, Andrew Turczyn, Theodore Turczyn and Stephen Stark. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 1 p.m. until time of service.

Myrtle Irene Richardson was born on Aug. 28, 1928, in Zion, Ill., the daughter of Harry and Mildred (nee Brockway) Richardson. She was raised and received her education in Zion and graduated from Zion-Benton High School in 1946. After high school, she worked in the general office of Zion Industries. Myrtle married Samuel B. Ortwig on Dec. 21, 1949, in Zion. They moved to Greenwood in 1959 and farmed until 1979. She also worked at Thorp Finance in Thorp for a time. Myrtle spent most of her life as a homemaker, farmwife, and taking care of children. She was a former member of the Loyal Free Methodist Church and the Clark County Homemakers. Myrtle had many interests, but especially loved making quilts, but thoroughly enjoyed many other creative endeavors like knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, reading, baking and gardening. Needless to say, she did not like to be bored or have idle hands. Myrtle was also very interested in healthy living, organic gardening, and vitamins, before they became main stream. She also enjoyed her years of teaching Sunday School and sharing her love of the Lord.

She will be dearly missed by her six children: Jacqueline Nowak of Sussex, Samuel “Bruce” (Karen) Ortwig of Cannon Beach, Ore., Kathleen (Stephen) Stark of Appleton, Janette Schultz of Loyal, Daniel (Crystal) Ortwig of Elkton, Ore., and Rebecca (Andrew) Plaskey of Loyal; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; numerous step grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one sister: Marjorie Springer of Bradenton, Fla.; one brother: Glenn (Elsie) Richardson of Beach Park, Ill.; one sister-in-law: Rachel Richardson of Chippewa Falls; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Samuel, on Feb. 6, 2002; one son: David Allen Ortwig; one grandson: Aaron Ortwig; one son-in-law: Dale Schultz; two sisters: Ethel Pushee and Gladys Curran; and two brothers: Ernest and Earl Richardson.

In lieu of flowers, Myrtle’s family asks that memorials be made to House of the Dove, or the ALS Society.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.