Garnet Bortnem Otterness
October 22, 2019 ~ July 9, 2008
Otterness, Garnet Bortnem, 88, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2008. Garnet and her twin brother Glenn, were born on October 22, 1919 in Volga, Brookings County South Dakota, to John and Carrie (Overskei) Bortnem. Both her maternal and paternal grandparents were Norwegian pioneers, and were among the first settlers in Lake and Brookings Counties. She was one of 13 children raised on the family homestead. She graduated from Volga high school, attended Augustana Lutheran College and taught in the same one-room school house as her mother had. She lived and worked in California, Florida, and New York City before settling in Wichita with her husband, Lyle Otterness, to raise her family. Garnet worked as a full-time mom, real estate agent and after her retirement she was a full-time grandma and caregiver for her Wichita grandchildren, which gave her great purpose and joy. Her challenges in life were no match for her strength and devotion to her family. “Mas” love of poetry, the arts and nature lives on in each of us. Preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Orlo, Loyd, Glenn, and Ninus Bortnem; sisters, Alvera Berg, Avis Dumler, Jenetta Milfs Jacobsen. Garnet is survived by her brother, Victor Bortnem, Hendrick, MN; sisters, Alice Kean, Brookings, SD, Irene Barrett, San Leandro, CA, Edith Gibbons, Volga, SD, Lois Degeest , Winona, MN; son, Tom Otterness (Coleen Fitzgibbon) N.Y.C., NY; stepson, Paul (Barbara) Albany, CA; daughters, Kristin Depew (Howard) Virginia City Highlands, NV, Laurie Nitschke (George) New Ipswich, NH, Susan Otterness-Bachman (Jim) Wichita, KS and Lisa Miller (Dennis) Overland Park, KS; grandchildren, Noah Laredo, Kelley Wilson, Samantha and Logan Miller, Angela Nitschke, Kelly Fitzgibbon Otterness, William and Sophie Bachman. Visitation with the family 5:00 - 7:00 P.M., Friday, July 11 and memorial service 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 12, both at Downing Lahey East Mortuary. Service and burial at 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 14, Lake Campbell Lutheran Church, Volga, SD. Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, SD is in charge of additional services. Memorials have been established with Arts Partners, (supporting the arts in public schools) 201 North Water, S-100, Wichita, KS 67202 and the American Diabetes Association, 837 South Hillside, Wichita, KS 67211.
Additional services: 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 14, 2008 at Lake Campbell Lutheran Church, Volga, S.D.
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Kris and Family: It has been many years since I’ve seen your mother but will always remember her as a very strong woman and a driving force in your family. I am very sorry for your loss and know how hard this time can be. I lost Dad last year and Mom passed away June 15 of this year. It’s been a long time since we have seen each other but please feel free to contact me, I am living in Tucson and don’t get back to Wichita very often. Once again am so sorry to hear about Ma.
Tom, sorry to learn of the passing of your mother, I always remember her as being a strong women & your house as being a place where everyone was welcome. My dad passed years ago and I still think of him every day. Focus on the good times you shared with your mom, I know she is proud of you and your accomplishments. Take care Tom.
To all the Otterness family, especially my dear friend since Kindergarten, Tom. I cannot begin to tell you how deeply saddened I am in learning of the loss of your beloved mother, Garnet. Her devotion to her family, her strength, her courage, her determination to raise 6 children whom would become productive members of our society whom would respect their fellow human being, as did she, whom would not take advantage of any of them, as she didn’t. Her caring, her loving ways, her soft but firm grasp on each of you as you grew up under her steadfast watch. Her freedom to let each of you find your own strengths in a world that clamors for conformity. Her openess, her love. Your home was my home 24/7 whether Tom was home or not. I always enjoyed my visits with your Mom over the many many memories that we all have in growing up at your house. She was a very unique person who walked proudly and strongly, yet carved such a sweet and gentle path in her wake. I grieve with each of you in this very profound loss and my deepest sympathies are for each of you in the time of sorrow ahead. I do rejoice in having known your Mom so well. It has been just more than 50 years that I have known your Mom………she was, and will always be, the sweet woman that I met in kindergarten around 1958. My love to each of you. This is a deeply profound loss for all who knew your ‘Ma’.