Barbara LeeAnn (Herron) Orthman was born in Dallas, TX, on July 17, 1948, to L G and Fanny Lou (Kirkman) Herron. Barb was the second child, following Delores, and preceding Nancy Jean and Kathy. Barb attended grade school in Denver, CO, and high school in Houston, TX. In 1967, Barb married Bill Leon Head in Crosby, TX. Barb was thrilled when Cheryall Renee was born in 1969. In 1970, the couple was blessed with another beautiful baby girl, Dawn Rachelle, however she passed away in 1971 due to SIDS. Retha Kimberly Anne was born in 1972. And, Billy Leon, followed in 1973. In 1974, Bill and Barb divorced so she trained and became a welder. Barb welded for Northern Pacific Railroad in Houston, TX, and then moved to Colstrip, MT, for work. Barb moved to Sanders and worked as a welder on a farm outside Hysham, MT. Clayton Orthman was the foreman.
Clay and Barb started dating and were married on Valentines’ Day of 1975. They lived in Hysham for several years, and Barb worked at the restaurant, until they purchased the Prairie Dinner, at Exit 49, in Custer, MT. Between running the bar and restaurant, Clay and Barb rescued animals from the Humane Society, much to the kids delight, and then found the animal’s forever homes. In 1985, they returned to Hysham and Barb decided she would start a Little League Baseball Team. Barb obtained uniforms, equipment, players, and achieved her goal when the team went to bat. Her legacy to Hysham is her Little League Baseball dream. Barb started college at The Southern Baptist College in Billings, and continued taking classes at MSU-Billings. During this time, Barb worked for Living Independently For Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT). In 1989, they moved to Tullock Creek, MT, to Sunlight Ranch. Barb used her father’s Texas bar-be-que pit to start a deli in Hardin. However, the family was shattered when Billy, 17, was shot after gathering diamond willow canes outside of Hardin. Though he was flown to Billings, Billy died February 11, 1991. Clay and Barb returned to Hysham where they could be surrounded by family. In 1991, Cheryall blessed Barb with her first grandchild, Blayne. In 1993, Barb was blessed again when Cheryall presented her with Christian. In 1996, Barb got her first grand-daughter, Jamie, from Cheryall. In 1998, Barb started working for CMCD, Inc., as an advocate for eastern Montana’s disadvantaged population. About 2002, Barb was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, she still remained active and visited with friends every day. In 2006, Barb started volunteering for Action for Eastern Montana’s State Health Insurance Program. As a SHIP counselor, Barb checked the Medicare and other insurance bills for errors for her elderly clients to prevent and report fraud. She continued volunteering for Action for Eastern Montana until 2011. Her health started deteriorating, however early fall 2016, Barb started improving and feeling better.
Early morning on December 3, 2016, Barb’s heart started acting up, the ambulance had been called, and Clay was quietly talking to her when her head softly slipped down and she passed away. Resuscitation was tried, but Barb didn’t respond.
Barb Orthman (68) is survived by Clayton of Hysham, MT.; her daughter Cheryall (Thomas) Noragon of Everett, WA, and their children; her daughter Retha ‘Kim’ (Paul) Jarvis of Rapid City, SD; her sister, Nancy (James) Harmon of Three Forks, MT; and Guy Nedbalek—brother-in-law of Etoile, TX. Barb was preceded in death by her children: Dawn Rachelle and Billy; her parents: L G and Fanny; and her sisters: Delores and Kathy.
Funeral services are provided by Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home on Friday, 11:00 am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hysham. Viewing will be Thursday, December 8, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth, and from Friday, December 9, from 10:00 till the funeral at the Catholic Church.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday December 8, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Visitation
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Friday December 9, 2016
St Joseph Catholic Parish
Hysham, MT 59038
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Friday December 9, 2016
St. Joseph Catholic Church
206 Orchard Ave
Hysham, MT 59038
Graveside Service
Friday December 9, 2016
Memorial Vale Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Hysham, MT 59038
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday December 8, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Visitation
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Friday December 9, 2016
St Joseph Catholic Parish
Hysham, MT 59038
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Friday December 9, 2016
St. Joseph Catholic Church
206 Orchard Ave
Hysham, MT 59038
Graveside Service
Friday December 9, 2016
Memorial Vale Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Hysham, MT 59038
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Tameka says
To the family: May you find comfort in knowing that God is close to the brokenhearted and there will be a resurrection.
-Psalms 34:18; Acts 24:15
Haines family says
George and I offer to you dear Clayton and family our condolences at your loss of your dear wife, mother, and grandmother. May God truly hold your hands and love on you at this time of your life.
Butch and Caprice says
Clayton, Ray and family, Caprice and I are sorry to hear of the loss of your wife and mother. In are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. May the grace of God hold and comfort you.
Earl and Shawn Mitchell says
Clayton, you’re in our thoughts and prayers.