Ivan Robert Orthman, age 77, of Miles City passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at the Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings.
Ivan was born on April 21, 1945 in Miles City, Montana, the son of Ruby Mae (Ledbetter) and Carl Martin Orthman III on the family farm at Kinsey, Montana. Ivan was named after his uncle Ivan Ledbetter but for some reason his nickname was Bobby and his big brothers nickname was Buddy so we always knew if someone was speaking about Bob or Bud, they would be family, since very few people outside of family called them by their nicknames. Except for a brief time, when they all lived in Minneapolis, they lived on the family farm at Kinsey and attended school at the Kinsey grade school through the 8th grade and then rode the bus to Miles City to attend Custer County High School, graduating in 1964. Upon graduation he enlisted in the Montana National Guard where he served for many years. When his basic training was completed, he came home to Kinsey and farmed in partnership with his father and brother, raising sugar beets and various other crops and raising animals, cows, sheep and pigs to name a few.
Ivan met Donna Gunderson in April 1966 and went out for the first time on his birthday, which was the start of a good life. They were married on November 12, 1966 and were married for 56 years. They continued with the family farm till 1983 when they moved to Miles City, when he started working for several years as a cook for Holy Rosary Hospital and later went to work for Pine Hills School, where he retired. On December 30, 1969, his first son Jason Robert was born followed by Joanne Joy in 1971 and Jeremy Wayne in 1976. During his years at Kinsey, in addition to farming, and raising livestock he was active as a 4-H leader. When he could find free time, he loved to fish and spent as much time as he could doing that whit family and friends. There were many happy times at the river with good friends. When the family moved to Miles City his sons became active in football and wrestling and his daughter Joanne became active in speech and drama and Majorettes. Because of his work schedule he never was able to watch his dis activities as much as he would like but he was very proud of each of them and spoke often, in later years of how he missed so much of what they were involved in because of work.
Ivan spent his final year as a resident of the Eagle Cliff Nursing Home in Billings.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, daughter Joanne, two very good friends, Bill Kransky ad Dick Hobbs. Ivan is survived by his wife Donna, mother-in-law Laura Erickson; Jason Orthman and his wife Tracy and grandson Jack; son-in-law Josh Livingston and granddaughter Jenna and her husband Clark Hodges; a grandson Joseph Livingston and Jeremy Orthman and his wife Nicole and granddaughter Emma.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 28, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday December 29, 2022
Trinity Lutheran Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 28, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday December 29, 2022
Trinity Lutheran Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Mary Hurr says
Donna, We are so sorry for your loss! We hold you in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary, Tim and Sam Hurr
Beth Ann Johnson Wiedeman says
Donna, please accept my condolences on your loss. May your memories provide you comfort during this time of grief.
Mollie (Ostendorf) Phipps says
So sorry for your loss I will keep the whole orthmab family in my prayers!
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
My sincerest sympathy to you, Donna. To lose your daughter and husband so close together, it must be unbearable. You will get through this, but it will be hard. Reach out to your friends and relatives for support.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles says
Dear Donna, You will be in my prayers. Sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles
Carrie Beach Etherington says
Ivan was a wonderful man. I loved working with him at Pine Hills. He always had a great attitude and smile.
Sue matthews says
I was shocked to see where you had lost both Ivan and Joann. Please let me know if there is any thing i can do!
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy
Ruben and June Opp says
Donna and remaining family, Our hearts and prayers go out for you in the loss of losing the love of your life and a daughter so very close together. We pray God’s blessing,that he will bless and comfort you as you greave the loss of two you dearly love.
Love Ruben and June Opp
Diane M Welbes says
Donna, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. loss
Marilyn & Jim May says
We send you our deepest love and sympathy Donna.
So sorry for your huge losses so close together.
May God give you His strength and peace.
Marilyn & Jim May
Lynn ziebarth says
So sorry Donna. Of any comfort may, Joanna and Ivan be together. So sorry Great family.
Sandy McFarland Hays says
Donna and Family, I am so sorry for the loss of Ivan and your daughter. I am sending my sympathy, blessings and many prayers to help you through.
Doug and Diane Ellingson says
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
Joseph Leggett says
Very sorry to hear about Ivan. He was a great guy and I enjoyed the time I got to spend with him.
Fern Carey Griggs says
Thinking of the Orthman families so sorry for your loses, a old neighbor from Kinsey many years ago. Fern Carey
Betty Vail says
Donna, to loose both Ivan and your daughter the same week takes a big chunk out of your heart and life. Be comforted by your happy memories.
Patty West says
Donna, I am so sorry for your losses. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this devastating time.
Karson and Marie Farnum Kluver says
Donna and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sandy and Pat Anderson says
Donna and Family. We’re so sorry for your losses. We’ll keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Renee Corneliusen says
Donna and family, This loss is unfathomable but we cannot question God’s plan. Our live and sympathies to you all.
Susan Findlater Dow says
Donna,
I have thought of you so often since I heard about your husband and daughter. As a widow, I understand how painful the loss of a spouse can be but adding the loss of a child so close must be unbelievably painful. I am so very sorry .
Shannon Holmen says
Donna, so sorry to hear what you are going through. My, my. Ivan was a great guy and your daughter was so sweet. Here’s to great memories.
Cheryl Tonn says
Donna I cannot imagine the grief you must be enduring! I pray for peace and healing for your broken heart!
Darla and Norm Timmons says
Donna, so sorry about Josie and Ivan.
I can’t even imagine what you are going through. We wish you peace and healing.
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Donna,
So very sorry for your loss of Ivan and your daughter. Praying for You all at this very difficult time.
Carla Schoppelrey says
Donna,
So sorry for the loss of your husband and your daughter may God comfort you during this painful time. Our thoughts and prayers to you and you family.
Doug and Carla Schoppelrey
Teresa Geib Bacon says
Donna, I am so sorry to hear this news. You and your family are in our prayers and thoughts, i pray the Lord holds you all close during this time. God Bless Everyone
Rita George says
So sorry Donna, praying for you and Gods comfort in your loss of family.
Harriet Blumhorst Graf says
In John 14:27, the words of Jesus say, “Peace I leave with you,… not as the world gives, give I to you…..”, and may that peace be with you and your family at this time. We don’t always understand timing of the Lord, but can be assured His ways are far beyond our own. What a blessing to know that Ivan and Josie are now rejoicing together in heaven.
Ricahrd E Meidinger says
Sorry for your loss of your husband and daughter.
In the KInsey days I spent alot of time with the Orthman boys. Alot of memories.
May the rest in peace. Your in my thoughts and prayers. Richard
Judy Shoen says
We are so sorry for your loss of your daughter and husband. We are praying God will hold you in his arms and give you strength to get through such a sad time.
We love you and will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers
Love Judy and Ron
Judy Shoen says
Donna and family
We are so sorry for your loss of your daughter and husband. We are praying God will hold you in his arms and give you strength to get through such a sad time.
We love you and will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers
Love Judy and Ron
Brady Stone says
Donna and family
Ivan and Jose were both so very kind. They were a big part of my youth growing up in Kinsey. Ivan was a gentle soul who walked the walk and treated people how he wanted to be treated. God bless all of the Orthmans for sharing their family with the Stones. It was a much richer life for it.