Memorial
Lawrence Stuart Ortgies, 84, of Cedar Rapids passed away on Saturday October 10, 2020 on the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice unit at St. Luke’s Hospital following a brief illness.
Due to COVID 19 a private family service will be held at Cedar Memorial.
Larry was born on December 30, 1935 in rural Jones County near Anamosa Iowa, the son of Louis and Dena Shafer Ortgies.
He graduated from Anamosa High School and went on to marry Arlene Allen, the love of his life, on June 5, 1955. Larry enjoyed making wooden bird houses, “tinkering” around the house and taking care of his dog. Larry worked in the masonry construction field working for various general contractors. He finished his career as a salesman for Stetson Builders, Inc.
He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, five sisters; Berdena, Lara, Dorothy, Minnie and Helen and one brother, Pete.
Larry is survived by a sister Wilma McKinstry of Washington, Iowa; a son Cal (Kandy) Ortgies of Cedar Rapids; two grandsons Chris (Katie) Ortgies of Cedar Rapids, and Sean (Kelsey) Ortgies of Minneapolis Minnesota; four great grandchildren George, Prudence, Fredrick and James.
Our family is very fortunate for the care he received at Grand Living Monarch Living Community, the Palliative Care Unit at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics and at the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit at St Luke’s Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association.