Phyllis Gene Hart Ortgies Oct. 22, 1942 – Aug. 5, 2024

          Phyllis Gene Hart Ortgies, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, passed away of natural causes on Aug. 5, 2024, at her home in Redmond, Ore. She was 81 years old.

    Phyllis was born on October 22, 1942, in Anamosa, Iowa, to Robert and Muriel Hart. Phyllis spent her early years in Anamosa where she attended Country School Anderson #6 and graduated from Anamosa High School in 1961. As a high school student, she was an active member of the Saddle Club and earned the title of Rodeo Queen in 1958. Her passion for the equestrian lifestyle was evident in her love for riding horses in parades with her uncle, Merle Hart, and in her enjoyment of barrel racing on her favorite horse, Target.

    On June 22, 1962, Phyllis married John Ortgies at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa. In 1963, with the support of John’s parents, they purchased their first farm in Cass Center, Iowa. They had four children, Phillip, Valerie, Joni, and Anthony, while residing in Iowa. In December 1982, the family moved to Proctor, Mont., and later relocated to Polson, Mont., in 2005. In 2015, they moved to Redmond, Ore., to enjoy their retirement years together.

    Phyllis’s dedication to her family was matched only by her love for her community. While living in Iowa, she pursued nursing at Mercy Hospital and worked in the labor and delivery unit at Anamosa Hospital. She was also an active 4-H leader and advisor, volunteered at St. Paul Lutheran Church, and was a member of the Cass Homemakers and the Cowbells.

    In her later years, Phyllis found great joy in volunteering at a local food bank and attending church in Redmond. She also enjoyed playing cards and took great pleasure in writing and sending Christmas, birthday, and various holiday cards to her dear family and friends.

    Phyllis’s greatest joy came from her family. She and John celebrated 58 years of marriage before his passing in 2020.

    Phyllis is survived by her children, Valerie (Robin) of Elmo, Mont.; Joni (Ruben) of Corvallis, Mont.; and Anthony (Katie) of Redmond, Ore. She was a devoted grandmother to ten grandchildren: Kristin, Shawn, Justin, Alyssa, Ashley, Amanda, Keanna, Abigale, Alaina, and Allison; and a proud great-grandmother to three great-grandchildren: Taylor, Ava, and Finn. She also leaves behind her siblings, Marlys and Leora, and her sister-in-law, Ruth.

    Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, Robert and Muriel; her in-laws, Alvin and Laura; her son, Phillip; her sister Donna; and her brother, Richard. Her passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of her family and friends, who will remember her for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering devotion.

    A celebration of Phyllis’s life will be held in both Oregon and Iowa. The Oregon celebration will be on Aug. 25, 2024, at 2 p.m. The Iowa celebration will be on Oct. 19, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Bow Hunters Club in Anamosa. Refreshments will be provided. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Phyllis’s memory.

    Phyllis Gene Hart Ortgies will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of love and dedication will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.