Maxine Mae Ortman, 89, of Marion, S.D., died Oct. 24, 2020, at Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion. She was born July 1, 1931, to David J. and Lydia (Graber) Mueller on the Christian Mueller homestead in Turner County and grew up in the scenic Turkey Ridge Valley.

On May 25, 1947, she was baptized and received into the membership of Salem Mennonite Church. She later transferred her membership to Salem-Zion Mennonite Church, rural Freeman, where she remained a faithful member until her death.

She received her formal education at District #96, a rural Turner County elementary school, and graduated from Freeman Academy, Freeman Junior College and Sioux Falls College.

On May 24, 1952, she married Delmar Ortman, and they shared 68 years together.

They established their home on the parental Ortman farm north of Marion. To this union three children were born: David Elliott, Jean Yvonne and John Carlton.

For more than 30 years she taught in rural schools and in the Marion and Chamberlain school systems. She retired from teaching in 1996. Music was an important part of her life; she was a pianist and organist and enjoyed singing in choirs. She was involved with Mennonite Women, Freeman Academy Auxillary and Freeman Regional Health Services. She taught Sunday school and Bible school and served as a volunteer at the Et Cetera Shop.

Survivors include her husband, Delmar; son David (Ann Marchand) Ortman; daughter Jean Detrich; and son John (Linda) Ortman; her brother, Bruce Mueller; her sister, Harriet Kaufman; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Elva Mueller; a brother-in-law, Elrod Kaufman; and a son-in-law, Karl Detrich.

A memorial service is being planned for 2021. Memorial contributions may be given to Freeman Academy.